Can Women be Equal in Pakistan?

It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as
prisoners.( Quaid-e-Azam)

Women in Pakistan, though facing tough challenges, can be equal due to their fast empowerment supported by
effective media, progressive policies, and changing mind set. In practice, women are victims of financial
discrimination, inhuman customs and laws such as Karo Kari, Qasas and marriage to the Quran and half witnesses
according to the state law. In contrast, the recent political, legal, educational and social measures by the liberal
forces are strengthening the ‘weaker sex.’

On March 10, 1944, Quaid-e-Azam addressed a meeting of the Muslim University Union (Aligarh): "It is a crime
against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. You should take your
women along with you as comrades in every sphere of life."

Challenges to Women’ equality in Pakistan

The Pakistani state is heavily dependent on mullahs and feudal/tribal sardars for its ideological and political
legitimacy, respectively.

In the presence of such feudal/tribal chiefs, no military dictator was afraid of holding of elections. In return, they
are given a free hand in their constituencies. Besides, women are being prevented to participate in the electoral
process both as voters and candidates.

In the rural areas, women are like slaves subject to labour, considered as foolish creatures according to the
dominant social and cultural norms. Likewise, marriage is also a sort of trade between different families.

A woman's right to liberty is restricted in the name of modesty, protection and prevention of immoral activity. As
for the Mullahs, though they played no role in the creation of Pakistan, they managed to assert themselves through
the civil bureaucracy and conservative politicians. When Zia imposed his dictatorial rule, he fully used the mullahs
against the secular parties. The jihadi groups intimidated democratic elements and suppression of women.

The tragedy with the women' movements is that women from the upper classes, have never had to suffer the same
ordeals as the women of the oppressed classes. Our cultural system has made male as the earning hand and, thus,
kept the women financially weak. In the near past, limited education increased their ignorance.

The Factors which will ensure Gender-Equality

Judicial activism should be observed strictly. Our constitution guarantees (under articles 25 & 34) equality of both
sex.
True interpretation of religion should be by authentic scholars on TV channels.
Weak but flourishing democracy will maintain one man one vote, thus one male should be equal to one female.
Rising poverty will leave us with no choice but accepting women participation in national production. Now
women’ freedom is not an option but a completion.
Awareness should be created by Media about their issues. It shows injustice done against them like Mukhtara Mai
case. Such cases in the past should not go unnoticed and unjustified.
Spread of Education, especially for women and awareness about their rights and duties.
NGOs, though doing not so fair but at large they are serving the women against all sorts of injustice. Foreign aid
is given to NGOs.
 Global wake up about women’ importance.

Steps Taken by the Present Government

Liberal Leadership - Musharraf and the present PPP regime, role of Fozia Wahab, Fahmida Mirza and newly
appointed Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Women’ Protection bill to minimize the negative effects of Hadood ordinance.
33% Seats in the Parliament according to LFO of 2002 from 17%.
Recruitment of Women in Army.
Addition of 10% quota in CSS.
Awareness by workshop, seminars and newspaper.
Research, documentation and publication on violent issues related to women.
Crises and shelter centers.
Free education in rural area.
Voices and activities of NGOs at local and international levels.

Number of seats allocated for women:

N.A = 60 Sindh = 29
Punjab = 66 N.W.F.P = 22
In the presence of such feudal/tribal chiefs, no military dictator was afraid of holding of elections. In return, they
are given a free hand in their constituencies.

Effects of gender discrimination:

Increased poverty due to non participation of 51% population. The rise of China and India is also due to the active
participation of women.
Honor killing and Vani are against human rights and the principles of Islam but only supported by the egoistical
minds.
Marriage with Quran is the outcome of diseased minds of the feudal lords.
Pessimism in women is snatching all their potential, abilities and hopes to excel in life.
Worldwide criticism of Pakistan as an ignorant country like Afghanistan.
Domestic violence is a routine practice due to low status of women.
Population growth as the female is not the decision makers about the family planning

Pragmatic Solutions
Easy and free Education will generate awareness about rights and duties. Technical education will provide job
opportunities. Financial empowerment for the women should be enhanced. Media should play its role in creating
awareness. Women must use their voting power as a tool for gender change. They should form alliances across
social groups i.e. trade unions, peasant associations and artisans etc. The women councilors can provide leadership
at local level.
Microfinance provides a stable and sustainable source of income that enables women to climb steadily out of
poverty. Solution of all these problems did not require big budgets but all it needed was good governance and
political will.

To sum up, Pakistani women still have to go a long way to achieve their birth right of ‘equality’. The optimistic
side makes this task possible due to inevitable but positive changes.

“If Eve was the cause of Adam’s expulsion from Heaven, it is Eve now who has made the earth a heaven.” Goethe
glorifies the woman status.