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The Sociology Department of the Virtual University of Pakistan is organizing a thought-provoking Two-Day Conference on “Shifting Paradigms: Uniting for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality”. This conference aims to address the pressing issue of gender-based violence within the complex dynamics of the modern world, emphasizing challenges and opportunities in combating this pervasive problem. Moreover, the focus of the conference is to highlight how women can be empowered to reduce this societal imbalance.

In today’s interconnected society, the fight against violence and promoting gender equality faces evolving challenges, including digital harassment, systemic inequality, and cultural resistance to change. Despite international progress, the voices of millions of women remain unheard, their experiences overshadowed by societal norms and institutional barriers. This conference will create a space for open dialogue, critical reflection, and actionable strategies to address these issues head-on.

By bringing together experts, survivors, and activists, the event seeks to empower participants with knowledge and tools to advocate for a violence-free society. It underscores the importance of uniting diverse perspectives from academia, policymaking, activism, and community leadership to drive meaningful change and ensure the safety, dignity, and rights of women in every sphere of life.

Objectives of the Conference

1. To explore the multidimensional factors contributing to gender inequality in Pakistani society.
2. To amplify the voices of survivors and marginalized women, fostering a platform for dialogue and empowerment.
3. To develop actionable strategies and collaborative frameworks among academics, policymakers, and activists to combat gender-based violence and empower women.

Awards

This prestigious conference offers participants an excellent opportunity to gain recognition for their innovative work and significant contributions to the field of Sociology. Each submission will be evaluated by specialists aligned with the conference theme, ensuring a rigorous and informed assessment process. We eagerly anticipate your submissions and look forward to celebrating the achievements of sociological research within our dynamic academic community.

Award Categories

1. Research Paper: A comprehensive academic document that presents an original study or investigation on a selected topic based on in-depth research and critical analysis.
2. Research Poster: A visual presentation tool designed to communicate the key aspects of a research study in a concise and engaging manner.
3. Short Video: A brief audiovisual presentation that tells a story or delivers a message to quickly capture the viewer’s attention.
4. Thematic Poster: A visually engaging display that presents key ideas to communicate a unifying subject or idea effectively.

Summary Table of Award Categories

Notes

Individuals seeking to publish their paper in a "Y" Category journal at discounted rates and compete for the Best Paper and Best Poster Awards must submit their full paper following the guidelines provided by January 25th, 2025.

Guidelines for Full Research Paper Submission

1. Paper Length: The total length of the paper should not exceed 3000 words including references.
2. Abstract: Provide an abstract of 150 to 200 words summarizing the key aspects of your study.
3. Structure of the Paper:
   • The introduction and literature review should be combined into one section, with no separate chapter for the literature review.
   • Include a theoretical framework as a compulsory component.
   • Methodology: Clearly describe the research design, sampling, data collection, and analysis methods.
   • Results and Discussion: Present your findings with a comprehensive discussion.
   • Conclusion: Summarize the key insights and implications of your study.
4. Formatting:
   • Use Times New Roman, size 12 font.
   • Follow the APA 7th Edition guidelines for formatting, in-text citations, and references.

Guidelines for Research Poster Submissions

1. Poster Size and Orientation:
   • Dimensions: The poster should be 2×5 ft. (24×60 inches) (60×150 cm).
   • Orientation: Portrait orientation.
2. Content Structure:
   • Title: Include a concise and informative title along with the names of the authors and their affiliations.
   • Abstract: Provide a brief overview of your research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusions.
   • Introduction: Explain the background and significance of your research and state your research objectives or hypothesis.
   • Methods: Concisely describe the methodology, including data collection and analysis techniques.
   • Results: Present key findings using graphs, charts, or tables with clear labels.
   • Discussion/Conclusion: Summarize your main findings and their implications and include potential areas for future research.
   • References: List key references in APA 7th Style cited in your poster (keep it brief).
3. Design and Visuals:
   • Font Sizes: Title: At least 72 pt; Section Headings: At least 36 pt; Body Text: At least 24 pt.
   • Fonts: Use easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
   • Colors: Use high-contrast colors for text and background with a cohesive color scheme.
   • Images and Graphics: Use high-resolution images (300 dpi minimum) and label all visuals clearly.
4. Presentation Tips:
   • Clarity: Make the poster self-explanatory.
   • Engagement: Be prepared to answer questions and discuss your research with attendees.
   • Handouts: Consider preparing a one-page handout summarizing your research.
5. Submission and Printing:
   • Deadline: Submit your poster file (JPG/TIFF format) to the conference organizer by 10th January 2025.
   • Printing: Ensure the accepted paper for poster presentation adheres to size requirements.

