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Muhammad Zaman

Visiting Research Fellow 2005 -2006

Exchange Marriages in a Pakistani Community

Sisters' and daughters' exchange for marriages is referred to as 'exchange marriages'. Thus, there are many forms of spouse selection, like exogamy, endogamy, arranges, love and exchange marriages in Pakistan. Researchers categorize exchange marriages into symmetrical (direct exchange) and asymmetrical (bride price). Blood compensation marriage (called vani) is another form of marriage to settle serious conflicts between tribal clans. Thus, different types of exchange marriages like the exchange of sisters, female cousins, nieces and daughters as spouses are considered to guarantee social security for marriage. Present study is aimed to document the existing practices of "Exchange Marriages in a Pakistani Community (Kabirwala)" and its links with gender roles and relationship. It will also highlight the relationship with broader 'social exchange theory' within cultural context and focus 'what is going on' regarding the exchange marriages practices. It will elaborate the objective (ideal culture) and subjective (real culture) of exchange marriages in the said community. Study will also concentrate the nonprevalence of exchange marriages among one ethnicity (like migrant Punjabi) that does not follow the same tradition; while living on the same place. Qualitative data will be collected from the married couples (who got marriage on the basis of exchange) and their parents. Local community leaders and social activist will also be studied to know the social structure. Case histories and life experiences of the respondents regarding the exchange marriages will be studied.

Report Fieldwork

• Report on Fieldwork in Pakistan

Conference Papers

• Cosmopolitan knowledge and Indigenous Perceptions of Congenital diseases among the Cousin Marriage Practioners in Kabirwala Community

Curriculum Vitae

Language Capabilities

Fluent Spoken and Written: English, Urdu, Punjabi and Saraiki
Beginner: German

Key Qualifications

Currently I am working on "Analysis of Exchange Marriages in a Pakistani Community" as a Doctoral student at Leipzig University-Federal Republic of Germany. However, I have worked as Social Researcher / Policy Analyst & Program Coordinator, Project Officer with Numerous Development/Social Organizations. Major assignments include:

1. Working experience as Program officer on Hudiara drain project in World Wide Fund for Nature, Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan). # Working experience as Assistant Researcher and Assistant Policy Analyst on various projects in World Wide Fund for Nature, Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan).
2. Worked as Program Coordinator in Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) funded by American Centre for International Labour Solidarity (ACILS).
3. Worked as Assistant Researcher in a Study on "Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Adolescents regarding HIV/AIDS in Lahore and Sailkot", Conducted by Department of Sociology, University of the Punjab Lahore, funded by Punjab AIDS Control Program.
4. Conducted "Socio-Economic Baseline Surveys for the Installation of Tube-Wells in Faisalabad Sub-Division, District Faisalabad" and Abbottabad (funded by JICA) as Sociologist for data collection and data management.
5. Designed a socio-economic survey of "Vendor' s Role in Micro Economy" as Co-investigator and Data Manager / Analyst an Impact Assessment project of SEE (Society for Employment & Education) Lahore.  

Specialization is in Social & Cultural Anthropology, Sociology of Development, Sociological Theory, Social Research, Data Management / Analysis & Policy Analysis and Program Coordination. Research interests include: Baseline Surveys and KAP / KAB Studies and Monitoring & Evaluation addressing Problems and Conflicts in Water Resources Management, HIV / AIDS' s hazardous impacts on society. Command over SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Data Management and Data Analysis. Designed a number of concept papers, proposals, Monitoring & Evolution Module, case studies, research reports and policy papers with Program Development Division of World Wide Fund for Nature, Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) as Assistant Researcher & Policy Analyst. Delivered a number of Presentations on Sociological Theory and Sociology of Development in Department of Sociology, University of the Punjab, Lahore & Central Jail Staff Training Institute, Ministry of Interior, Lahore. Conducted a number of seminars, workshops, trainings, lecturers and advocacy campaigns on social issues.

1. Project Officer (WWF-Pakistan) Location of Assignment: Punjab (Pakistan) Period of Assignment: October, 2004 to April 2005 Activities: To develop and implement a strategy to carry out community surveys and situational analyses in selected villages along 500 m radius of Hudiara Drain and to assist the Project Coordinator in carrying out all activities as designed in the workplan of Hudiara Drain Phase II. Hence, assist the Project Coordinator and Cleaner Production Institute (CPI) in the organization and management of training workshops and to liaison with various stakeholders involved. Write quarterly progress reports of the project. In addition to this, support in general office management work related to Freshwater & Toxics projects at WWF-Pakistan.
2. Assistant Researcher/ Sociologist (WWF-Pakistan) Location of Assignment: Punjab (Pakistan) Period of Assignment: Jan 2004 to October 2004 Activities: Working as Assistant Researcher to highlight the Economics of Diclofenac use and its impact on the decreasing population of vultures in selected sites of Punjab, Pakistan, and to evaluate the project of the freshwater cotton initiative Project in Vehari, Pakistan. Conducted KAP Survey of Solid Waste management in fruits / Vegetable Market. Key Responsibilities include Research Design, Data Collection, Data Management, Data Analysis and Report Writing. # Program
   
3. Coordinator (Agency Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC)) Location of Assignment: Punjab (Pakistan) Period of Assignment: March 2003 to Sep 2003 Activities: Worked as Program Coordinator / Sociologist. Key Responsibilities were advocacy, awareness campaigns and lobbying with Govt. line departments and networking with NGOs, CBOs & VOs to eliminate child labor in Punjab. Meanwhile, conducted a number of workshops, training & seminars with key policy makers. Delivers a number of lecturers on social issues at various forums like CJSTI, Lahore.

• "Social Tolerance and Women's Political Participation in Pakistan", 2002. A master Dissertation. Department of Sociology, University of the Punjab, Lahore. -
• "Impact Assessment of Autonomization of Jinnah Hospital", 2002. A Fieldwork Report. Department of Sociology, University of the Punjab, Lahore. -
• "Tourism and Livelihood of Abbottabad Residents", 2002. A Fieldwork Report. Department of Sociology, University of the Punjab, Lahore.

Visiting lecturer of Sociology at CJSTI (Central Jail Staff Training Institute) Lahore, Ministry of Interior since March 2003 to to-date. Conducted a number of trainings, workshops, seminars and lecturers.

• Conducted a number of training workshops on UNCRC, JJSO & Child Labor related laws.
• Contributed in training workshops at CJSTI, Lahore on "Imprisonment & Child Rights" related issues.
• Attended a training workshop on "Social Issues" on February 24 - March 12, 2003 funded by CIDA, organized by SAHE.
• Participated in a workshop on "Peace and Students" organized by Education Foundation in Collaboration with Palme International Center, Sweden (in Lahore).
• Participated in a three days training workshop on "Impact of Militarization, Social Stratification, and ethnocentrism on Pakistani society," organized by Bargad collaboration with SAP-PK.
• Participation in a three days "English language workshop" at University Collage of Languages, organized in Lahore.

Publication

"Pak-US Relations", an article published in Nida-i-Khilafat (Urdu), Lahore; a weekly magazine.

• MS Office (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Word Perfect)
• E-mail, Internet and Web Browsing
• SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences)
• Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 98

Reading, Internet Browsing and Essay Writing

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