Daily Times

Women from all walks of life gathered at a dhaaba on Jail Road to discuss women and the general elections.

Over a dozen women sat by the roadside and discussed women’s participation, their role, the number of seats and campaigns.

The participants were frustrated at the lack of inclusiveness in political campaigns and narratives of political parties. They were disappointed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) didn’t have many women candidates and has so far shown little commitment to women empowerment, rights and issues. One participant also added that the few women candidates or leaders present in political parties serve as tokens of women representation. The participants expressed fears regarding women related legislations being undone. They also feared a setback in the implementation of the existing laws. The comments passed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan on feminism were also discussed in detail. The group plans to become more active and reach out to political representatives directly when the need arises.

Osheen Fatima, a doctor by profession, said she had serious apprehensions when it comes to Imran Khan’s government in women empowerment.

“Imran Khan thinks women are meant to be mothers alone,” she said. “As a woman, I have serious reservations on that comment. I hope a man like him, who has lived a progressive life and married a woman abroad, will do better than that. Right now, he seems to be sold to the maulvis. I hope that changes.”

The discussion took place over tea and lasted for two hours. Most of the women were young working women. They vowed to get together again and even start a book club.

Noor Rahman, a student at the Lahore University of Management Sciences said, “Our first aim is to set up a dialogue for women and the third gender. Men tend to take over the political discourse and hijack the conversation. They generally have a feeling that they know more about politics. We are discussing the elections, their results and the impact of Naya Pakistan on women.”

Girls at Dhabas is a feminist collective that gained prominence through their Facebook and Instagram pages. Their main aim is to recover public spaces for women. This is a women-only initiative and the participants meet periodically in a male-dominated public space like a roadside dhaaba.

Published in Daily Times, August 5^th 2018.