Qualitative Analysis of the Problems and Prospects of Orphanages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

A child who loses one or both of his/her parents and does not have any immediate guardian, so they spend their childhood in orphanages. During their stay in orphanages, these children are confronted with numerous issues. This research was conducted at an orphanage centre at District Malakand. In order to have a more in-depth understanding of the issue, the researchers employed Qualitative method in the study. The study adopted purposive sampling technique for the selection of respondents. Ten respondents, having age 5-12 years were selected among the orphans at the caring institution purposively. The data was collected through in-depth interviews and was thematically analysed using Attride-Stirling (2001) model of basic, organizing and global themes. The study reported that orphans experience numerous challenges; including stigma, social isolation, discrimination, food insecurity, sexual abuse, exploitation and poor health outcomes. The study also provided an interventionist perspective to deal with these issues and develop proper mechanism for the protection of the orphans in the orphanages.