Sir: It augurs well for the future of a society that encourages freedom of speech to women and allows them to talk about their problems and issues in public. Recently, in a conference, an important topic, ‘Political participation and decision making’ by women was discussed. Unlike many other countries where women have still to attain equal status, Pakistan is perhaps one of the few fortunate countries where women had to struggle less for entering the political process. We have always had women holding high political office. Begum Rana Liaquat Ali, Begum Shaista Ikramullah, Begum Jahan Ara Shahnawaz and many more have been leading luminaries. Pakistan has had the privilege to have a woman as its prime minister. Now the speaker of the national assembly is a woman. Only if we learn to look at the brighter side, Pakistan has many good offerings to please the sight. ESHAL KHAN Karachi