Women cant be silenced
“Truth is a gift, a burden, and a responsibility. And I mean to share it. This is the story you don’t want to hear when you ask me about Pakistan. But this is what you need to hear.”
The sexual harassment in South Asia and especially in Pakistan arises from the value system of a patriarchal society that looks upon women as ‘sexual prize’, ‘commodity’ and ‘upholder of honour’. Different stages, from childhood to maturity, are marked by vulnerability to different forms of violence. So for example, girl children are vulnerable to abuse, infanticide and early marriage. To say the least, it stems from their inferior status in society.
Despite all the hitches and weights, we saw prominent figures like Fatima Jinnah, Begum Shahnawaz, Salma Tassaduque Hussain, Begum Liaqat Ali Khan and Fatima Sughra, there were countless women who dedicated their lives to the Pakistan movement. It is a parallel story of courage and labour, a voice that invigorated the struggle, but was unheard when the deafening roar of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ rang out. Succeeding the footsteps of these women it was again a group of women who started the real wave of struggle in 1980 and as a reaction to military dictator’s controversial laws against women and basic human rights. 100 brave women publicly opposed the unjust rulings, raised awareness and challenged the dictator. Women from all spheres participated who spoke against the government in the media, protested on the streets, conducted educational campaigns in schools. If I say, 100 women actually started the fight for democracy, I won’t be incorrect. Unfortunately, the momentum decreased once Nawaz Sharif took office in 1997 after PPP Govt and women found themselves losing ground to political conservatism and religious revivalism.
Thus, despite strides made towards liberation of women, and their increasing mobility, political participation, jobs, overt and covert harassment has not stopped. Hence, in some cases when individuals, groups and political parties want to insult or humiliate or defame their opponents, they harass, intimidate, dishonor, rape or insult and ridicule women. Perpetrators vent their frustrations by victimizing women, which is all over our society these days.
Women in Pakistan have had to deal with hooting, whistling and in extreme cases physical harassment at public events for a long time. Add that to the perception of the general Pakistani male about PTI rallies, fuelled by stories of “illicit” behavior that had sprung up since the grand protests in Islamabad, and you had a disaster waiting to happen. Your average Pakistani male believes that a woman below a certain age is asking for it if she is found in public or among guys in anything less than a Hijab. No team of security can battle this mindset.
Earlier it was more difficult and women were discouraged to be in politics, but now more and more women are participating and making noise. Again Nawaz Sharif is in power, who cultivated under the military dictator and carries the same mindset, but time has changed for women of Pakistan in the 21st century and you cannot cannot stop us by such cheap tactics and reduce us to homes or to shut us up.
#WeAreTheProudWomenOfPakistan, determined, in control and not linked with anyone’s honour. We have a voice in every walk of life now and particularly in politics. So beware, because WE ARE AWARE !