A cursory look at the status and contribution of Muslim women pertaining to Indo - Pak subcontinent glaringly exposes the fact that they who remained in the forefront during struggle to establish a separate home land for Muslims in India and braved through the auguries with dignity were exposed to challenges of one or the other hue once the mission was accomplished.
This is ironical as the very women, very rightly expected to contribute towards freedom struggle, were largely attempted to have no substantial political role in the newly created country, though the nation was expected to be modern and progressive. Women were but very subtly denied any direct involvement in the decision making process.
Yet, all this did not deter the strong willed who not only successfully changed their life course but also emerged as beacon for thousands of others, both in rural and urban sector. The challenge or to be more precise the hindrances initially garbed under facet of social values were later witnessed to have their strong economic and political connotations, in particular context of our country.
A deliberate attempt was made to do away with a middle class - educated segment of the society replaced by a nova riche or those in the lowest rung of poverty. This was but resisted by moderate elements with a modern approach, in its truest meaning. Against all odds, educational status and level of awareness continued to be substantially improved.
Education followed by health sector, which initially were the domain of women willing to reflect their caliber and excel their professional competency gradually broadened to other fields right from economic arena as banking and corporate sector, to media and politics.
Despite the fact that here too women were attempted to be treated as pawns yet the latter's determination made the world realize that she owing to situations may opt for temporary compromises but has the determination and capacity to make the dent in the statuesque and move forward with grace towards conditions which could not be altered.
Yes, the achievement for some of the prominent ladies were by virtue of their ancestry and family background, but for hundreds of thousands this was due to sheer will power and commitment to the cause. Why to overlook the thousands of women councilors who during a short span of three years, during the very recent past, reflected their acumen and did bring certain change in the lives of the people they represented.
But celebrating the 58th anniversary of our independence in the year 2005 we find that the dichotomy has become all the more evident in the Pakistani society where a woman is found carving a niche for herself - also presumably extended all respect yet continues to be exposed to gender based discriminations.
There are customs reflecting feudalistic and tribal mindset, which continue to haunt many of the local women, mainly rural based ladies, as Karo Kari or Honor Killings. Under the practice here women are largely made escape goat by the families or clan to settle scores enemies - male member of the opponents may be killed along with ones' own sister, wife or daughter for having an illicit relationship.
Urban women, with better education and socio-economic opportunities are a little better off and comparatively empowered. Ironically, however, no more than 30% of the country's total population is urban. Rural women despite their contribution to national economy, as agricultural workers, are largely marginalized and vulnerable to biased traditions.
It would not be out of context to mention that large majority of Pakistan comprises Muslims and Islam being a religion of Justice with the attributes Adl-e-Ahsan (equity) provides protection to women so much so that even the false accusation of unchastity is disliked in Sura Nur. Verse 11 and the verse 4 of the same Surah, provided punishment of eighty stripes in addition to disqualification as witness, forever to those who accuse chaste women of adultery.
Yet hundreds of women are registered to be killed at the altar of Honor. The situation can be attributed to the fact that Pakistan is a feudal society where traditions and customs have prevailed upon.
Available surveys reveal that a large majority of local women are also exposed to gender based discrimination in both rural and urban areas - domestic violence and harassment at work place are among the few that often go unnoticed as victims fear to be ostracized.
Studies established that women are largely unconscious of their rights. 45 % of them accept violence as way of life, 33 percent do not react as they consider themselves helpless, 19 percent protest and only four percent retaliate and suffer the most.
Positive development is the fact that government of Pakistan
has reflected its political will to address the situation and an "Access to Justice Programme
" has been introduced under Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, with major focus on legal aid for women and appointment of women judges
in higher judiciary.
The tackling of the issue of honor killing has also been attempted. It was only recently that Honor Crime has been included in the Pakistan Penal Code, while definition of Wali has also been reviewed ensuring that convicted or accused may not be offered any protection under garb of wali (that is father, son, brother or uncle of the victim). Moreover, tribal customs of Sawara and Vini under which any member of her family gave women as price for murder committed has also been declared a crime.
Meanwhile, taking note of the anti woman stance adopted under Hudood Ordinance, an amendment has been in the same under which no individual could be apprehended under Hudood Law lest courts order so that too after receiving an investigation report based on thorough enquiry undertaken by a police officer with a rank of no less than Superintendent Police.
Despite all these measures, need for state sponsored efforts to change the feudal mind set of people settled both in rural and urban sectors along with economic and political empowerment of women can not be overlooked. Fortunately women have been provided 33% representation at all levels of decision-making bodies.
Yet, what is registered to be missing is the realization on part of women to inculcate sense of gender equality among their off spring, particularly in their sons which may further be incorporated in the educational curriculum of local schools.
Here one may mention that Pakistan despite
being signatory to Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is yet to ratify Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its Toto, which may also warrant certain modification in the country's constitution itself.
Legal concession extended to foreign wives of Pakistani men is much needed for women citizens of the country too. The distinction is reflective of gender discrimination and needs to be rectified. It was on much persuasion on part of the National Commissions on Women Status that children born to Pakistani mothers with fathers of alien origin have been authorized, through an amendment to seek Pakistani citizenship.
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