We need to strike a balance between two genders towards achievement of joint goals, a better society
ISLAMABAD: In Pakistan, women are not only subjected to economic discrimination, but are also victims of inhumane customs and laws. Women in Pakistan are generally perceived to be confined to their houses in a tightly-controlled society. Although generally true, the trends are now changing. Women, who form more than half the country’s population, are now finding avenues to express themselves and come out of the shells they have been encased in for many centuries. However, there is a marked difference in women’s lives in urban and rural areas. While most urban women are now struggling to receive basic to Master’s-level education, those in rural areas are still struggling to receive even secondary-level education. Urban women, especially those living in the major cities, are more independent, owing to greater exposure to education of the men in their families and the positive impact of media. Now most females find their way to schools, colleges, universities or scholarships abroad. Other than medicine, which was once considered to be the only profession which women pursued, now they are pursuing even the most technical spheres like engineering, architecture, communications and information technology.
Today, women in Pakistan hold high-ranking positions as chief executive officers and other senior positions of responsibility. We have had a female governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Dr Shamshad Akhtar — the first woman who was appointed to this position. In addition, two women doctors of the Pakistan Army have also risen to the rank of major general.
A change in the thinking of men is required if we want to change the status quo. What is needed is not to empower one gender over the other but to strike a balance between the two genders towards achievement of joint goals, a better society, and a better future for the upcoming generations. The two ways through which this target can be achieved is firstly through the media (TV, radio, newspapers and films). Media has the power to mould public opinion and here the government’s support has to be unconditional. The second way is for women themselves to pursue empowerment ventures independently, irrespective of their cast, creed or religion.
Saira Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2014.
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