Pakistani Women

8/3/2019 Pakistani Women

1/7

P:\sOCIETY\sOC OCT-09\D:\sOCIETY\sOC sEPT 2011\PakIsTanI WOmEn\PakIsTanI WOmEn.InDD 1 augusT 12, 2011 2:55 P

000>>Society>>SEPTEMBER 2011

emancipationn

Women Brigade

Agreed that the world has been

harsh and has taken time to

notice Pakistans feminine

influence. But this time, with

power or without it,

with support or lack

of it, Pakistani

women are

adamant to

get their

rights

Pakistans


2/7

P:\sOCIETY\sOC OCT-09\D:\sOCIETY\sOC sEPT 2011\PakIsTanI WOmEn\PakIsTanI WOmEn.InDD 2 augusT 12, 2011 2:55

SEPTEMBER 2011 >>Society>>000

BySrividya Menon

Its a tale of two contrasting destinies. Like sisters, they exist

beneath an old patriarchal roof. Both were born amidst

strict cultural ideologies and brought up through national

unrest, only to live under constant international scrutiny. One

however, through time, has succumbed to the life limited to her

dark veil while the other is educated, independent and fighting

for her unfortunate sibling.

Statistics and numbers have never been an ally to womens

rights activists in Pakistan. Like those hushed tales in India, the

condition of women from the lower income groups in Pakistan

is gaining prominence in a not-so-flattering manner. A tricky

mixture of religious mentality and cultural practices tweaked tosuit male mood swings has backfired on their international

image. But, as the nature of societies go, change is evident, and

slowly, Pakistani women are now scratching the surface of a

probable cultural revolution. However, lurking behind the

shadows of their glamour is another world. At the risk of

sounding similar to the situation in India, women in Pakistan

are flirting with a dual image.

At the popular end of the image conflict are the privileged,

the pampered and the educated lot that splurges on cars and

holidays across the world. As a contrast stand women housed

inside ordinary thatched roofs whose opinions outside the

kitchen are insignificant. Its their woes of violence and abuse

that circulatekidnap, domestic abuse, sexual harassment,

honour killings and many more. Naturally, the Human Rights

Board of Pakistan has found itself on the wrong side of the

ranking charts. The Womens Parliamentary Caucus for example

in its manual mentions the Aurat Foundation which cites 7733cases of women atrocities reported in the print media in 2009.

It is a depressing number and the reasons may vary. But

eventually, women groups have set the ball rolling. Perhaps

being passively aggressive does not always work. Therefore,

women are now coming out of their comfort roles and picking

Nilofar Bakhtiar


3/7



emancipationn

up their weapons of choice, be it the pen, the camera or just

their name, to ensure justice.

Fatimah Shah, the communications head of an NGO,

prefers to term Nilofar Bakhtiar as one of the coolest we have.

Nilofar has for years been a prominent figure trying to bring

about a change from within the system. She was instrumental in

the 2003 legislation on honour killing in Pakistan that brought

about a slight ray of hope to improve gender justice in the

country. But, setting this apart is Nilofars first hand experience

with the radicals. Back in 2007, Pakistans Federal Tourism

Minister, Nilofar, para-jumped to France for a charity campaign.

Instead of applause, she was welcomed back home with a

fatwaon her head, thanks to the pictures of Nilofar with her

60-something-year-old instructor splashed in the media.

Disappointed with the reception, she offered to resign as the

Tourism Minister which was instantly rejected by the then PM,

Shaukhat Aziz. She eventually did step down from the post and

now serves as a senator. Nevertheless, her experience in politics

of over a quarter of a decade is commendable as she says, I

speak and live what I believe in. As a politician, this may not bepractical, but this is what I am. My resignation as a Federal

Minister bears testimony to my philosophy in life inspired by

my parents who taught me to be truthful and honest.

Born to a social worker and an ex-colonel, the worlds of

power and the life of the weak are familiar to her. Having lived

in both worlds, Nilofar however is optimistic about the future.

The presence of women in all spheres of life in Pakistan and

their participation ratio is encouraging. She acknowledges the

media who are now highlighting the role of the performance of

women in the agricultural economy and their massive

contribution to food production.

Her opinion however changes when the international

press is concerned. She says, The international image on

gender in Pakistan is often biased. Agreed that there are serious

issues regarding gender justice, but they are related to womens

low status and culture, both being a global reality. Nilofar isencouraged by the increased number of women in her

profession. Since her entry into politics, the partys woman

power has seen a positive high. She says, As a party leader, I

struggled hard to make women visible, not only at the grassroot,

but at the policy level too. It was a long struggle but by the

grace of Allah, we have a strong female presence which upholds

human rights and human dignity as a hallmark of politics.

My resignation as a FederalMinister bears testimony tomy philosophy in life inspiredby my parents who taught meto be truthful and honest.

Nilofar Bakhtiar

Nilofar Bakhtiar being felicitated...


