Badam Zari, 55, a candidate for upcoming general elections looks on while speaking to potential voters during her campaign in Khar. PHOTO: AFP
Through the years, we have witnessed a state of affairs where women in many tribal areas and also other parts of the country have been denied the right to vote on the basis of “tradition” or specific arrangements between tribes. It now seems that things may be changing; big strides forward are being taken as the long campaign for women’s right to vote begins to pay off.
For the very first time in history of the tribal areas, a woman has filed papers to contest for a National Assembly seat. In Bajaur, Badam Zari, 40, filed papers for NA-44 — one of two National Assembly seats available from the area. Ms Zari has become the first woman from her area to contest polls and observers believe that her bold decision has the potential to alter the situation significantly for women. Perhaps, we can now start hoping that women will soon be able to take part in the polling process in Fata, something which has often been denied to them in the past. The pioneering woman has also stressed the wish to bring real change to the lives of the people, especially women, something that previous candidates had failed to do.
Ms Zari’s determination is in itself a good omen. It suggests that women from the tribal areas are unwilling to submit to the deprivation and injustice they have suffered for years. Yes, there may be attempts to hold them back; there may even be attacks on them, in some form. But by filing nomination papers, Ms Zari has done more than any other force to break the chains of the past years. Her action will give courage to tribal women everywhere, as well as in the rest of the country, and may give rise to the first seeds of real change in an area where women have been held back in so many different ways.
The stand of Badam Zari could also inspire hope among other women from the tribal belt and elsewhere, and an idea of what is possible to achieve if they act courageously and prove that they need not live in a state of deprivation continuously. The mere fact that women start recognising this and begin standing up for their rights will take them a long way forward in the quest to protect and safeguard their future.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (4)
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The day any and ALL women candidates feel the urge to stand for election and become active in other professional sectors , will be the time to CELEBRATE.
That would be PROGRESS.
As always, the courage of Pakistani women is praiseworthy. Perhaps it is time to reserve all the seats in these tribal areas (and maybe in rest of Pakistan as well) for women. 'Men' have led this area (and Pakistan) and set the agenda long enough - and we can see where it has led your country. Perhaps women, who have simpler concerns such as polio vaccinations, food for families and safety might do a better job of governing and bringing some form of civilization to these places.
I hope this courageous lady stays safe.
very well said: "The stand of Badam Zari could also inspire hope among other women from the tribal belt and elsewhere, and an idea of what is possible to achieve if they act courageously." I coud not agree more. Ms Zari's stand is a very goodl step, but a step in the right direction. More important is that we introduce a quota system in all jobs for men and women, both private and government. Additionally, make laws to give women the choice to all decisions for their lives. Choosing partners, being free to step out of their homes, whenever they want. No restrictions, just like boys and men. That would be a major step for equal rights for women. Anyway, good luck, Ms Zari.