Globally International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed with great fervour on March 8 every year, including Pakistan, to commemorate the achievements of women in various fields of life with a renewed global commitment to empower them. This year, the day was celebrated with the theme, “Think equal, build smart, and innovate for change.”
No doubt, this activity was important milestone for the independence of the women.During this day women demanded economic justice, including implementation of labour rights, end to sexual violence, domestic abuse and workplace harassment and implementation of pro-women laws. Interestingly, these women rallies brought forward alternative narratives on some of the pressing issues that Pakistani women face. Misogynists all over Pakistan are criticising and giving lame justifications but moral of the day is it was a massive show of strength from women.
Pakistani women are known for their resilience, intelligence, perseverance and incredibly strong-will that shaped the future of the nation and the globe and made Pakistan proud. However, accounting for nearly 52 percent of the total population, Pakistani women still continue to struggle to stand on equal footing socially, politically and economically with their male counterparts. Sadly, Pakistan is ranked at 148 out of 149 by the World Economic Forum in the Global Gender Gap Index. It is the lowest-ranked country in South Asia.
It’s a sheer reality that women in Pakistan have been constantly complaining of having been isolated from mainstream society. Women feel disillusioned on being maltreated by the male-oriented set up in Pakistan. They strongly claim that if they are given a chance, they can contribute more positively towards the development of all social aspects. However Pakistani society usually adopts a hostile attitude towards the women. Their development in society is hindered due to many factors.They are equal in potential as men. The Pakistani women live in the most diversified location of the tribal, feudal or urban environments. She can be a highly qualified and self-confident professional or a diffident peasant toiling along with her men-folk.
Just to highlight for my readers that Pakistan has adopted a number of key international commitments to gender equality and women’s human rights – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, and even the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite these commitments, Pakistan’s ranking for gender equality remains one of the lowest in the world.
Most women in the country, especially in the rural areas, are being deprived of basic human rights
Moreover, according tothe constitution of Pakistan,section 8 to28 deals with the fundamental rights of citizens which refer to the equal opportunities in all facets without any discrimination, ethnic diversity and gender. On the other hand, to stop the continues practice of violence against women numerous laws brought into operation such as Muslim Personal Law of Sharia (Bill recognised a woman’s right to inherit all forms of property.), Muslim Family Law Ordinance (MFLO) aimed to regulate the family affairs by protecting the women rights against unjust prevailing procedures of marriage, divorce, and polygamy, etc.),Hudood Ordinance (The ordinance was promulgated through an executive order, which was considered as against the rights of women), Women Protection Bill (Bill Its main purpose was to amend the laws under Hudood Ordinance as this ordinance victimised the women), Sexual Harassment Bill.It was for those Pakistani women, who have to interact mostly ill-mannered surrounding, especially when they come out of their homes for market places, traveling by local transport and when performing their duties at workplace, along with the male colleagues), Prevention of Anti- Women Practices Bill (The bill was to constitutionally protect Pakistani women against the abomination like giving a woman in marriage or otherwise in Badla-e-Sulha, Wani, or Sawara, marriage with the Holy Quran, and depriving women of their inheritance. This bill has proposed strong penalties for the offenders indulging in anti-women practices), Acid control and Acidcrime Prevention Bill (The bill aims to control the import, production, transportation, hoarding, sale and use of acid to prevent the misuse of acid and provide legal support to acid and burn victims. It recommended 14-years life imprisonment sentence and fines up of Rs1 million as a punishment for the perpetrator of this crime). Sadly, all these pro-women laws grant and protect the women rights theoretically not practically. These legislations are nothing more than a piece of paper.
My question to the parliamentarians and specifically women is that why constitutions specific articles 8, 9, 25, 27, 34, 35 and 37 (e) are not being implemented in true letter and spirit? Why state is keeping mum on this issue of women rights?
Some of the laws passed were possible due to civil society organisations and networks, who worked very hard to make citizens, parliamentarians and the government aware of women’s rights. Within the four provinces about 120 pro-women laws has been passed by the four provinces till date. But the question always is regarding the implementation process. On the other side, even the people are not aware about these laws, and state never ever started any awareness campaigns. Because of illiteracy, many women don’t know that as citizens of Pakistan, they have the right to life, freedom, a future. They need to learn they are equal citizens, that their hopes and dreams are legitimate, that they have a choice to decide how to live their lives.
For giving awareness and sensitising the communities, Ujala Networ is working all across Pakistan for the rights of women, girls, young people, transgender and person with disabilities. This network is continuously engaging policy makers and collaborating with 40- civil society organizations for proper awareness and implementation of pro-women laws and on other important issues. While talking to Zia-Ur-Rehman,the Director Ujala Network and member National Commission on the Status of Women said, “Mobilising and through building capacity women can fight to claim their rights, to demand justice from the legal system, and seek support from state.”
My request to the state is to fulfil its responsibility to protect the life, dignity and security of womenand giving them their fundamental rights. Moreover, to take concrete measures and actions to end the violence and murder of women on the pretext of ‘honour,’ to child marriages and child abuse; and to the ‘qisas’ and ‘diyat’ laws and the impunity they provide to perpetrators. However, one free suggestion to the PTI government is to work on the curriculum reforms as to include human rights and women rights chapters in national curriculum as it will change the mindset of students.
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 their rights are protected. Women of Pakistan have to stand for their rights like many outstanding females did and eventually succeeded.
The writer is a social and political activist based in Lahore
Published in Daily Times, March 15th 2019.