maryam Tanwir | University of Cambridge (original) (raw)
Papers by maryam Tanwir
Not Accepting Abuse as the Norm: Local Forms of Institutional Reform to Improve Reporting on Domestic Violence in Punjab, 2019
Gendered social norms are difficult to overcome, due to a lack of consensus among legal, religiou... more Gendered social norms are difficult to overcome, due to a lack of consensus among legal,
religious, and social institutions on the direction that will result in new social norms. In the case
of Pakistan, which ranks sixth on the list of the most dangerous countries for women, it is not
possible to change gendered social norms regarding domestic violence by only focusing on legal
reform since, in its social context, the act of domestic violence is not in itself regarded as a serious
offence. This article explores reform in Punjab, where deeply entrenched legal structural obstacles
and discriminatory gender norms prevent women from accessing justice. The paper draws on a
new framework for influencing changes in individuals’ behaviour to reduce the condoning of
domestic violence. Using a mixed-methods approach the paper introduces a new initiative of
women for institutional reform undertaken by the Strategic Reforms Unit (SRU) in Pakistan, to
examine the role of social norms in normalizing the practice of domestic violence. This initiative
provides an opportunity for examining how these prevalent social norms can be changed by both
improving women’s access to legal processes regarding the registration and prosecution of crimes
as well as addressing public shame associated with the wearing of a tracking device by the
assailant.
This model of institutional reform of the criminal justice system could provide the way
forward to close the large gap between incidents of violence against women (VAW) and the low
level of convictions in many societies. The paper concludes that such institutional reform could be
adapted for use in other countries to comprehensively reduce VAW cases and to increase the
success in prosecution and sentencing of perpetrators of such crimes.
Keywords: domestic violence, Pakistan, gendered norms, judicial reform, institutional reform.
Taylor and francis , 2018
In a rapidly globalizing world, high growth sectors like information technology (IT) hold the key... more In a rapidly globalizing world, high growth sectors like information technology (IT) hold the key to narrow or broaden the gulf between men and women at work. However, there is a serious underrepresentation of women in the technology sector, particularly in leadership roles. This gulf between men and women at work is likely to widen unless immediate action is taken. ICT jobs can provide women with greater opportunities and higher wages, compared to the low-skill jobs that women are often crowded into. Yet, achieving gender neutrality and inclusivity in the IT sector is an uphill task. This paper focuses on the challenges, opportunities and conditions that can be created to facilitate the participation of urban, educated women of Pakistan in the IT sector. Although the empowerment aspects of individualization in the workplace for women are tangible, in Pakistan, there are a number of socio-cultural barriers and an implicit gender bias in education and employment which prevents greater participation of women in the IT sector. The paper also sets out specific recommendations for the government and private sectors to further increase gender inclusivity in employment. In doing so, it draws upon primary research and current behavioral economic insights and makes the case that a multi-sectoral effort involving the private sector, government, and macro-social environment is critical to radically disrupting bias, providing norm-changing solutions, and ensuring rapid gains to the economy from the inclusion of women in the sector.
Extant literature informs that the modern state requires a civil service whose performance is acc... more Extant literature informs that the modern state requires a civil service whose performance is accurately measured, evaluated and subsequently rewarded (or punished). In this paper we use Pakistan as a case study of a country in which the performance evaluation system is obsolete and resistant to change. After analysing literature on the importance of performance management systems in bureaucracies, we evaluate the present structure of the Pakistani performance evaluation system of civil servants and identify its major weaknesses. We then present the results of a unique survey of senior civil servants which informs on how they viewed potential reforms of the current system. Based on this, we present a revised instrument to more accurately measure the performance of Pakistani civil servants, which both adapts the existing instrument while being cognizant of the international best practices. Finally we look at some of the significant political economy factors that could hinder the introduction of a new performance management system.
While achieving economic growth and development are dependent on the performance of the bureaucra... more While achieving economic growth and development are dependent on the performance of the bureaucracy, there is a
growing inability in Pakistan to objectively evaluate this performance. In this article, we examine performance evaluations systems that can be applied to developing
country bureaucracies and find that the best system in the Pakistani context is the SMART performance evaluation system.
We then analyze the present Pakistani system and compare it to an example of a SMART system and find that the disconnect between the actual performance of the civil service and the
measurement of this performance by the performance evaluation report (PER) in Pakistan, has discouraged optimal
performance. The article also looks at the perceptions of senior civil servants themselves on what they perceive as the
shortcomings of the performance evaluation management system in Pakistan as well as their opinions on a potential SMART performance evaluations system. The article recommends an immediate re-evaluation of the present
performance management where the reevaluation
initiatives must be tempered with the realization that the present system has been established not to optimize bureaucratic performance but rather to sustain the present system of patronage and power.
