It was back in October 2017, when some of the well known universities in Punjab had issued certain directives for female students regarding their attire dresses, conduct on the campus. Male students were prohibited from sitting in the areas reserved for females no mingling even in the cafeteria etc. The story still continues. I believe such directives are hardly resisted practically but just on social media. Even in the biggest universities girls and boys have segregated areas even in the cafeteria. Institutions of higher education where the vision should be the academic excellence, our administrations are just promoting segregation and isolation for both genders. The reason to recall the whole incident was a notification by elementary and secondary Education Department KP, shared by a friend on whatsapp telling us “No male Minister, Member of Parliament, Member of Provincial Assembly or Officer shall be invited to the girl’s schools as Chief Guest. It further notes: “No function/program held in the girl’s schools shall be aired on social media and there will be complete ban on media coverage of such functions in government girls’ schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” Another news item said that the decision came after the photos of female students were shared on social media. The notification left me with many questions boggling mind. It’s quite interesting that the reform always starts with something related to women and girls in our society as if she is the reason for all sorts of ethical and moral deterioration. I would like to quote the university student who while talking about the female participation in politics said that women can participate but they shouldn’t lose their moral value. And someone questioned that what do you think for men and the moral values for them?
Gender, faith discrimination, marginalization along with radicalisation and extremism did exist even at the time of Pakistan’s inception, but instead of handling it, it was nurtured by both the dictators and democratic governments, just to sustain the rule longer. An addition to these elements has been there trograding culture at times stronger than the religious directives. Though simultaneous attempts, continued on one side reducing the space for females and empowering efforts on the other. In the recent past there were some positive development with many examples of females excelling in the fields meant for men purely .But still the female population of Pakistan has to strive hard to get into main stream by coping with multiple challenges and barriers of religion camouflaged in cultural norms .No doubt the constitution ensures equal rights but in the mean time discrimination, both structural andnon structural still exists and continues and the recent aforementioned directive by the advisor to CM KP is quite startling .
The ban on coverage of female events is a kind of reversal of the efforts made to pull out women from discrimination and segregation,it’s a step towards structural discrimination which really needs to be rethought seriously, if we want to see women contributing for a progressive society in KP
It seems that the sudden thought transformed into a notification without keeping in consideration the long term impacts of the decison. It is all about pushing girls into isolation and discriminating against their achievements by letting their success go unnoticed. If something will remain unnoticed let’s not put the maximum efforts as who would know it. The first step has been taken to put the competent capable girls in a demotivating under-confident situation, which may ultimately hinder their desire to excel. One female MPA justified that it is on a lighter note and will create opportunities for female parliamentarians to be a part of these events leading to an assumptions that may be the male MPAs are not trustworthy to be sent to the girls schools, if so then I think they shouldn’t even sit in the legislature. The decision is the worst step dealing with all the students, all schools, with one stick amidst many other visible constraints towards marginalising the marginalised. We have been talking about the structural discrimination about religious minorities as they are less in number and minorities face discrimination all around the world but if it is done for the half population of the country which is already in astruggle for equality and equal opportunities what are going to be the consequences.? The imposition of a ban media coverage of events in girls schools is a step to further marginalise the females, plus a loss in the confidence and may make their learning and growth static. Are we planning to retain these girls in just their own schools and they wouldn’t participate in any competition internationally? What would be the result in such scenario if a girls from an environment with the total absence of men and males turns up to participate in an international event? will we ask the authorities to not allow the male chief guests? It is a fact that any competition any activity away from your home ground and home crowd has immense pressure and is the real evaluation of the competencies .Isn’t it fair enough to say that it will minimizelearning and competency Why present men as aliens in a society where interaction with the males is going to occur once the girls are in a university or at work place? Thirdly aren’t we expecting these girls to get qualified and be a part of development process? Will we create separate work places for them with females all around or will they be working in the same departments? How will we develop mutual respect for the opposite gender if such directives are initiated as they will equally marginalise males as well?
Peaceful coexistence is possible with mutual respect and the acceptance of differences of faith and gender. In Primary and secondary education already the content in the text books is male dominated, male oriented with minimum space for women to be heroes and such restrictions would further strengthen the patriarchal attitudes in the society .
Role of the media also needs to be monitored. I still remember a video of a talent show presented by a channel with very in appropriate descriptions totally ignoring cultural sensitivity and the major component of the talent show was totally ignored. Media really needs to be sensitized and educated. It is unfair and discriminatory that due to the fault of a media person and ill planning of the school’s administration, it these girls that suffer. The authorities in schools again have to be vigilant keeping in view the cultural constraints and again I think it’s the media ethics that the image portraying an individual must be published with the prior permission and consent of individual and institutions. Instead of looking for a balanced well thought remedy a direct surgery is proposed without the proper diagnosis of the issue depriving the competent students of the chance to show case their achievements and success. How can we prepare our females for competition and contribution in such segregated environment?
Change in perception regarding different gender roles and respect has to initially start from home with the acceptance of genders as human beings. After the family it is the school which can help in improving the understanding of the diversity of genders positively rather than presenting the opposite genders as aliens. Let the teachers promote the acceptance of diversity of genders. School is a sacred place no matter a male enters a girls school or a female enters a boys school the sanctity of the institution is the dominant feeling rather than any other feeling. The ban on coverage of female events is a kind of reversal of the efforts made to pull out women from discrimination and segregation,it’s a step towards structural discrimination which really needs to be rethought seriously, if we want to see women contributing for a progressive society particularly in KP. The vision of new Pakistan needs to be inclusive rather than based on exclusion.
The writer has experience in the field of education and is currently working as a resource person in the development sector
Published in Daily Times, November 3rd 2018.