Women in the rural areas have little voice, limited economic and social power
ISLAMABAD: It is an undeniable reality that the position of women in Pakistan, especially those living in rural areas, is very difficult — be it economically, politically or socially. Women have little voice, limited economic and social power, and they are not organised or united as one, meaning they cannot stand up to the powers that be for their rights.
When I reflect upon the plight of women in the rural areas of Sindh, I can say without hesitation that their situation can be compared with that of women in Ethiopia. Women in other African countries such as Uganda and Tanzania are much better placed than women in Sindh’s rural areas today.
Indeed, we have a plethora of relevant laws, policies, programmes and projects for the uplift of women, so much so that we even have a National Commission on the Status of Women at the federal level. We also have women’s welfare departments in the provinces and women from elite families in prominent positions in the corridors of power and politics. The sad part — despite all the efforts — is that there has been no significant improvement in the lives and conditions of the women in Pakistan.
Hashim Abro
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2016.
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