Keywords: Incentive, political capture, merit, service delivery, performance evaluation, civil service, perceptions, Pakistan
Pakistan inherited the British Weberian model at its birth in 1947 (Braibanti, 1966). The Weberia... more Pakistan inherited the British Weberian model at its birth in 1947 (Braibanti, 1966). The
Weberian framework is the basis of the professional code of the Pakistani bureaucracy. The
Framework highlights the importance of gender neutrality towards ensuring impartiality,
promotion of merit and efficiency in organizations. The Pakistani bureaucracy has been
categorized as being Weberian by recent research, and hence should be gender neutral. This
paper examines if the Pakistani bureaucracy is indeed gender neutral. It inspects the gender
norms prevalent in the context of the macro sociocultural environment in Pakistan and finds that
these norms are reflected in women’s position in the bureaucracy. Using the perceptions of male
and female bureaucrats and ministers as symptomatic evidence, the research deliberates on how
the socially determined status hierarchies interact with organizational rules and regulations to
perpetuate gender bias and lack of gender neutrality within the bureaucracy. The paper concludes
by reinforcing that the bureaucracy operates in a larger social and cultural environment, which is
unable to be a socially transformative agent in the case of Pakistan, and hence, is not gender
neutral and by consequence, not Weberian.
Key Words: women, bureaucracy, Pakistan, organizations, social construction
"Although women play a central role in the rural economy through their contribution to the agric... more "Although women play a central role in the rural economy through their contribution to
the agriculture production process, their equitable participation in rural organizations (ROs)
remains minimal. Furthermore their role is decision making and in leadership positions within
these organizations remains negligible. This disproportionate mismatch in participation is not
only detrimental for women but also has negative effects on the household and on the rural
economy. Combining insights from various secondary sources, the paper introduces of a new
conceptual metrics around the discourse of participation. Based on this conceptualization of the
term “participation”, the paper attempts to provide a critical analysis of the current development
initiatives that address gender participation in rural organizations. It examines the multi-faceted
impediments that rural woman in developing countries encounter and informs on the
development initiatives that were catalysts to the rural woman’s participation. The paper finds
that even the best designed development projects that are not cognizant of the impediments that
the rural woman encounter, remain ineffective in promoting the rural woman’s empowerment
and participation."
This paper examines the reasons for the early dominance of the bureaucratic elite in Pakistan and... more This paper examines the reasons for the early dominance of the bureaucratic elite in Pakistan and the downsizing that was brought about by the administrative reforms of 1973. The perceptions of bureaucrats and ministers indicate that loyalty to political establishment is now regarded a crucial requirement in a bureaucrat. These perceptions do not corroborate the view that the growing politicization of the development process is related directly to the level of democratization in Pakistan. The shift from the principle of political neutrality to the practice of political allegiance has affected both the development agenda as well as the very institutions of the country.
Not Accepting Abuse as the Norm: Local Forms of Institutional Reform to Improve Reporting on Domestic Violence in Punjab, 2019
Gendered social norms are difficult to overcome, due to a lack of consensus among legal, religiou... more Gendered social norms are difficult to overcome, due to a lack of consensus among legal,
religious, and social institutions on the direction that will result in new social norms. In the case
of Pakistan, which ranks sixth on the list of the most dangerous countries for women, it is not
possible to change gendered social norms regarding domestic violence by only focusing on legal
reform since, in its social context, the act of domestic violence is not in itself regarded as a serious
offence. This article explores reform in Punjab, where deeply entrenched legal structural obstacles
and discriminatory gender norms prevent women from accessing justice. The paper draws on a
new framework for influencing changes in individuals’ behaviour to reduce the condoning of
domestic violence. Using a mixed-methods approach the paper introduces a new initiative of
women for institutional reform undertaken by the Strategic Reforms Unit (SRU) in Pakistan, to
examine the role of social norms in normalizing the practice of domestic violence. This initiative
provides an opportunity for examining how these prevalent social norms can be changed by both
improving women’s access to legal processes regarding the registration and prosecution of crimes
as well as addressing public shame associated with the wearing of a tracking device by the
assailant.
This model of institutional reform of the criminal justice system could provide the way
forward to close the large gap between incidents of violence against women (VAW) and the low
level of convictions in many societies. The paper concludes that such institutional reform could be
adapted for use in other countries to comprehensively reduce VAW cases and to increase the
success in prosecution and sentencing of perpetrators of such crimes.
Keywords: domestic violence, Pakistan, gendered norms, judicial reform, institutional reform.
Taylor and francis , 2018
In a rapidly globalizing world, high growth sectors like information technology (IT) hold the key... more In a rapidly globalizing world, high growth sectors like information technology (IT) hold the key to narrow or broaden the gulf between men and women at work. However, there is a serious underrepresentation of women in the technology sector, particularly in leadership roles. This gulf between men and women at work is likely to widen unless immediate action is taken. ICT jobs can provide women with greater opportunities and higher wages, compared to the low-skill jobs that women are often crowded into. Yet, achieving gender neutrality and inclusivity in the IT sector is an uphill task. This paper focuses on the challenges, opportunities and conditions that can be created to facilitate the participation of urban, educated women of Pakistan in the IT sector. Although the empowerment aspects of individualization in the workplace for women are tangible, in Pakistan, there are a number of socio-cultural barriers and an implicit gender bias in education and employment which prevents greater participation of women in the IT sector. The paper also sets out specific recommendations for the government and private sectors to further increase gender inclusivity in employment. In doing so, it draws upon primary research and current behavioral economic insights and makes the case that a multi-sectoral effort involving the private sector, government, and macro-social environment is critical to radically disrupting bias, providing norm-changing solutions, and ensuring rapid gains to the economy from the inclusion of women in the sector.
