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Education is a basic human right (United Nations, 2010). Education is a major source of creating and developing variety of productive capacities and expertise among human beings. Females' access at all levels of educa tion makes them efficient and effective in their personal and professional roles and enables them to contribute in the economic and non-economic development of their societies and nation's. Country Pakistan is a less developed country of the world, were female seldom have access to their basic rights including education. To uplift the unstable economy of the country, Government of Pakistan focused to provide education to all, up to higher education level. Since last 64 years of independence, Government of Pakistan took various education policies, planes and schemes to enhance accessibility of education with special focus on female but females' education sta tus remain unsa tisfa ctory. Therefore, this research paper is focused to presents the current scenario of female education in Pakistan and to examine the growth in female education at various education stages, during past 20 years in Pakistan. This research study also identifies the causes and socio-economic obstacles which makes female deprive to get education in this modern era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although women make up half of Pakistan's population, their participation in politics has historically been limited. While women today are more politically active and articulate than in the past, their involvement is still hindered by various factors, including patriarchal structures, a genderbiased socio-cultural environment, and a conservative interpretation of Islam. This study utilizes qualitative methods to assess the participation of women as voters and candidates by examining the roles of far-right (Jamaate- Islami), central (Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf) and left (Pakistan People Party Parliamentarian) political parties in the 2008, 2013, and 2018 elections. Relevant secondary sources, including the selected parties' manifestos, have been analyzed through content analysis to establish the appropriate context. The research findings indicate that although regulatory efforts aim to increase women's representation, political parties frequently prioritize female candidates with preexisting political backgrounds. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that the parties' ideological positions significantly impact their dedication to female political participation and representation. Although political parties have made some progress in improving women's representation and participation in elections, it is clear that a significant and ongoing dedication is necessary to close the gender gap in political engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper provides an insight into the perceptions of female pillion riders regarding helmet wearing in a low-middle-income context. • Helmet laws are seldom extensively enforced, and it is often assumed that female pillion riders are not required by law to wear helmets. • Helmet quality and incompatibility with female attire in Pakistan, and unwelcome attention from passersby prevent females from helmet use. • The availability of helmets acceptable to females and the engagement of religious leaders in shaping cultural norms can encourage female helmet use. Despite the existence of a national motorcycle helmet law that applies to both riders and pillion riders, the use of helmets among female pillion riders is low in Pakistan. This study aimed to explore perceptions, barriers, and strategies related to helmet use by female pillion riders. Data was collected from nine focus group discussions held with female pillion riders and male riders working at the Aga Khan University. Focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and checked for accuracy before being imported into NVivo2. Transcriptions were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Four overarching themes emerged, including: (1) motorcycle as mode of transportation, (2) law on helmet use and its enforcement, (3) barriers to helmet use among female pillion riders, and (4) strategies to improve helmet use among female pillion riders. Female participants never wore a helmet or considered wearing it even though "safety" was the most important benefit of helmet usage expressed. The motorcycle is an economical mode of transportation for families, particularly those in the middle and lower socioeconomic groups. Helmet laws are not strictly enforced for pillion riders, including females. Possible barriers to helmet use among female pillion riders included discomfort in wearing a helmet, uninvited attention from others, concerns about physical appearance, and substandard quality and design of helmets. Suggested strategies for implementing helmet use among female pillion riders encompassed awareness generation through media, complementary distribution of helmets, strict law enforcement in the form of fines, and the influence of religious leaders regarding social norms and cultural barriers. Motorcycles are a risky mode of transport, and there are several social and cultural barriers regarding helmet use by female pillion riders. Enforcing helmet laws for female pillion riders, raising awareness about helmet laws, and making helmet use among pillion riders a norm are some essential steps to take to promote helmet use among female pillion riders in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Women play a vital role in the health sector of Punjab, Pakistan occupying 68% percent of total seats for undergraduate students in Pakistani dental colleges. However, this proportion decreases as one moves up in the organizational hierarchy with men dominating leadership positions in Pakistan. This has led to negligible women representation in dental academia. Objectives: This study aimed to explore female dental academia leaders' perspectives on possible reasons behind the under-representation of women in leadership positions in the dental academia of Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological research design using semi-structured interviews and purposive sampling was conducted from March 2018 to February 2019. Eight out of 10 invited female dental academia leaders working in public sector dental colleges of Punjab participated in individual in-depth interviews. Data were organized in Atlas-ti and analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: Thematic analysis led to the development of six themes: 1) Family responsibilities, 2) Work environment, 3) Gender bias, 