SOCIAL PROTECTION SOURCES AND COPING STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY RELIGIOUS MINORITY WOMEN IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This paper aims at investigating various sources of social protection and coping strategies adopted by minority women in Bahawalpur, Pakistan for reducing economic and social vulnerability. In addition, it also examined adverse effects on the quality of life (QOL) of minority women. There are number of social protection programmes in place, however, they are skewed towards formal sector economy. Religious minorities in Pakistan cannot get benefit from one of the major social protection instruments Zakat because they are ineligible to qualify as right beneficiaries due to restrictions under Islamic laws. Using quantitative method, data were collected from 50 Christian women belonging to Bahawalpur District by using survey questionnaire. The findings revealed that 10% of the respondents were provided social protection benefits by the government. Similarly, 43% of the respondents had to seek help from their immediate family members during economic crisis. Likewise, 28% of the respondents cut back their routine consumption during odd times. The study concludes that absence of appropriate formal social protection programme has resulted into poor QOL of the minority women in Bahawalpur. The study suggests exclusive social protection programme for the minority women for maintaining minimum acceptable QOL when they lose their earning.