4/7



emancipationn

from the other village. The police promptly arrested him while

thejirga(community council) decided to get him married to the

girl to avoid any dishonour to the Mastois. But, they wanted

more. The Mastois demanded to settle scores by Qisa

(retribution),in other words, an eye for an eye. Mukhtar wascalled forth and in front of the jirga, forcibly dragged into a

small stable and gang raped by six men for almost an hour. She

was finally pushed out of the stable wearing a tattered kameez.

Not done yet, Mukhtar was paraded naked in the village as a

symbol of their crude vengeance. In normal situations, this

would have a routine ending. The victim usually takes her own

life while the family is boycotted by the village. But this time,

someone somewhere decided to break the rules.

Mukhtar and her family decided to press charges, a very

bold move, considering the damage her family had already

borne. As the press picked up the story, her rapists were

convicted and the story attracted international headlines. Thanksto the exposure, Mukhtar gained recognition around the world

where she now lectures, attends conferences and makes

speeches for womens welfare and education. The compensation

money that she eventually received went towards building

schools for girls in her village.

Speaking to Societyabout her journey, Mukhtar admits the

massive shift in her life post 2002. Being a recluse once, today

she is single mindedly helping victims like herself in Pakistan

with her organisation, media appearances, international visits

and constant pressure on the authorities. In a singular tone, shesays, I lived in a village with no TV, newspapers or education

of any kind. My whole world literally changed after 2002 with

the amount of recognition and courage that I received globally.

From her country to the ones beyond the sea, Mukhtars tale

has impressed many. She received the Fatima Jinnah medal by

the Pakistani Government for her bravery and courage. Glamour

magazine announced Mukhtar as the Woman of the Year 2005.

Nilofar has seen her dream bearing fruit in her bureaucratic

world, but displaying a grimmer face of Pakistan is someone

who was a threat to the countrys international image. She was

once prevented by the Musharraf government to travel, was put

under house arrest and had her passport confiscated. It is toughto put Mukhtar Mai in one category. She was once a demure

village girl, once a victim of a clan conflict, who once

contemplated suicide, only to turn into a fighter, a threat, an

activist and the president of the Mukhtar Mai Womens

Organisation. Today, she is busy campaigning education and

womens rights in Pakistan. Her story halfway is sadly shared by

countless other women. But, to be what Mukhtar is today, took

much more than just raw courage.

Born in the village of Meerawala in the Muzaffargarh

district of Pakistan, Mukhtar was like any other girl around

veiled, illiterate and happily ignorant about life outside her

small village. But, on 22nd June 2002, her quiet family life wasrudely shaken by an allegation from the nearby Mastoi clan.

Her brother was accused of having illicit relations with a girl

I lived in a village with no TV,newspapers or education ofany kind. My world changedafter 2002 with the amount ofrecognition and courage that I

received globally.Mukhtar Mai

Mukhtar Mai


5/7



emancipationn

Her book, In The Name of Honour: A Memoiris a best seller and

an honest account of a victim, betrayed by her own people.

But, through all this, the most significant change for Pakistan

was the act passed to curb the power of the Hudood Ordinance.

A highly repressive law set up during President Muhammad Zia-

Ul-Haqs Islamisation process, it enforced punishments on the

lines ofZina(adultery), Qazf(false accusation ofZina), offence

against property and the prohibition of drinking alcohol. One of

the effects of the law was that a rape victim could be convicted

with Zina if she failed to produce proof of the act. The law

requires four pious male witnesses who could advocate her story,

on failure of which, the accusation of rape could be charged as the

admission of guilt of sexual intercourse illicitly or outside marriageby the woman. As impractical as that sounds, the law further

denies a womans testimony as valid because it was not equal to

the other gender, thus repressing her social stand. Though in 2006,

following pressure both from home and international womens

groups, General Musharraf passed the Womens Protection Bill in

the National Assembly amidst protests from radical Islamic groups,

allowing rape to be prosecutable under civil law.

Acknowledging the progress, Mukhtar is hopeful of a

gradual change someday. She says, Some laws in the country

are a hindrance to the growth of women in the society. However,

the media is with us and hopefully, the awareness will increase.

But, the changes will have to be through many levels of policies.This is not limited to Pakistan alone. However, the countrys

orthodox mentality and wide illiteracy make matters worse.

Unfortunately, personal justice continues to evade Mukhtar.

In April this year, her rapists were acquitted by the Supreme

Court upholding the Lahore High Court judgement passed in

2005. As the topic shifts, her otherwise stern tone is now laced

with disappointment. She says, They say they dont have

enough evidence to acquit them. I blame their mentality. I am

afraid that because of this verdict, others may be encouraged to

commit similar crimes.

Along with an orthodox outlook, Mukhtar blames the wide

illiteracy amongst women that is holding them back. Alsopending is the promise of Benazir Bhutto to increase the number

of female police stations who could handle delicate cases

involving women. Aurat ki FIR aurat hi file kare, she says.

Also needed are an increased amount of women in the judiciary

who can counter the allegation of biased judges on the desk. To

sum it up, a small movement that could push the government

to be proactive in their reforms.