4) Lack of Counseling, 5) Financial matters, and 6) Transport issues and long distance from the workplace. Sub-themes further elaborate on the findings and provide deep insight into the problem. Conclusion: The problem of female underrepresentation in dental academia leadership is multifaceted. Reserving separate funds for women, arranging career counselling sessions, decreasing working hours during special circumstances, and changing attitudes towards women's role in households will help overcome the problem. The study opens a path for future research on the development of interventions or strategies to overcome the reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular obligate parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection that affects warm-blooded animals and humans worldwide. To comprehensively characterize the disease condition in Pakistan for future reference, we ascertained the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection and predisposing factors in the Pakistani population over a 20-year period. We systematically reviewed research articles published in English (2000–2020) from PubMed and Google Scholar. The search results 26 publications involving 10,924 people and 2611 seropositive cases. The toxoplasmosis seropositivity rate was higher in women (25.44%) as compared to men (21.48%) and were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, seropositivity was high among people with direct contact with cats, who consumed uncooked meat and raw vegetables, had poor education, and lived in rural areas. The 35–65-year age group had the highest prevalence rate of T. gondii infection. Toxoplasma infection was significantly more prevalent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (25.87%) than in Punjab (20.42%) (p < 0.001). This is the first comprehensive analysis of T. gondii infection epidemiology in Pakistan. It reveals a high frequency of infection among women. We strongly encourage further research to aid patient care and the development of more efficient diagnostic tests and preventative techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper investigated the role of distance education in the expansion of educational facilities for female at higher level of education in Pakistan. The findings of the study report that distance education is playing a vital role in the expansion of female education at higher level as such female who, due to some personal or social compulsions are not able to attend regular institution/university in order to enhance their educational, distance education proves to be a blessing for such females. AIOU is the pioneer in provision of distance education in Pakistan and at present it is playing a significant role in provision of better higher education facilities, especially female are enjoying from these educational facilities as the system of AIOU is flexible enough for female and it provides them equal opportunity to uplift their educational status in spite of the different hurdles in the way of getting higher education without disturbing their family or personal problems. More incentives for female on the part of AIOU for getting higher education may increase the number of female students in AIOU programs of higher education in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the clinical manifestations and prognosis of victims presenting with wheat pill poisoning. Study Design: Prospective Cohort Study. Setting: Emergency Department in District Headquarter Hospital DG Khan. Period: February 2019 to January 2020. Material & Methods: Patients admitted with history of accidental or suicidal wheat pills poisoning were followed over a period of 3 to 6 months. Symptomatic treatment was initially given for 2-3 hours. The patients were retained in CCU for 24 hours before shifting to ward. Research tool (proforma) was designed for collection and interpretation of data. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score 2 (APACHE-2) score was used for prognosis and recovery. Result: Out of 96 victims of aluminum phosphide ingestion male/female ratio was 2:1, 64% (n= 64) were females and 36% (n=32) were males. Higher incidence was found in age group (16–25 years (n= 27 victims). Overall mortality was 63 (65.6%). Conclusion: Wheat pill was a poison of choice among teens and adults in Pakistan as it is freely available and cheap. Arrhythmia and metabolic acidosis are the major causes of death after wheat pills ingestion. Coconut oil was found effective in delaying the absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study aims to analyze the financial inclusion of individuals living in the Middle East, North African, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAP). It intends to show the influence of these individuals’ characteristics on financial inclusion, using the World Bank Global Findex Database 2014 for 16 countries in the region.Design/methodology/approach A probit model is used to examine the marginal effect of financial inclusion of the characteristics of individuals living in the MENAP region. These characteristics include gender, age, income and education. Individual characteristics that are linked to the main financial-inclusion indicators include having a formal account and formal saving and borrowing. The barriers to having a formal account, alternative borrowing sources and motivations for borrowing are also linked to the respondents’ characteristics.Findings The results indicate that females and the poor are less likely to be included in financial systems, while education level enhances financial inclusion. As disadvantaged people consider access to credit is important to improving their lives, the study finds that the poor are more likely to borrow for medical issues than for other needs. While Islam is the majority religion in the MENAP region, it is not considered a barrier to having a formal bank account. Furthermore, people in different income quintiles are more likely to use informal financial sources, while the educated are more likely to use formal ones.Practical implications The results show that policymakers in MENAP should make more of an effort to enhance financial inclusion as a way to enhance economic development in the region. Also, governments institutions, such as central banks, financial ministries and other institutions, could build on these results to enhance financial inclusion as a way toward development in the MENAP region.Originality/value To the author’s best knowledge, this is the first study to examine the influence of individuals’ characteristics on financial inclusion in the MENAP region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]