Intersection of Gender, Work and Caste: The Case of Christian Female Sweepers of Lahore

Abstract

To explore the intersection of gender, class, caste, and work impacting the identity of Christian minority community in Pakistan, the present study makes an attempt to bring into light the socio religious and occupational challenges interwoven with patriarchal constraints Christian women sweepers are confronted with. The Study has drawn inferences from the theory of intersectionality, which espouses that multiple social divisions based on subordinated identities shape up people’s subjectivities increasing the likelihood of deprivation, discrimination and disadvantages. Exploring the lived realities of women sweepers, the study has drawn its findings from20 in-depth interviews and 3 focused group discussions with women sweepers. The study findings can facilitate the understanding of the dehumanizing and degrading nature of cleaning work intersecting with gender disparity adversely affecting people existing at the margins of the society. The study findings can be incorporated towards the creation of strategies in order to improve the marginalized minority community in Pakistan.