KARACHI:
Like other countries around the world, Pakistan too observed the International Women’s Day on March 8 with much fervour. In this regard, demands made by women worldwide are basic and fundamental. They call for gender equality, non-violence, economic empowerment and protection against harassment.
Unfortunately, Pakistan remains a country where the birth of a female child is still deemed a burden. What majority of parents need to understand is that a girl child is no less, if not more, than a male child. One girl can change the world if her potential is realised; she can impact the growth of an entire community. According to human rights watchdogs, women in our country are victims of rape and domestic abuse on a daily basis. Every day, women in Pakistan are bullied, discriminated against, physically attacked and killed, simply for making choices about the way they wish to lead their lives.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world”. Let us take this opportunity to celebrate women at the forefront of the battle against Covid-19 as health sector workers, scientists, doctors and caregivers despite the gender pay parity. It remains a sad fact that women continue to face discriminatory practices such as sexual harassment, gender wage and exclusionary policies at the work place, which restricts them from advancing their careers.
Gender-based discrimination can only be eliminated by challenging norms, transforming habits, changing laws and inspiring others to follow suit. To ensure progress in different fields, we must enable women to participate fully and effectively in leadership roles. It is about time that we, women, claim the space that men have dominated for so long. Shirley Chisholm, the first black US Congresswoman, rightly said: “If they do not give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”.
Salma Tahir
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2021.
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