Daily Times

Tell us about your foray into the field of activism. How did it all begin for you?

Frankly, I can’t date the start of my activism. It is the sense of fairness and sensitivity to discrimination that creates the spirit and desire for activism. I became politically aware during the anti-Ayub agitation of the late 1960s and the seeds of activism were sown then.

You have also been a university lecturer and a writer. Tell us about that. How do you divide your time between all that you do?

It is really a matter of understanding one’s responsibilities and interests and learning how to manage time. These are self learnt skills.

You are the chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women. How did this platform come into being and how passionate do you feel about women empowerment?

Given the condition and situation of women in the country, two short term commissions were formed by the government – one in 1976 another in 1983 – to undertake an analysis of women’s status in the country, identify issues and gaps and make recommendations to address them. Women’s rights activists and organisations felt that the need was for a permanent commission on women that could pursue making of laws, policies and interventions for ensuring women’s rights across the country and also monitor their implementation. This became a demand of the women’s movement in the 1980s and it was finally in 2000 that NCSW was formed. It now operates under the NCSW Act 2012 with an expanded scope and mandate which includes review of laws and policies, recommendation of new laws or amendments to existing ones, developing systems of monitoring, research to generate evidence for policy making, networking with civil society networks, engaging with parliamentarians, etc.

What are some of the praiseworthy accomplishments by the commission under your wing?

In my term as chairperson of NCSW, first in 2013-2015 and again from 2016 to date, the commission has tried to work systematically. It defined its priority areas: women’s economic participation, violence again women and women’s participation in decision making especially elections – these are three key dimensions affecting women’s lives and status from the household to society. Under me NCSW has been involved in drafting of laws related to rape and honour killing, domestic violence, Hindu marriages, elections reforms among others. Monitoring of Elections in 2013 and gave recommendations most of which got incorporated in the Election Law 2017. NCSW has observed Elections 2018 using a specially devised checklist to observe women’s participation in select constituencies across the country and monitoring incidence of acid crime across the country. Last three years of monitoring show decline in acid crime. Monitoring access to justice through research and following select high profile cases. Access to justice research report highlights problems in women’s access to justice in rape cases under the Women Protection act 2006. Women’s Economic Empowerment Status Report 2016 and Rural Women Status Report 2018 to be used as benchmarks for tracking progress in these areas. Standardised indicators on violence against women (VAW) to be used for gathering data on VAW. Newsletters, NCSW Annual Reports for information and recommendations for policies and advocacy were also a part of our efforts. Website and Facebook page, Interprovincial Women Ministers Group for coordination, referrals and information sharing between provinces on women’s issues, laws and policies and complaints as well as policy briefs for Standing Committees were among our initiatives.

                                                  Achievements

MASTER OF ALL TRADES

Khawar Mumtaz wears many feathers in her cap. She is not just a leading women’s rights activist but also a recognised university lecturer and an award-winning writer.

STRONG VOICE FOR WOMEN

Khawar Mumtaz has been a founding member of the Women’s Action Forum and was one of the three leaders appointed to coordinate the women’s rights organisation Shirkat Gah. She routinely speaks publicly at lectures and training centres, particularly in fields such as women and development and environment challenges facing women and health.

RECOGNITION AT HOME

She is a the recipient of the Prime Minister’s award for her book Women of Pakistan; Two Steps Forward One Step Back? She is also a recipient of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) award for her work in social service and promoting female equality.

INTERNATIONAL FIGURE

In 2005, Mumtaz was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

What other women empowerment platforms do you admire in the country?

Women’s Action Forum, non-governmental organisation networks like Ending Violence Against Women & Girls and Home Net Pakistan.

‘All educated women are not necessarily empowered’

You are a highly qualified lady with a Masters degree in International Relations and French as well. How important a role does education play in a woman’s life if she has to lead an empowered life? Does that mean that uneducated women can never attain empowerment?

Education opens horizons to ideas and information but life provides its own lessons that motivate women, gives them a sense of worth and power. All educated women are not necessarily empowered. There are many women who have been outstanding, leaders and trail blazers and were not educated eg Veeru Kohli, a bonded labourer who stood for election against a powerful person in Sindh.

You have also been a founding member of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF). In what ways has Pakistan been successful in giving its women freedom, empowerment and their due rights over the years you’ve witnessed?

WAF was created to reject discriminatory laws of Ziaul Haq, asserted women’s rights and demanded equal rights as citizens of the country. Its activism brought women’s issue on the country’s social, political and legislative agenda. It inspired women and gave them and their issues visibility. While there are laws, implementation of laws and guarantee of equal rights still have a long way to go.

Tell us a bit about your experience as coordinating leader for Shirkat Gah. What according to you has been your biggest achievement so far?

Shirkat Gah is the first feminist organisation of Pakistan founded in 1976. It is acknowledged for its research – some pioneering – on home based workers, women and the environment, women law and status, women’s reproductive health and rights, to name some areas. Its publications, training manuals and advocacy materials are widely used. It works with the grass roots, as well as duty bearers, elected representatives and globally. It was the institution where my understanding, learning and experience developed.

You are also the proud recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for one of your books. What is your vision for Pakistan and what does it mean to be Pakistani for you?

The award is for the book on the Muslim women’s movement and struggle for rights in the sub-continent from the turn of the 20th Century to the mid ‘80s. This book was Women Of Pakistan, Two Steps Forward, One Step Back? It was written by me and Farida Shaheed, a colleague and fellow traveler in the women’s movement. It was a joint award. Both of us have continued to write on women’s issues and are engaged in advocacy.

Published in Daily Times, August 1^st 2018.