The first is to challenge existing social and individual attitudes that accept violence against women as ‘normal’
ISLAMABAD: The life of a woman in Pakistan may be subjected to many challenges, yet it may also provide her an opportunity to shine and overcome obstacles.
In their early years of life, women, especially from the rural areas, face discrimination in various forms. In worst cases, she is malnourished as preference is given to feeding male members of the family. In later stages, discrimination in the right to education and restricting her to household chores are other challenges.
Millions of other girls and women face discrimination; they are not just deprived of food but also denied an education, are forced into dowry marriages, have little or no access to health services, and suffer violence. As violence against women varies in its nature and manifestations, there are two major critical challenges for all those working in the area of violence against women. The first is to challenge and change existing social and individual attitudes that accept violence against women as ‘normal’. The second is to bring together diverse local, national, regional and international efforts working towards ending violence against women.
Every year, thousands of women of all ages in rural areas of Pakistan are reportedly killed in the name of ‘honour’. The lives of millions of women are constrained by traditions. Women are not given the choice to work or gain independence from their families, even without a husband. The Pakistani culture still heavily insists that the right place for women is in the home. Pakistan lacks the women’s revolution that swept across the West, especially the radical idea that women can live without men. Views of women in Asian countries may also contribute to the rate of domestic violence in Asian communities. Sexual harassment of women in public and at workplaces is common, and while frequently reported in the media, it is rarely reported to the police.
Women’s rights around the world are an important indicator to understand global well-being. The majority of the world’s nations ratified a major global women’s rights treaty a few decades ago. Women bear almost all responsibility for meeting the basic needs of the family, yet are systematically denied the resources, information and freedom of action they need to fulfil this responsibility. Gender equality furthers the cause of child survival and development for all members of society, so the importance of women’s rights and gender equality should not be underestimated. Women workers’ struggle for the right to organise for justice in working conditions, higher wages, maternity and other benefits, childcare facilities, housing and transportation. This includes the struggle of women for employment and financial independence.
I believe in the power of women and that this power has the capacity to challenge existing norms and structures. Equity of employment opportunity is necessary for women’s development and empowerment. Women, through their collective and people-oriented, non-competitive forms of organisations, have shown that they have the courage to experiment with new forms of political action and new models for the transformation of society.
Anam Hayat
Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2016.
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