An Interview Study into the Effects of Winter Migration on Girls Education in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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Abstract
In order to analyse the role played by winter migration on girls’ schooling in upper Swat District, Pakistan, the paper employed qualitative methods and emphasized particular areas including Gabraal, Lai Kot, Kalam, Matiltan and Usho. This research examines how cultural norms interact with deficiencies in infrastructure and bureaucratic impediments that resulted in educational chaos. Laikot and Gabbral are places with severe weather conditions due to close proximity to glaciers hence they experience seasonal movements to urban areas. In these areas annual movement is usually observed from November to April. This consequently results in disrupting the education of children particularly girls. The interviews data indicate that the winter migration is not the sole factor influencing girls' education. Upon analysing the data, it was discovered that other variables, such as patriarchal mind-set and cultural expectations also play a role in shaping girls' education in the region. The analysis indicates that the educational infrastructure provided by the government in these places is inadequate. As a result, the proportion of females receiving education significantly decreases to a concerning level, with just 4-5 girls having completed school up to grade 5. Significantly, there were no girls who advanced to the middle school level. The tradition of early marriage is popular among young girls aged between 14 and 17 years which also limit their chance of attending school. Semi structured interview based on interactive observation has been used in this research to get the viewpoints of local inhabitants both male and female who think girls’ education may be a source of disturbance. They have an underlying fear that acquiring knowledge might make them deviant or rebel against these cultural norms.
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