A new chapter

The SMU has done a fine job by formulating a proposal to include a chapter on violence against women in textbooks

The Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit has done a fine job by formulating a proposal to include a chapter on violence against women in textbooks, a suggestion quickly approved by the chief minister. The chapter will be included in Matriculation and Intermediate Urdu textbooks. When seen through the lens of cold and hard statistics, one would be tempted to think that Punjab, more than any other province, needed this modest but crucial initiative: as many as eight women are raped, 11 assaulted, 32 abducted and six face murder attempts in Punjab every day. However, other parts of the country are not immune to shocking crimes against women and girls either, and it is important that this initiative is replicated in other provinces as well.

Gender-based inequality and discrimination are at the heart of gender-related violence in our society. While many may argue that this move will only make a minuscule impact in terms of fighting this menace, these baby steps are necessary to lay the groundwork for waging a wider battle. According to reports, the textbook chapter would educate students regarding the perils of violence against women and equip them with the intellectual ability to handle social challenges without resorting to cruelty. It is also important that the chapter talks about the importance of viewing women as individuals who have the right and ability to make independent decisions. Too often, women are subjected to violence for trying to lead their lives the way they want to. There was recently the tragic news of a man killing his sister for voting in the local government polls in Islamabad, after he had forbidden her from doing so. Our curriculum is reflective of a male-dominated society where women issues and problems faced by other marginalised groups remain ignored. Including a chapter on violence against women is welcome, but this should only be the first step in instituting long range curriculum reforms that focus on imparting ideas of tolerance, non-violence and a more liberal Pakistan to our younger generation.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th,  2015.

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