Originally Posted by islah_G
The 52% populace comprises of females in Pakistan. Women have always played an active role in guidance and consultation, may it be any movement, social work, challenging jobs, sports or even military campaigns or politics. Women participation in the Pakistan Movement was of a great historical significance in the subcontinent where women had never participated before in such a great number. The Khilafat Movement of the 1920s had been the first instance when Muslim women had made their presence felt. With Maulana Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali Johar in jail, their mother, Bi Amman, had taken up the cudgels against British imperialism with assistance from her daughter-in-law. She addressed meetings from behind the curtains and traveled to various parts of India to whip up support. Women came to listen to her, and they were motivated to raise funds.
The list of women is quite large who devoted themselves for the struggle for freedom and Pakistan Movement. They stood hand in hand to offer strong resistance against the British, Hindus and Sikhs. These ladies showed such a great degree of patience; exemplary sacrifice and intellectual expertise that their participation in the politics enabled them to win a respectable place for Muslims. The Quaid asked Fatima Jinnah to sit beside him at Sibi Darbar, the grand annual gathering of Baloch and Pakhtun chiefs and leaders. He was making a point: Muslim women must take their place in the history of Pakistan. The Sibi Darbar broke all precedents. The Muslim women are worth remembering as they worked with great steadfastness, devotion and voluntarily in diversified spheres like training and education of young girls and adults, management of national guards and first-aid training etc. Among the pioneers was Ms Fatima Jinnah known who was the first lady to have inspired and organized the women for struggle of freedom. Jinnah used to say that women in Pakistan would have equal rights. These women finally materialized his dream. It is worth admiring that they maintained degree of their devotion, dedication and service after the independence.
These women formed bodies and organizations to establish platform where they could exhibit their leadership qualities and opinion and where they could initiate work towards achievement of their objectives. Since that time, such organizations have been engaged in social and political development of women. Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan led a group of active ladies coming from families well known for their role in politics and society. Months and years passed on and responsibilities kept on shifting hands till these obligations were owned by Bilqees Edhi known as ‘Madar-e-Insaniyat’ (Mother of the humanity) whose sacrifices and devotion is not limited to her country, but their benefits are experienced in different parts of the world. Begum Jahan Ara Shah Nawaz and Begum Shaista Ikramullah were first ladies to represent in first Legislative Assembly of Pakistan. Out of their deep commitment to women’s rights, they managed inclusion of rights for women in the Constitution of country and played an active role in formation of laws that would promote women’s rights and their participation in national affairs. The Muslim Personnel Law of 1948, demands for special seats for women in 1956, Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 and passing of Muslim Personnel Law under Constitution of 1962, all owe to persistent struggle of these ladies. The most significant moment in the political history was the decision of Ms Fatima Jinnah to contest the presidential elections. A unique element here was acceptance of the tough challenge by a woman to contest where a number of powerful males could not find the courage to do so. She was the one to raise her voice on different issues. Although Ayub Khan managed his victory in the elections, but the brave woman had made her presence felt.
Contesting Presidential elections by Ms Fatima Jinnah was a step to initiate democracy in the country. Beyond any doubt, she emerged as a courageous lady and as a role model for rest of the women of the Muslim world. Then came Bhutto era and at that time women, in the light of theory of economic rights, continued their struggle for their status in the society. Towards this end, women from the urban areas did a commendable job in forwarding their demands and mobilizing movements for women, by way of forming a number of women organizations. Realizing the increasing participation of women in politics, political parties could no more neglect them and had to formally introduce women’s wings in their parties. With new social profile, women established their distinguished place in various institutions. General elections and formation of Majlis-e-Shoora during Zia-ul-Haq period helped women move ahead in politics. Later, some of the women became important political figures. Now using political tone, they demanded their rights with more vigor. At the same time, women outside assemblies supported the movement against martial law. Like Fatima Jinnah who proved as an iron lady against Ayub Khan, now a young, intellectual and dynamic woman Benazir Bhutto stood for the cause of democracy. She concentrated with full energy to restore democracy in the country. Her dynamic leadership inspired a number of women to come forward and prove their worth. This followed several women organizations starting joint struggle against the unfair governmental orders and measures, and for women’s freedom. A new and pleasant era of democracy commenced when Benazir became world’s first and youngest Prime Minister. After 40 years of independence, a woman had the honour to lead Pakistan. As a politician she was already famous around the world. It was a special honour for women of the Muslim world that Benazir held the office of Prime Minister twice. Her tenure enabled a number of women to become ministers and advisors, member of national and provincial assemblies and Senate. For women, a separate ministry was established and women were seen in every ministry and department. Even during Nawaz Sharifs government, important offices like those of the opposition leader in the National Assembly, ambassadors and ministers were held by women.
Women are devoted towards their roles in the development of country and they are emerging as politicians, social workers, lawyers, doctors, journalists, artists, pilots, army officers and founder of NGOs. They are promoting the cause of women status and role in the society. It must be admitted that these women have not only created awareness among the fellow women about their strength and importance, but also offered platforms where their demands could meet success. Now the time has come to actively integrate them in countries affairs so that we can faster the pace of progress of Pakistan. The task is very simple and we have to come out from the phobia of male superiority.
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