A women-only market in AJK provides way around conservative beliefs

[DESERT FIGHTER]

what exactly is feminism?

Hugh Mungus knows ...








Google it.

This segregation mindset just makes things hard , becasue it creates two societies a society of women , and society of men and the groups don't talk or interact

Even in old age / time such segregation was not normal as people lived side by side

Segregation?

Shyt sounds like apartheid (that's a tongue twisting word lol )

 

[New World]

A women-only market in AJK provides way around conservative beliefs

Pakistani Kashmiri woman Sara Rasheed (L) sells border trim cloth to a customer at her shop in the women's market.— AFP
A narrow path winds through Kashmir's Valley of Pearls towards 13 tin-roofed shops hidden in a rickety row, a women-only market that doubles as a space for those seeking help against the violence of patriarchy.

The market, in a small village outside the main city of Rawalakot in a conservative corner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, began simply as a place run by women for women.

There they could buy and sell sewing supplies, visit clothing boutiques or train as beauticians — a welcome outlet for many struggling with the restraints on women in the deeply traditional area.

Kashmiri women wait outside the office of social worker Nusrat Yousuf to discuss their social issues with her in the women's market.—AFP


Social worker Nusrat Yousuf, who works with victims of domestic violence through the non-governmental organisation (NGO) she heads, helped persuade a generous landlord to provide the land to set up the market in 2011.

Women in the area, she says, are forbidden by their families to work in the main markets in the area's towns and cities.

"They become frustrated when they can't get jobs and spend their lives at home," the 48-year-old widow tells AFP.

The market, from which men were at first banned, provided a way around conservative beliefs, making women "economically strong".

Kashmiri women select ornaments from a shop in the women's market.—AFP


Yousuf describes it as a place "where they can visit and freely discuss all their issues — such as childbirth, menstruation, cooking, and domestic issues, and we find solutions".

From talking to fighting
That increasingly includes how to help divorced women and victims of domestic violence lodge complaints with police and fight their cases in the courts.

Kashmiri social worker Nusrat Yousuf (L) listens to the social issues of women at her office in the women's market—AFP


Women have battled for their rights for decades in Pakistan. Hundreds are murdered each year — usually by male relatives — in so-called 'honour killings' and disfiguring acid attacks are still common.

Rights groups and politicians have for years called for tougher laws to tackle perpetrators of violence against women in Pakistan.

"Police were not arresting an influential man who cut off the nose of his wife three months ago," she says, describing just one of the cases she has handled from her office in the market.

"She approached us, and our NGO staged a protest against police," Yousuf explains, adding that she then met with police officials and lodged a complaint.

"Now the culprit is in police custody. We have hired a female lawyer to fight the case." she says.

Kashmiri girls stitching cloth during their class in the women's market.—AFP


Razia Bibi, a 35-year-old mother of two whose husband divorced her five months ago, described how Yousuf is helping her navigate the courts to seek alimony from her children's father.

"I am hopeful that the verdict will be in my favour," she says.

Yousuf says her NGO, the Pearl Rural Support Programme, which brings together women's organisations in seven local villages, is also lobbying the government for a separate desk for women at every police station, where they can speak to a female officer "more comfortably".

Businesswomen
Yousuf says that, originally, men were banned from entering the market. Now they can enter — but only in the company of a woman.

The market has made life easier, says customer Ayesha Bibi.

"We had to travel to the main markets for such things in the past, and we needed the company of a male family member to go there," she explains.

It is also providing economic opportunity for those such as computer graduate Sara Rasheed, whose family refused her permission to work in any area dominated by men.

Kashmiri girls cut cloth during their class in the women's market.—AFP


She convinced them to allow her to open a beauty parlour and a garment shop in the market, she says.

"I am earning a good income and saving lots of money for my future and family," she adds proudly.

Khurshid Begum, a 42-year-old widow and mother of four, opened a tailor's shop and teaches sewing to young girls there.

"My business has flourished... My income has increased," she says.

