Mobilising women

At a recent meeting held in Lahore chaired by the Punjab minister for women development to address the Women Implementation Package 2014, several steps towards women empowerment were discussed. Topics included awareness campaigns about women’s rights laws, business loans and vocational training programmes. Indeed, in a culture where women are often treated as subordinates, the initiative to bring attention to these topics is imperative. Among the provisions discussed, there was mention of issuing scooters to working women in order to facilitate their participation in society. While the consideration is generous, there is the glaring question of whether this is the primary need at the moment.

The actual primary need is a change in the national psyche towards women not to be seen as the weaker counterpart. It has to be understood that women can stand in the same line as men at government offices, lift heavy objects and take part in many of the same activities as men.

Of course, this includes being out on the streets and sharing the road while driving, which gives women more independence and autonomy. While the provision of scooters is a step in the right direction, this sort of material handout would be better served if women are, at the same time, also imparted with education and vocational training.

Secondly, implementation of women’s rights laws remains as the missing link between the ideal of women empowerment and actually potentiating women towards that goal. The laws, though they can be improved upon, are already in place; the thing that is lacking is their enforcement. Along with that, there is a requirement for child daycare centres at major corporations, as well as smaller firms in order to facilitate women. Women in our culture cannot forego their household responsibilities and duties towards their children, all the while living under the pressure of their male counterparts in the workplace. In order to encourage more women to be active in society, childcare is also a requirement, as is basic education.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2014.

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