For the marginalised: A space for silenced voices in Swat’s first women assembly

Residents ask MPAs to resolve problems of domestic violence, lack of job opportunities.

MINGORA: A ‘women’s assembly’ in Saidu Sharif gave the underrepresented sex an opportunity to air their troubles in front of elected representatives and members of the ruling party on Sunday.

The assembly was organised by a women’s jirga in Swat. First of its kind, the jirga took form earlier this year in June. Awakening, a non-governmental organisation, also provided support for the assembly which was attended by a large number of women, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Salim ur Rehman, MPA Fazal Hakim and dozens of PTI office bearers.

The problems raised at the assembly covered the spectrum – domestic, financial, educational, infrastructural and local governance.

Study hard, stay at home

“Jobs are given based on influence and bribes; children of poor families are always ignored. Four of my children are educated but they are jobless,” said Tahria from Khona Cham.

Many young women present held graduate degrees and complained of zero job opportunities. “I have a master’s degree in Physics. In addition to the MSc, I also have two other degrees, including a bachelor’s in education.  I have been applying for government jobs but have not gotten one yet,” complained Yasmeen Gul, a young woman from Saidu Sharif Shagai.

Facing the fist

Physical abuse by their husbands was one of the issues of paramount importance discussed at the women’s assembly.

“My husband beats me daily. He is a drug addict and does not work. I want to educate my five children but cannot afford to,” shared Naseem from Baligram village. She wanted the government to step up, support her in educating her girls and send her husband to a rehabilitation centre for drug addiction.

Tabbassum Adnan, head of the women’s jirga in Swat, presented a score of issues faced by women in the area. Violence against women in male-dominated societies tops the list of things which should be effectively banned, said Adnan. “A bill against domestic violence should be passed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa like other parts of the country.”

Adnan demanded the government provide education and health facilities to women within their villages. “Women in Swat face many hardships which can be brought to an end by the government.”

The head of the jirga pointed out the atrocities inflicted on women in Darul Aman – government run shelters – go unnoticed and have to be brought to an end.

“Government officials in all institutions must be trained on how to behave with women,” Adnan told the elected representatives.

Members of the jirga demanded the government introduce theology classes for non-Muslims in schools as a parallel to Islamic studies which are mandatory for Muslim students.

In response to the women’s demands, MNA Salim ur Rehman and MPA Fazal Hakim assured that their issues would be resolved.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2013.