Note: Please email your abstract at we.soc2025@vu.edu.pk

Registration

The following categories are warmly welcome to register for the conference:

Travel and Location

It will be decided soon.

Program

It will be decided soon.

Keynote Speakers

Dean of Faculty of Contemporary Studies, National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad

Dr. Arshi Saleem Hashmi specializes in Religious Violent Conflicts, Counter Violent Extremism, Peace Building and Conflict Resolution with special focus on South Asia. She is currently Dean- Faculty of Contemporary Studies and Professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at National Defence University Islamabad. Dr. Arshi is the recipient of HEC Best University Teacher Award 2016-17. She gives lectures at Staff colleges of the armed forces, Police Academy and Intelligence Bureau. She is also a member of Committee of Experts at National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Government of Pakistan and member COR (Champions of Reforms) Network, an initiative by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives , Government of Pakistan.
Prof. Arshi has been an Academic Fellow at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford. She has also been a South Asia Leadership Fellow for Counter Terrorism Studies at Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Yale World Fellow at Yale University USA, Rotary International Peace Fellow, NESA-NDU Washington DC and Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) Hawai alumna. She is a member of Women without Borders (WwB) Vienna and its project "Sisters against Violent Extremism" (SAVE). She has been a speaker at TedxWomen USA and Omega Women Conference in New York. She has worked with the United States Institute of Peace , Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and the Middle East Institute in Washington DC.
Prof. Arshi Hashmi has studied International Peace and Conflict Studies at the School of International Service, the American University in Washington DC, Conflict Management at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University USA, and International Relations at the School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad. Dr. Arshi is widely published in national and international journalsand has presented her papers at both national and international conferences. She often appears as a political analyst on national and international media.

Mr. Irfan Mufti Deputy Executive Director • South Asia Partnership Pakistan

Irfan Mufti, holds Master’s Degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology and M.Phil in North American History. He has been an active part of social movements, human rights and peace coalitions in Asia and other regions of the world for the last more than 35 years. He led a global campaign Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) for three years and mobilized millions on the issues of poverty and economic justice across 5 continents. He is a well-known human rights defender and a peace activist in Pakistan and South Asia. He co-founded of South Asia Partnership-Pakistan (SAP-PK) and currently serving as its Deputy Executive Director. He has worked extensively in the community development field facilitated community groups, NGOs and networks, organizational planning, community development projects, humanitarian assistance and advocacy campaigns. He co-authored two books on global civil society, social movements and global governance published in South Africa. He regularly contributed to political economy sections of national English dailies and other research journals. He currently leads several human rights platforms in Pakistan and South Asia.

Dr. Aisha Anees Malik Associate Professor Centre of Excellence in Gender Studies.

Dr. Aisha Anees Malik is a tenured Associate Professor and Director of the Centre of Excellence in Gender Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. She has over a decade of experience in higher education, having also served as an Assistant Professor at Quaid-i-Azam University and Head of Department at Iqra University. Aisha holds a Ph.D. and MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, with a focus on gender studies. She also holds an MBA in Marketing from Fatima Jinnah Women University. Her expertise spans research, teaching, and higher education, particularly in the field of gender studies..