Half of the world’s population, i.e. women, and one third population of world, i.e. children, are vulnerable in biological sense. Women and children become the most neglected segments of population during natural disasters. This conceptual paper provides an insight about the specific needs and problems of children and women before, during and after a disaster. Social vulnerabilities are more complex and critical to understand, which enhance the intensity of exploitation, vulnerability and risk for women and children. Considering special needs and provision of equal services are main concerns in rehabilitation. Primary emergencies always bring secondary emergencies if they are not properly managed and administered. Effects of disasters can be minimized by enhancing the coping capacities of vulnerable segments and by equipping them with all necessary preparedness and rescue skills and privileges.
The purpose of this study was to find out the advantages and disadvantages of smartphone usage in the academic life of Social Work students at the University of the Punjab, Lahore. The quantitative research methodology was adopted in this study. The survey of Social Work students from the university was done by employing purposive sampling technique. Students having smartphones were part of this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 203 Social Work students of the University of the Punjab. The SPSS was used to analyze the data among the smartphone users. The Social Work students used smartphones not primarily for academic purposes but for social activities. It also operated as a learning aid, which was absolutely essential to students which made them capable to find quick information and got their time saved. Smartphones were also seen more as a distraction in the classroom rather than learning aid as smartphone produce distraction in the classroom and this distraction diverted students’ attention in the class. Students multitasking and non-academic usage of smartphone produced negative impact on students’ learning and resultantly lower their academic performance. Smartphone usage seemed great if smartphone is capitalized to achieve the benefits associated with its use; resultantly the Social Work students can possibly enhance their academic learning that may lead them to success in their academic life.
The rapid development in 21st century not only gave birth to urbanization but also accompanied emergence of slums in cities. Now days, one of the phenomena grabbing serious attention of social scientists is the association between street – begging and poverty not just in developing countries but also in the developed ones. This research paper intends to analyze the relationship that occurs between street – begging and poverty as a social issue, leading towards its prevention approaches. The study site was Sialkot, a city of province Punjab, Pakistan. It was descriptive cross – sectional and a quantitative approach in its nature. For primary data collection, descriptive survey and designed questionnaire was administered to One hundred and thirty respondent street – beggars chosen randomly from various public places in city. The data analysis phased employed simple descriptive statistics. Finally, an attempt has been made by recommending in form of a road map in order to prevent the city’s discomfort. Findings reveal that majority of beggars are poor, illiterate and needy. They make both ends meet by begging at several spaces and are deprived of generous helping hands. Moreover, begging is a consequence of several factors i.e. poverty, parental loss, physical challenges, unemployment – to name just a few. Furthermore, the recommendations include incorporation of this socio – economically marginalized group in Pakistan’s anti – poverty program. This section is in dire need of employment opportunities provided by Sialkot’s industrialist community in order to desist them from indulging in beggary. The local government authorities and policy planners must embrace multi – targeted approaches in the practice reactive interventions.
This paper aims to explore the role of professional social workers in the social inclusion of disabled persons in Pakistan. This paper highlights the present scenario of social work practice with the disabled community and how professional social workers are bringing social inclusion of disabled persons by working effectively in the field. The data for this study was collected through qualitative approach. The semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data through in-depth interviews from thirteen professional social workers who are working for the social inclusion of persons with disabilities in Pakistani community. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The data revealed that social workers have enough abilities to create a bridge between disabled persons with their community. There are different sources present in the community which can be utilized by professional social workers to enable disabled persons to live a normal life. Unawareness of common people and government towards the roles of social workers has been observed in this study. Enhancement and encouragement of social work practice in the field of disability is particularly needed.
The current study is a quantitative study to understand the connotation of medical social work set up in Pakistan. The analysis is conducted through survey method by considering all medical social services units established in healthcare settings across Pakistan. The structured questionnaire has been devised to apply as a tool for data collection. The study found that the setup of medical social work is mainly established in the province of Punjab in Pakistan, whereas, only a few projects were working in the other regions of Pakistan. However, male medical social workers are more than female medical social workers in this profession. Further majority of medical social workers were of age less than 40 years and the majority of medical social workers were married. The analysis has established that the majority of medical social workers did not have to enrich their background of specialization, research, and training in the field of medical social work. The medical social work setup is mainly established in government hospitals in Pakistan. The job experience of the majority of the medical social workers in the field of medical social work was 5 years or below. Further nature of the appointment of the majority of medical social workers was permanent. The infrastructure like staff, furniture, and contingent is provided by the administrative department in the majority of the cases, however, the office is provided by hospital administration. The hospital administration has not integrated the services of medical social work into the service delivery mechanism of health care settings. However, the majority of the medical social workers were satisfied with respect to their job and have adequate facilities to perform their official duties. The findings of the analysis have asserted that the medical social workers that vigorously adopt the social casework practices had more beneficiaries of their services in comparison to those who did not adopt these practices.
Children deprived of their primary care are among the most vulnerable segments of the society exposed to violence, exploitation, trafficking, discrimination and all other types of abuse. United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children (1989) acknowledges the rights of such children and hold member states responsible for provision of alternative care considering the best interest of the children in accordance with their national laws. United Nations’ guideline on alternative care were also adopted by UN General Assembly for effective implementation of international instruments regarding the shelter, protection, development, and rehabilitation of children deprived from their primary care. Pakistan, being a member state and signatory to these UN treaties, is bound to reflect the provisions of these international instruments in the domestic policies and execute the same in true letter and spirit. Evidences prove that if not professionally managed, children living and growing up in institutions face difficulties in learning and developing social skills. In Punjab province, different institutions in public & private sectors are providing residential services to children deprived of their primary care. However, the performance of these institutions has been questioned repeatedly due to the constantly reported child abuse cases. Present study aims to explore factors responsible for the current state of affairs by getting views of both practitioners and the beneficiaries. Following a qualitative perspective of research, in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide with management and resident children of childcare institutions. The findings of the study identified multiple policy and administrative issues affecting the working of these institutions and helped in understanding the existing situation of these institutions in Punjab Province. This study will be helpful in determining the needs and issues faced by the case managers as well as the children to serve their best interest.
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