July, 2010

Women in Pakistan, though facing tough challenges, can be equal due to their fast empowerment supported by effective media, progressive policies, and changing mind set. In practice, women are victims of financial discrimination, inhuman customs and laws such as Karo Kari, Qasas and marriage to the Quran and half witnesses according to the state law. In contrast, the recent political, legal, educational and social measures by the liberal forces are strengthening the ‘weaker sex.’

On March 10, 1944, Quaid-e-Azam addressed a meeting of the Muslim University Union (Aligarh): "It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. You should take your women along with you as comrades in every sphere of life."

Challenges to Women’ equality in Pakistan
The Pakistani state is heavily dependent on mullahs and feudal/tribal sardars for its ideological and political legitimacy, respectively.

In the presence of such feudal/tribal chiefs, no military dictator was afraid of holding of elections. In return, they are given a free hand in their constituencies. Besides, women are being prevented to participate in the electoral process both as voters and candidates.

In the rural areas, women are like slaves subject to labour, considered as foolish creatures according to the dominant social and cultural norms. Likewise, marriage is also a sort of trade between different families.

A woman's right to liberty is restricted in the name of modesty, protection and prevention of immoral activity. As for the Mullahs, though they played no role in the creation of Pakistan, they managed to assert themselves through the civil bureaucracy and conservative politicians. When Zia imposed his dictatorial rule, he fully used the mullahs against the secular parties. The jihadi groups intimidated democratic elements and suppression of women.

The tragedy with the women' movements is that women from the upper classes, have never had to suffer the same ordeals as the women of the oppressed classes. Our cultural system has made male as the earning hand and, thus, kept the women financially weak. In the near past, limited education increased their ignorance.

The Factors which will ensure Gender-Equality
Judicial activism should be observed strictly. Our constitution guarantees (under articles 25 & 34) equality of both sex.
True interpretation of religion should be by authentic scholars on TV channels.
Weak but flourishing democracy will maintain one man one vote, thus one male should be equal to one female.
Rising poverty will leave us with no choice but accepting women participation in national production. Now women’ freedom is not an option but a completion.
Awareness should be created by Media about their issues. It shows injustice done against them like Mukhtara Mai case. Such cases in the past should not go unnoticed and unjustified.
Spread of Education, especially for women and awareness about their rights and duties.
NGOs, though doing not so fair but at large they are serving the women against all sorts of injustice. Foreign aid is given to NGOs.
Global wake up about women’ importance.

Steps Taken by the Present Government
Liberal Leadership - Musharraf and the present PPP regime, role of Fozia Wahab, Fahmida Mirza and newly appointed Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Women’ Protection bill to minimize the negative effects of Hadood ordinance.
33% Seats in the Parliament according to LFO of 2002 from 17%.
Recruitment of Women in Army.
Addition of 10% quota in CSS.
Awareness by workshop, seminars and newspaper.
Research, documentation and publication on violent issues related to women.
Crises and shelter centers.
Free education in rural area.
Voices and activities of NGOs at local and international levels.

Number of seats allocated for women:
N.A = 60 Sindh = 29
Punjab = 66 N.W.F.P = 22


Effects of gender discrimination:
Increased poverty due to non participation of 51% population. The rise of China and India is also due to the active participation of women.
Honor killing and Vani are against human rights and the principles of Islam but only supported by the egoistical minds.
Marriage with Quran is the outcome of diseased minds of the feudal lords.
Pessimism in women is snatching all their potential, abilities and hopes to excel in life.
Worldwide criticism of Pakistan as an ignorant country like Afghanistan.
Domestic violence is a routine practice due to low status of women.
Population growth as the female is not the decision makers about the family planning

Pragmatic Solutions

Easy and free Education will generate awareness about rights and duties. Technical education will provide job opportunities. Financial empowerment for the women should be enhanced. Media should play its role in creating awareness. Women must use their voting power as a tool for gender change. They should form alliances across social groups i.e. trade unions, peasant associations and artisans etc. The women councilors can provide leadership at local level.

Microfinance provides a stable and sustainable source of income that enables women to climb steadily out of poverty. Solution of all these problems did not require big budgets but all it needed was good governance and political will.

To sum up, Pakistani women still have to go a long way to achieve their birth right of ‘equality’. The optimistic side makes this task possible due to inevitable but positive changes.

“If Eve was the cause of Adam’s expulsion from Heaven, it is Eve now who has made the earth a heaven.” Goethe glorifies the woman status.

Source: JWT