Socio-Economic Conditions of Home-Based Working Women: A Qualitative Study in Hyderabad, Sindh

This research paper focuses on socio-economic conditions of home-based working women in Hyderabad Division, of Sindh Pakistan. Main objectives of this research are (i) to analyze the Socio-economic condition of home-based working women (ii) to assess the poverty and home-based work (iii) to find out the illiteracy and home-based work (iv) to investigate the role of handicrafts and home-based work in cultural and economic development (v) to unearth the Sindhi culture of handicrafts in Hyderabad Division. To achieve research objectives qualitative research approach is adopted and data is collected by four case studies in Hyderabad division. All cases are selected randomly and analyzed by using thematic analysis method. Present study concluded that researched area is rich in handicrafts business. Women engaged themselves in home-based work due to poverty, unemployment and poor financial conditions of their families. This business has very low profit but female preferred this work due less skills and education required to carry handicrafts business. Home-based workers felt empowered due to having their own income and took part in decision making. In last it is recommended for policy makers and government agencies to give priority to this business because it has potential. It is necessary for economic development of families, culture and country.

Female Genital Mutilation and its Medicalizationa Qualitative Study Among Healthcare Professionals and Community Leaders in Kisii County

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), female genital mutilation (FGM) includes all procedures that involve removal of the female genitalia and / or injury to the female genital organs for cultural and / or any other nonmedical reason. The practice poses serious threats to women’s health hence violating their health and rights. FGM, also referred to as genital cutting, is deeply rooted amongst the Abagusii community of Kenya, with 84% of the girls cut as per Kenya Demographic Health Survey report of 2014 and the medicalized form slowly replacing the traditional cut. Overall in Kenya, the medicalized form stands at 14% as at 2014. Although FGM is illegal in Kenya, and the existing strategies by government through various laws and policies to curb FGM notwithstanding, its prevalence among the Abagusii community remains unacceptably high and medicalization seems to be increasing. Understanding the experiences and perspectives amongst healthcare professionals and community leaders in this community, will help inform new strategies to curb the practice. Objectives: Primary objective: To explore the experiences and perspectives of health professionals and community leaders towards FGM and its medicalization in Kisii county. Secondary objectives: To establish the experiences and perspectives among health professionals and community leaders on factors that contribute to the continued practice of FGM in Kisii county and secondly, to elicit views of health professionals and community leaders on new strategies that if used, could help curb the medicalization of FGM in Kisii county. Methods: A qualitative study using a focused ethnography approach was conducted to explore the experiences and perspectives of health professionals and community leaders towards FGM and its medicalization in Kisii county. Sampling was purposive. Twenty-six participants (18 health professionals and eight community leaders) from two sub-counties of Kisii County were recruited. Signed informed consent was acquired from all participants. Data collection was done using audio-recorded semi-structured interviews. All audiorecordings were transcribed in English. A thematic approach was used for analysis supported by NVivo version 12 plus software. Results: A total of 18 healthcare professionals (six doctors, six clinical officers, six nurses), eight community leaders (two representatives from local community-based organizations relevant to the study topic of interest, two religious leaders and four chiefs/assistant chiefs) were interviewed. Among health workers, doctors demonstrated more understanding on FGM compared to the other healthcare professionals. All the study participants demonstrated little knowledge on existing laws and policies. The general attitude towards FGM