"We are trying to make more and more women skillful in future," Yousuf says. "I am very happy that I am achieving my goal."

its a really good thing.. actually wonderful thing..
Roozgar, safety, tafree and free from bad eyes...

They still want to be treated in the traditional manner when equality doesn't give them any benefit. That's not really equality, that's just privilege and special treatment.

like giving seat on BUS to ladies.

in my uni days, me and my group actually have heated argument with Point Driver about giving seats to girls.. and have stopped the all points from leaving the uni until our issue is not resolved..

 

[waz]

Wait what's the point of this? Which man goes shopping now a days anyway? All you see in shopping are women. Shopping sucks

 

[Moonlight]

Shopping sucks

I second it. Shopping sucks.

 

[abdulbarijan]

Equality; men equal women. But let me get on bus first because ladies first.



Good observer.

More like Stalker .... Just kidding

what exactly is feminism?

In theory it's equality between men and women in terms of social/political/economic life ...

In practice it is something like this ...

"I'm a woman and a feminist!... I am strong and can do everything a man can do .. which is why there should be more women in corporate boards and other positions of power!"
What about coal mine labor... well you see "I'm a woman after all"

Anyways , whether you like it or not ... sexual harassment / domestic violence etc. are and have been big issues in the movement ... which is why I linked it with this story ...

 

[Moonlight]

More like Stalker .... Just kidding

P.H.D

Kidding too.

 

[war&peace]

Equality is such a difficult topic for me that i can't write a single comment that feels totally correct and the reason is extreme polarity in the society. There are some women in Pakistan who are really oppressed, but there is large majority that is not oppressed but media try to portray them and it is in human nature and if someone tell us you look tired today, we tend to say and feel tired. Then there are women who are oppressors; they oppress men and other women.

However a separate market for women is totally okay...they need an environment where they can do shopping with peace of mind. But at the same time, for us boys and men, we also want a women free market where we can do shopping without feeling harassed and stalked by women ( feminazi and tomboys) also..

P.H.D

Kidding too.

P. H. D.

Permanent Head Damage

 

[Moonlight]

.

Permanent Head Damage

Like this?

 

[war&peace]

Like this?

Not really....Permanent head Damage is reserved for philosophers, researchers, etc

 

[SMC]

Equality; men equal women. But let me get on bus first because ladies first.

Good example. As I mentioned before, feminism is a one way street where women take the benefits of equality and reject anything negative that comes with it.

 

[Moonlight]

Good example. As I mentioned before, feminism is a one way street where women take the benefits of equality and reject anything negative that comes with it.

I stay 100 feet away from feminists. Dual face people.

Not really....Permanent head Damage is reserved for philosophers, researchers, etc

We are normal people.

 

[SMC]

In theory it's equality between men and women in terms of social/political/economic life ...

In practice it is something like this ...

"I'm a woman and a feminist!... I am strong and can do everything a man can do .. which is why there should be more women in corporate boards and other positions of power!"
What about coal mine labor... well you see "I'm a woman after all"

Yup, perfect example again.

Equality for women in STEM fields, corporate boards, government jobs, etc.

Talking about garbage pickup, construction, mining, sewer cleaning, plumbing jobs? Nope, we don't want equality there!

 

[Moonlight]

Talking about garbage pickup, mining, sewer cleaning, plumbing jobs? Nope, we don't want equality there!

Haha I would love to see women ask for equality to work as a plumber.

 

[abdulbarijan]

P.H.D

Kidding too.

I'm not too sure about the kidding part

Not really....Permanent head Damage is reserved for philosophers, researchers, etc

I agree

 

[war&peace]

I stay 100 feet away from feminists. Dual face people.



We are normal people.

A prof. with PhD travels with his wife on a long journey and when they arrives at destination and walking towards the hotel, he suddenly stops, turns towards her and asks "Madam why are you following me?"

@Doordie @GreenFalcon @SherDil007 @Major d1 @abdulbarijan