Status of Women in Pakistan

[cspafzal2011]

Status of Women in Pakistan

o Introduction
• Islam and Women
• Social condition of Women in the world
• Male and Female Ratio in Pakistan

o Past Development of Women Right in Pakistan
• Women Liberation Movement
• Implication of Hadood Ordinance on the Women Right
• Repercussions of Controversial Laws
• Women Empowerment in Pakistan

o Problems of Pakistani Women
• Vani
• Watta Satta
• Dowry Abuse
• Marriage with Quran
• Desire for male Child
• Honour Killing
• Acid Throwing
• Traffiking
• Tribal Traditions
• Renunciation from Female Education
• Sexual Harassment
• Dominance of male over Female
• Feudal Mindset

o Remedies
• Promotion of equality
• True Sprit of Religion
• Awareness campaign Regarding Female Education
• Women Protection by Law
• Social Counseling of People

o Conclusion

The Ideology of Pakistan is based on Islam. During 1400 year, Islam is the only religions which granted different rights to women. As mother, she has the key of haven, and as daughter blessing of happiness. Islam has granted social political and economical rights to women. She has allowed choosing her life partner and her consent is mandatory for marriage. In addition, Women can work out of the home under Islamic terms and condition. Many other rights have also been granted such law of inheritance, equality between men and women, education and domestic rights.

Despite granting of rights to women, the Islamic state is responsible for the protection of her right under the lights of Quran and Sunnah. However, the deteriorating condition of women in the world and Pakistan is miserable. In past, a liberation movement laid in the west, which compelled to accept equality of women. Further, it worked for the protection of women around the world.

The male and female ratio is not balance in Pakistan. Many factors are influencing it, such as Target Killing, sectarian riots, and suicide attacks. Nevertheless, Male is dominant in all sphere of life. During the early years of Pakistan, Women were allowed to work on equality basis. But the social backwardness of the people restrained them to liberate women in the environment. Mohtrama Fatima Jinnah and other female freedom fighters are explicit example. In the regime of Ayoub and Bhutto, Women education was obliged. The 1973 constitution accepted the equality of women and their rights.

However, the Zia regime abandoned all the law of 1973, which guard the basic rights of women. The controversial Hadood-ordinance devastated the social life of women in the country. It was called the laws of Islam. All the punishment was according to the Islamic law, such as stone to death on the charges of adultery, as well as punishment of lashes, diat, Qisas. However, it failed to adopt fair and non controversial process of prosecution. Many cases were reported which demonstrate the incapability of Federal Sharia court to judge the case of rape and adultery. In addition, women were deprived of their basic rights. Due to the criticism by civil society, Federal Sharia Court had to reverse its few decision regarding rape and adultery.

The first woman Prime Minister promised to abolish such controversial laws. But, she could not succeed in her ambition, due to complex legislation of this law. It required approval from both the houses and then judicial review. Similarly, Nawaz Sharif could not do any remarkable progress for the development of women. In 2001, President General Musharaf suspended few controversial articles of Hadood Ordinance and release 1300 women from the prison, who were not arrested in any criminal case. The regime of Musharaf was the regime of women liberation. Women were inducted in army and air force. A cricket team of women were organized. In 2006, women protection bill distinguished between Jinah-Bil-Jabar and Zina-Bil-Raza. Despite the protest of religious parties, this law was enforced and effectively implemented. The Ministry of women Development was established in this regime. All NGOs of women right were free to perform their activities.

After the revival of democracy, the Government of Pakistan adopted the policy of ex-Government. In 2011, Anti-women bill was passed in Assembly. Despite all the legislation, women conferred different problems. In northern area, the practices of vani is strongly adopted as punish to convicted family. In practice of vani, a girl from convicted family will marry with a male with another family. In this regard, The Punchyat does not consider the age difference between male and female. Often, it is noted that girl was less than 14 years and the age of male from 25-45 years.

Watta-Satta is the given-take rule, in which a family will give a girl and will take a girl from other family. Such kind of practice denies the basic rules granted under Islāmic laws to women. Islam has appreciated the austerity in daily life. But, the practice of bulk dowry deteriorated the economic status of people. It has been compulsory to give bulk dowry to newly bride at the time of marriage. The repercussions are sever for the middle class people, who spend their all saving for the marriage of his daughter or sister. In result, they suffer in economic problems. On the other hand, the poor people in Pakistan could not arrange the marriage of his girl, due to devastated economic condition. In this context, the practice of dowry has become an abuse for the social life of people in Pakistan.

In different areas of Sindh, the people perform an illegal practice by marrying with Quran. There is not any kind of evidence to prove such practice according to Quran and Sunna. It is against the teaching of Islam. Another social crime practiced by the people of Sindh is honor killing of woman. According to the sources and survey, it has been revealed that honor killing is done, because of property, enmity and adultery rather than love marriages. In Islam, the right of consent with woman is granted and woman may select her life partner.

The act of acid throwing is prevailing around the country. Due to the forced love, marriage, enmity and domestic violence, this kind of act evolve in the society. It is a humiliating act which shattered feelings of the people around the world. Te victims of this act are women. Miss Sharmin Obed Chinoy has highlighted the issue in international community by her documentary movie “Saving Face”. In addition, the parliament has passed a bill to punish the culprits of acid throwing. In Pakistan, Woman trafficking business also is operated by indigenous people. Many women from different countries are brought and sell in Pakistan. In addition, women kidnapped from different parts of the country are sold in other parts of the country.

Pakistan is dominated by the tribal tradition in Northern areas, Fata, Baluchistan and Sindh. The tribal mindset people exploit the people in his favor. They don’t honour the women as given by the Islam and ill-represent the Islamic values. Furthermore, these tribal mindset people oblige the torture on women. Even in Urban areas, the status of women is blemish for the social society. Where, the women restricted to get education. Mostly people support more to male child in education than female child. Due to lack of education, women fail to get their right and they suffer in domestic violence and sexual harassment cases.
The role of both women and men is important in the development of strong society. In this context, women problems may be eliminated from social life. It needs few measures to adopt. For better Islamic society, People must understand the true spirit of Islam. It will help to determine the right of women in the light of Islamic teachings. Nowadays, the role of media is excellent in promoting education for women. Other different method must be adopted to increase the importance of female education, especially in tribal areas.

The Government of Pakistan initiated many developments programs for the women in terms of education, training, and financial support. Other bodies of social life such as NGOs and Human Rights organization should arrange program for counseling the people about the status of women and in social life. They should also highlight the equality of gender and consent over marriage decision with girl. At present, women are enjoying a good status in upper class. The First Female speaker of national assembly is explicit example. In art and entertainment, Sharmin Obed Chinoy has received Oscar award for her documentary film “Saving Face”.

Nevertheless, women suffer in miserable problems. These problems may be social, political and economical. A healthy and educated woman can build a strong society. During present decade, The Government of Pakistan launched many development programs to boost the women status in the country. The law enforcement agencies passed different laws to provide security to women in the country. In civil service of Pakistan, Women have granted 10% of quota. But it is also compulsory to counsel people about the right status of women in the society. In this regard, the Electronic Media can perform an excellent part.