Book launch: Political ‘barriers to entry’ for women highlighted
Author’s approach, attention to detail praised.
ISLAMABAD:
South Asian writers avoid writing on gender issues, but Dr Anita Weiss rightly explained the political paths of domestic powers in South Asian countries and identified the power distribution, political priorities, identity and women empowerment since the end of British rule in the region. She also emphasises social understanding within region to achieve sustainable development.
These were the views of the speakers on Thursday at the launching ceremony of Dr Anita Weiss’s book at the 17th Sustainable Development Conference, organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
“The Pathways to Power, the Domestic Politics of South Asia” highlights the political facts, similarities in prospects of the South Asian countries and identical politics in which politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen comes together and work for big business rather than developing instrumental policies.
Speakers lauded Dr Weiss for the way in which the book highlights the complexity of domestic powers in the context of local culture and politics in South Asia and the fact that it includes ‘secrets’ behind what is happening inside regional countries.
Dr Rifaat Hussain congratulated Dr Weiss and said that she brightly explain the complexity of the domestic politics while paying attention to the local context of society and culture. “Quaid-i- Azam mobilised the Muslims behind the idea of Pakistan and he was very conscious about politics of Muslim identity with a very clear vision of Pakistan,” Hussain said.
Dr Farzana Bari, a social activist, appreciated Dr Weiss for focusing on the contemporary politics in all countries of South Asia. “There are many commonalities in terms of competitive women’s struggle in South Asia,” she mentioned three barriers --- ideological, cultural and institutional --- to women empowerment in South Asia and added that political parties are also a barrier as the corridors of power are guarded by men.
Dr Bishnu Raj Upreti, said the book is a timely contribution towards a more integrated South Asia and explained that the social cost of the militarisation of South Asia is increasing and directly affecting social development.
Dr Rasheedul Mahmood Titumir said most South Asian writers avoid writing on gender issues, but this book highlights facts, similarities in the prospects of South Asian countries, and identical politics in which politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen comes together and make pro- business policies rather than developing “instrumental policies” for the people.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2014.
South Asian writers avoid writing on gender issues, but Dr Anita Weiss rightly explained the political paths of domestic powers in South Asian countries and identified the power distribution, political priorities, identity and women empowerment since the end of British rule in the region. She also emphasises social understanding within region to achieve sustainable development.
These were the views of the speakers on Thursday at the launching ceremony of Dr Anita Weiss’s book at the 17th Sustainable Development Conference, organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
“The Pathways to Power, the Domestic Politics of South Asia” highlights the political facts, similarities in prospects of the South Asian countries and identical politics in which politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen comes together and work for big business rather than developing instrumental policies.
Speakers lauded Dr Weiss for the way in which the book highlights the complexity of domestic powers in the context of local culture and politics in South Asia and the fact that it includes ‘secrets’ behind what is happening inside regional countries.
Dr Rifaat Hussain congratulated Dr Weiss and said that she brightly explain the complexity of the domestic politics while paying attention to the local context of society and culture. “Quaid-i- Azam mobilised the Muslims behind the idea of Pakistan and he was very conscious about politics of Muslim identity with a very clear vision of Pakistan,” Hussain said.
Dr Farzana Bari, a social activist, appreciated Dr Weiss for focusing on the contemporary politics in all countries of South Asia. “There are many commonalities in terms of competitive women’s struggle in South Asia,” she mentioned three barriers --- ideological, cultural and institutional --- to women empowerment in South Asia and added that political parties are also a barrier as the corridors of power are guarded by men.
Dr Bishnu Raj Upreti, said the book is a timely contribution towards a more integrated South Asia and explained that the social cost of the militarisation of South Asia is increasing and directly affecting social development.
Dr Rasheedul Mahmood Titumir said most South Asian writers avoid writing on gender issues, but this book highlights facts, similarities in the prospects of South Asian countries, and identical politics in which politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen comes together and make pro- business policies rather than developing “instrumental policies” for the people.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2014.