Even though her overall plan might sound a bit unrealistic,

she is not giving up. Mukhtar is planning to file a review petition

with the Supreme Court against the judgment in her case. We

wonder if this time she is expecting a favourable review, but pat

comes the reply, Pakistan politics did not support me during

my struggle. And, with the Supreme Court ruling, I am not

expecting anything ground breaking from them either. But, I

have come this far and I am not going to give up soon.

Mukhtars fervour and a renewed attitude have found

admirers across the fields. Director/producer Mehreen Jabbar is

one of them. With a family history of filmmaking, Mehreens

camera captures regular people romancing the extraordinary.

Three friends from diverse fields navigating love in contemporary

Karachi, a woman and her husbands mistress plotting his murder

and a female athlete rebelling against her familys wishes of

marrying someone who is not supportive of her career are someof the snatches of Mehreens prolific filmmaking over the years.

Her narratives talk about stories of realistic women through

Pakistans most effective medium: television and dramas.

With her quality of work and efforts toward womens

issues, Mehreen certainly creates a strong image. However, she

isnt the first one. In Karachi, sitting in a crowded restaurant,

Mehreen talks about women and cinema. She says, In the 70s

Pakistan politics did notsupport me during mystruggle. But, I have comethis far and I am not going togive up soon.

Mukhtar Mai

Mukhtar Mai addressing the media


6/7



emancipationn

80s and the 90s, the stronger directors and writers have been

women. The pioneer of women-centric dramas has been Saira

Kazmi who did a lot of good work around this time. Also,

writers like Haseena Moin wrote a lot about women. So, it hasideally been a tradition that I am carrying forward. I try to show

women of this age and the issues they face in my way.

Times have changed and she is optimistic about it. When

she started out as an intern, Pakistani TV broadcasted two

channels, a phenomenon that has now stretched to 80, thus

increasing its influence and exposure. Since their movie industry

faded during the authoritarian regime of the 1980s, a socially

aware parallel cinema rose and today has found a strong footing

in the society. Having been a member of the Board of Film

Censors in Karachi and the founding member of the Kara Film

Festival, Mehreen has an important role to play on such an

influential platform.

Beyond the reels of her camera, Mehreen was also involved

with the NGO, WAR (War Against Rape) during its initial years.

She volunteered and participated in court hearings, interviews,

meetings and legal counsel for some. Mehreen agrees that

connecting with victims leaves an impact. She says, Working

with them played an important part in my consciousness and

awareness and gave me an opportunity to be involved directly

rather than just telling stories.

The essence of a strong and independent woman makes

regular appearances in her work. Women fight poverty througheducation in Daamwhile in a short film from the series Spenta,

Mary aur Zubeida, wives leave their abusive husbands and a

middle aged women falls in love amidst opposition in the

telefilm Shaam Se Pehle. As she discusses women in her

creations, Mehreen makes it clear that they are all snatches of

the real world. She says, The good news is that we have more

women in the work force now. There are a growing number of

It has ideally been a tradition

that I am carrying forward.I try to show women of thisage and the issues they facein my way.

Mehreen Jabbar

Mehreen Jabbar at work

PHOTOGRAPH:ADEELHUSAIN


7/7



emancipationn

middle class women who can differentiate between the good

and the bad. Many NGOs too have cropped up. Also, most of

the successful drama writers who are women are talking about

important issues relating to women.

Ultimately however, it is the authority which has to make

a difference. Mehreen agrees that laws need to change, but also

underlines that it cannot occur overnight. Even then, laws do

not change attitudes. She adds, A lot of violence against

women goes unreported. Domestically, mostly, the male

aggression is aimed directly towards the woman. But, I think

the government too has its hands full with other issues so its

commitment to emancipation of women is still in theory. Its

time for something to be done.

Meanwhile, Fatimah interestingly observes there are no

laws restricting womens education, employment or civicparticipation in Pakistan. There are however pseudo laws

such as cultural norms, practices, traditions and such, that

tend to favour men. Looking at the good number of women

parliamentarians, the government is expected to be more

attentive towards their needs. Historically, Pakistan has always

secretly admired its heroines. Right from the popular Fatima

Jinnah to her namesake and modern activist, Fatimah Bhutto,

womens welfare has been a hot issue to campaign for. Her

aunt, Benazir Bhutto, created history when she became the

first woman ever to head an Islamic state followed by this

years election of the first female speaker of the house,

Fahmida Mirza. And, lets not forget their latest and most good

looking foreign minister yet, Hina Rabbani Khar whose arrival

in India received more coverage than the Obamas. Meanwhile,

outside the parliament, Pakistans womens cricket team,

which was once threatened, is now applauded and favoured.

South Asias fastest female runner Naseem Hameed too is

their own.

Through all this, Pakistan which has received flak for its

way of handling affairs is, by the looks of it, now on the right

track, thanks to the women mentioned above. Deep social

acceptance will take time but till then, lets encourage the onesthat have challenged the contemporary. With the wind changing

directions, seems like the worst has passed and by the laws of

the society, it can only get better from here. Apologies on

sounding too optimistic, but historically, nobody can stop a

woman with a mission. This article has mentioned three

achievers from Pakistan, and by the way its going, its certain

that the future will have no problems noticing the rest.

Documents

Pakistani Women