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FCCU holds Conference on Marginalized Populations

FCCU Conference on Marginalized Populations

The Department of Sociology at the Forman Christian College University (FCCU) continued its annual tradition by hosting a conference focused on marginalized populations. Researchers presented their studies, offering key recommendations across three main themes: (I) Religious Minorities and Exclusion; (II) Health-seeking Barriers and Patient Safety; and (III) Agency in the Political and Informal Sectors on November 29, 2023.

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Dr Fatima Syeda and Dr Qurratulaen Liaqat, from the English Department, underscored the vital role of literature and fiction in shedding light on challenges faced by minorities, specifically highlighting issues within the Dalit community and among Christian women. Dr Ayra Inderias, from the Political Science Department, delved into the Jaranwala crisis, addressing barriers to recovery and reconstruction that necessitate collaborative efforts from both the state and civil sectors.

Dr Shahid Rasheed and Dr Julie Flowerday, representing the Sociology Department, discussed the situation of the Hindi community and the fault lines in the Kashmir dispute. Their recommendations included preserving Hindu temples and fostering improved dialogue between Pakistan and India.

Dr Ain ul Momina and Dr Shazia Ilyas from the Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences, respectively, examined the challenges faced by invisible groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically focusing on operating department practitioners and waste workers. They advocated for enhanced support for these groups, emphasizing the importance of patient safety practices and public health concerns.

Dr Anum Muzammil, from the Mass Communications Department, and Ms Tehniyat Fatima, from the Sociology Department, shed light on environmental challenges faced by aging women in urban slums and Afghan cancer patients seeking healthcare services in Pakistan. Their recommendations centered around the improvement of the primary health sector and the medical tourism industry.

FCCU alumni students and researchers Haider Ali and Shezad Ali addressed the lack of agency afforded to women in Gilgit Baltistan and the Hazara Shia community residing in gated communities. They argued for increased political representation to empower these communities in advocating for their rights. Dr Bushra Usman, from the Business Department, discussed home-based women entrepreneurs, offering key suggestions for their inclusion in the formal sector to access employment and social security benefits.

The conference opened with an address from conference patron Dean of Social Sciences Dr Sikandar Hayat and concluded with remarks from FCCU Rector Dr Jonathan Addleton. Both emphasized the diverse efforts of FCCU faculty across departments in conducting impactful research on marginalized groups, contributing to the goal of building a more inclusive society in Pakistan.

Related: FCCU celebrates Two Decades of Denationalization

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