Extant literature informs that the modern state requires a civil service whose performance is acc... more Extant literature informs that the modern state requires a civil service whose performance is accurately measured, evaluated and subsequently rewarded (or punished). In this paper we use Pakistan as a case study of a country in which the performance evaluation system is obsolete and resistant to change. After analysing literature on the importance of performance management systems in bureaucracies, we evaluate the present structure of the Pakistani performance evaluation system of civil servants and identify its major weaknesses. We then present the results of a unique survey of senior civil servants which informs on how they viewed potential reforms of the current system. Based on this, we present a revised instrument to more accurately measure the performance of Pakistani civil servants, which both adapts the existing instrument while being cognizant of the international best practices. Finally we look at some of the significant political economy factors that could hinder the introduction of a new performance management system.
While achieving economic growth and development are dependent on the performance of the bureaucra... more While achieving economic growth and development are dependent on the performance of the bureaucracy, there is a
growing inability in Pakistan to objectively evaluate this performance. In this article, we examine performance evaluations systems that can be applied to developing
country bureaucracies and find that the best system in the Pakistani context is the SMART performance evaluation system.
We then analyze the present Pakistani system and compare it to an example of a SMART system and find that the disconnect between the actual performance of the civil service and the
measurement of this performance by the performance evaluation report (PER) in Pakistan, has discouraged optimal
performance. The article also looks at the perceptions of senior civil servants themselves on what they perceive as the
shortcomings of the performance evaluation management system in Pakistan as well as their opinions on a potential SMART performance evaluations system. The article recommends an immediate re-evaluation of the present
performance management where the reevaluation
initiatives must be tempered with the realization that the present system has been established not to optimize bureaucratic performance but rather to sustain the present system of patronage and power.
Keywords: Incentive, political capture, merit, service delivery, performance evaluation, civil service, perceptions, Pakistan
Pakistan inherited the British Weberian model at its birth in 1947 (Braibanti, 1966). The Weberia... more Pakistan inherited the British Weberian model at its birth in 1947 (Braibanti, 1966). The
Weberian framework is the basis of the professional code of the Pakistani bureaucracy. The
Framework highlights the importance of gender neutrality towards ensuring impartiality,
promotion of merit and efficiency in organizations. The Pakistani bureaucracy has been
categorized as being Weberian by recent research, and hence should be gender neutral. This
paper examines if the Pakistani bureaucracy is indeed gender neutral. It inspects the gender
norms prevalent in the context of the macro sociocultural environment in Pakistan and finds that
these norms are reflected in women’s position in the bureaucracy. Using the perceptions of male
and female bureaucrats and ministers as symptomatic evidence, the research deliberates on how
the socially determined status hierarchies interact with organizational rules and regulations to
perpetuate gender bias and lack of gender neutrality within the bureaucracy. The paper concludes
by reinforcing that the bureaucracy operates in a larger social and cultural environment, which is
unable to be a socially transformative agent in the case of Pakistan, and hence, is not gender
neutral and by consequence, not Weberian.
Key Words: women, bureaucracy, Pakistan, organizations, social construction
"Although women play a central role in the rural economy through their contribution to the agric... more "Although women play a central role in the rural economy through their contribution to
the agriculture production process, their equitable participation in rural organizations (ROs)
remains minimal. Furthermore their role is decision making and in leadership positions within
these organizations remains negligible. This disproportionate mismatch in participation is not
only detrimental for women but also has negative effects on the household and on the rural
economy. Combining insights from various secondary sources, the paper introduces of a new
conceptual metrics around the discourse of participation. Based on this conceptualization of the
term “participation”, the paper attempts to provide a critical analysis of the current development
initiatives that address gender participation in rural organizations. It examines the multi-faceted
impediments that rural woman in developing countries encounter and informs on the
development initiatives that were catalysts to the rural woman’s participation. The paper finds
that even the best designed development projects that are not cognizant of the impediments that
the rural woman encounter, remain ineffective in promoting the rural woman’s empowerment
and participation."
This paper examines the reasons for the early dominance of the bureaucratic elite in Pakistan and... more This paper examines the reasons for the early dominance of the bureaucratic elite in Pakistan and the downsizing that was brought about by the administrative reforms of 1973. The perceptions of bureaucrats and ministers indicate that loyalty to political establishment is now regarded a crucial requirement in a bureaucrat. These perceptions do not corroborate the view that the growing politicization of the development process is related directly to the level of democratization in Pakistan. The shift from the principle of political neutrality to the practice of political allegiance has affected both the development agenda as well as the very institutions of the country.