Abstract
As a consequence of heavy monsoon rainfall in 2022, the greatest floods in Pakistan’s history have afflicted approximately 33 million people. Multiple short- and long-term tragedies have befallen the survivors of the catastrophe, including the deaths of loved ones and the loss of agricultural land, livestock, homes, community infrastructure, and services, all of which have resulted in the displacement of a large number of people. Despite being illegal, a significant number of young survivors, including girls, had to leave school and join live-in domestic work in cities. This study employs Rebecca Elliot’s sociology of loss theory to investigate the challenges encountered by this vulnerable group working in Lahore, Pakistan. Qualitative research was carried out to investigate Elliot’s framework which incorporates four interrelated dimensions of loss: the materiality of loss; the politics of loss; knowledge of loss; and practices of loss. This qualitative study examines the experiences of seventeen young female flood survivors from the southern region of Punjab who relocated to Lahore after the flooding. The results indicate that participants endured a variety of losses with multiple emotional, social, and physical consequences. Our study emphasizes the underrepresented perspectives of young marginalized girls and contributes to scholarly discussions on the numerous facets of climate change, loss, social inequality, gender, and child labor. The study contributes to understanding and policy development for Sustainable Development Goals on climate change, child labor, education, and health.
Presenters
Rahla RahatAssistant Professor, Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Punjab, Pakistan
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Climate-induced Displacement, Female Labor Force, Live-in Domestic Workers, Loss, Pakistan
