Dr Rakhshinda Perveen

  Social entrepreneurship is a modern day social epidemic that is coping with a case of semantics. The terms social entrepreneur and social entrepreneurship were first used in literature in 1953 by H. Bowen in his book, “Social Responsibilities of the Businessman”. The use of these terms started becoming more widespread in the 1980s and 1990s, due to many distinguished promoters of this … [Read more...] about The limitations of social entrepreneurship

Among some of the most viral jargons in the development world, ‘empowerment’ undisputedly remains at the top. There is liberal use and overuse of the word by academics, activists and aid workers, with an equal ease in the context of advancement of women, poverty reduction and community uplift. The extraordinary successful integration of a poorly understood concept or a vaguely defined goal known … [Read more...] about Development and deception

Anti-sexual harassment legislation in Pakistan has fashioned new expectations. The laws against harassment (and other forms of gender based violence as well) can act not only as an emotional consolation, deterrence and a source of compensation to those who can afford a legal battle but also indicate gender responsive governance. Alarmingly, training and legislation are both failing to effectively … [Read more...] about Harassment and bullying after #MeToo

A complex issue like Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) can’t be solved until the public take interest in it. Unfortunately, the efforts required in policy making on this issue in both the public, private sectors are extremely lacking. The outrage that has currently gripped the Country, actually exposes the corrosion of our integrity as a society, as well as a state. The media frenzy … [Read more...] about Time to wake up about abuse

Child abuse and neglect, as per the definition provided by WHO, includes all forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, development or dignity. Within this broad definition, five subtypes can be distinguished — physical abuse; sexual abuse; neglect and negligent treatment; emotional abuse; … [Read more...] about Understanding child abuse

It is a terrifying fact that the most economically vulnerable are much more likely to suffer from various sorts of disabilities. Neither being poor nor being disabled is a crime, but the modern economic system treats these conditions as such – even in developed countries. In spite of the spirit and abilities that disabled people may possess, they are rarely given the opportunity to put them on … [Read more...] about Disdain for disability

South Asia has had eminent women politicians and office bearers. The world’s first woman prime minister was from Sri Lanka who was elected in 1960. The first woman prime minister of the Muslim world was from Pakistan and was elected twice. Bangladesh, Nepal and India have had women head of the states as well. Maldives is an exception as women are banned from holding the highest leadership … [Read more...] about South Asian women in politics

Disclosures that made high profile dignitaries in politics and media uncomfortable, occupied a tangible space in the news in 2017. The media (that is seen by the sufferers as their voice against sexual harassment of women is largely, with exceptions aside) itself is a captive to hegemonic masculinity. This is evident by the under-representation of women in senior cadres, noticeable gender … [Read more...] about A peek into the patriarchal media

Selective amnesia and apathy keeps the development business alive. Bonded labourers, maids, street children, transgenders, disabled, homeless, old, displaced and/or trafficked, people etc. remain mostly marginalised or missed out from the radar of mainstream programs in the society. In Pakistan, the injustices, discrimination and prejudices are affirmed through inaction towards recurring human … [Read more...] about Intervention against gender inequality needed

“Thousands of families of ill-fated Muslims, many of them refugees from Bihar, who chose Pakistan at the time of the partition riots in 1947, were mercilessly wiped out. Women were raped, or had their breasts torn out with specially-fashioned knives. Children did not escape the horror; the lucky ones were killed with their parents”, says Anthony Mascarenhas in a newspaper article titled ‘Genocide’ … [Read more...] about The forgotten Biharis