Daily Times

The status of gender equality and women empowerment in Pakistan has been a focus of intense domestic and international attention. Unfortunately, this attention has been primarily due to the apparent violation of the fundamental rights of women in Pakistani Society. Not only women are deprived of the rights of equality in all walks of life, but also children are prone to this discrimination either in the form of social, political or economic aspects. Moreover, time and again we have seen their rights being denied in both public and private sphere of life.

It’s sorrowful to say that the Gender Gap Index 2015 ranked Pakistan second from the bottom among 145 countries in terms of the prevalence of gender-based disparities. Published annually by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum, the Index measures national gender gaps in economy, politics, education and health. The Index ranked Pakistan 143rd in economic participation and opportunity, 135th in educational attainment, 125th in health and survival, and 87th in political empowerment.

According to a report by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in 2015,1096 girls became victims of honour killings in Pakistan. 144 of them were burnt to death by acid or fire, while 939 became victims of rape. IA poll by the Thomson Reuters Foundation in 2011 ranked Pakistan the third most dangerous country in the world for women, after Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On the other side, the parliament made 20 laws in 2015. The provincial legislatures adopted 120 laws. With 40 laws enacted, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had the highest legislative output, followed by Sindh (32), Punjab (31) and Balochistan (17). The provinces continued to use expanded legislative authority under the 18th Constitutional Amendment to enact several important laws, but implementation mechanism lagged behind.

Violence against women is widespread and prevalent on wide level from Khyber to Karachi. No other issue is so contentious and well debated in the politics of contemporary societies as the question of gender and politics. Women activists all over the world have begun to question political inequality among the sexes. They have raised fundamental questions about the essence of the male-dominated democratic system in which women find themselves formally or informally excluded from political power. In recent decades, they have focused on the vital issues of empowerment, rights, social and political equality and discrimination in its all forms. The feminist movement even in a male-dominated, a socially conservative society like Pakistan has brought into sharp focus more or less the same issues about the social status of the women and their inadequate representation in the political power and participation in politics.

Just to highlight for my readers that in the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, Article 34 states that steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national life. Article 9 defines that security of person; no person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law. Article 25: Equality of citizens, 1. All citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law. 2. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone. 3. Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children. Article 27 states that “Safeguard against discrimination in services. No citizen otherwise qualified for appointment in the service of Pakistan shall be discriminated against in respect of any such appointment on the ground only of race, religion, caste, sex, residence or place of birth. Article 34: Full Participation of women in national life, steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national life. Article 35 states that “Protection of family, etc. The state shall protect the marriage, the family, the mother and the child.

Here the question is,do these articles prevail all across the country in letter and spirit? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Women comprise more than 50 percent of Pakistan’s total population. Despite this, on average, the situation of Pakistani women vis-à-vis men is one of systemic gender subordination, although there have been attempts by the government and enlightened groups to elevate their status in society.

Like-minded organisations are working in Pakistan; even they are giving their best to build a Pakistan, which is free from all odds and injustices. Aurat Foundation from Punjab, Marvi Rural Development Organization from Sindh and many others like-mindedorganisationsare examples. These organisationsare working in all provinces and taken this initiative to work and to struggle for the rights of marginalised segments of the society. They are highlighting the issues related to women rights. Within Pakistan organisations like these are committed to create widespread awareness and commitment for a just, democratic and caring society, where women and men are recognised as equals, with the right to lead their lives with self-respect and dignity. These organisationsare building groups to strengthen their capacity to take initiatives to resolve women’s problems at the local level and to play a role in promoting more accountable governance and participatory democracy in the country.

We personally believe that we have to realise that woman issue is a woman’s issue. Complete, absolute and comprehensive freedom should be given to both sexes equally. The hypocrisy of the male gender must stop. We have to educate our children, teachour neighbourhood, our schools and workplace. We have to enlighten them. Let the common man know that he no longer has any control whatsoever over women. That a woman is free to do what she wants, say what she wants, and dress the way she wants, talk to whomever she wants. Then a change can come.

It is not as if nothing is being done in Pakistan with regard to women empowerment but whatever is being done, is clearly not enough. Most women in the country, especially in the rural areas, are being deprived of basic human rights. It is not only the duty of the government or NGOs to safeguard women’s rights. It is the duty of every citizen of Pakistan to ensure that his or her rights are protected. Women of Pakistan have to stand for their rights like Sughra Solangi, and many others did, and they succeeded.

Salman Ali is a social and political activist based in Lahore. He can be reached at salmanali088@gmail.com

Saira Ahmed is a social activist and can be reached at sairaahmedali088@gmail.com