Invisible force chokes women’s rights

“The invisible power, not the man, is against women’s rights,” said Prof Arfana Mallah. “Our struggle is against the societal ills, not against the man,” she added while speaking at a session titled, ‘International Women’s Day: Barabari Sarasari (equality),’ on the second day of the Sindh Literature Festival (SLF) on Saturday.

Prof Mallah claimed that there has been a decrease in the number of honour killings as she credited women’s movements for this drop. “A woman is not killed by her male family members now,” she said but added that now she is targeted in the name of honour by distant relatives. “The state also immediately responds to such killings,” she added.

Quoting historical background, writer Fehmida Riaz said that Pakistan’s women had started their struggle when a dictator was in power. “We do not have basic rights and have to struggle to get women’s rights,” she added.

Gyneacologist Dr Hazoora Shaikh underlined that women’s health was pivotal to building a better and healthier society. “Do not expect healthy baby from a weak mother. Give her better food, place and environment,” she suggested. “More than 50 per cent of women are confined to their homes. Their health has also been compromised,” Dr Shaikh said.

“We started our movement for women’s rights in Pakistan at a time when even the men were not allowed to speak publicly,” said Shahnaz Rahu of Sindhyani Tehreek. “A society cannot progress without the active participation of women,” she urged.

At another session titled, ‘Hum Bhi Tu Hain’ (we also exist), a transgender community activist Kami Sid urged the government to give due rights to the marginalised community. “The state has given nothing to us. We demand nothing but dignity,” Sid added.

“The animals were given rights in the 1980s and we still continue to struggle to get our due rights,” Sid added.

“Give us a chance to rule the country and we will give you economic prosperity,” said the first Pakistani trans doctor, Sara Gill. She said that it was a difficult situation for the trans people to travel abroad because of the “X identification”.

Answering a question, Advocate Nisha Rao said that it was not easy for her to live with the trans identity. “Even our families have to face harsh words because of our gender,” she disclosed.

“I am proud of my identity,” Nisha said, adding, “We do not need sympathy but our due rights.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2023.