Being a woman in Pakistan

[DaRk WaVe]

Being a woman in Pakistan​

It is not easy being a woman anywhere in the world but it is a tad more difficult being a woman in Pakistan. Last week, we saw two gang rape victims in headlines again for all the wrong reasons.

Mukhtaran Mai was reportedly threatened by a sitting MNA from treasury benches, Mr Jamshed Dasti, to settle the ‘dispute’ outside the court and let go of the criminals who have been sentenced earlier. For starters, it was not a mere dispute. It was a heinous crime, perpetrated against a helpless woman. The criminals were awarded punishment after a long probe yet the parliamentarian justifies defending them by saying that the court awarding the punishment were pressurised by anti-Islamic lobbies. Forget taking any serious action, the sad reality is that although the MNA is in contempt of court, neither the government, nor the opposition parties issued condemnation against his threats to a victim who has been battling it out for eight long years against all odds.

Kainat Soomro, a minor who was gang raped three years ago, is still fighting her case in the court of law. Her older brother, who was fighting the legal battle with her and was abducted three month ago, was found dead a few days back. The murder clearly was a message from the culprits to Kainat Soomro and her family that they too will face a similar fate if they do not take back the case.

Crimes against women are not exclusive to Pakistan, what makes them more painful and inhumane is lack of judicial recourse for the victims. There are no systems and procedures in place where women can access justice without spending a lifetime and fortune in courts, facing a multitude of threats and social ostracisation.

Aqsa Parvez was a high school student in Toronto who was murdered by her father and brother for not wearing a headscarf in 2007. Similar crimes go unpunished in Pakistan but not in a country where rule of law exists for all its citizens, including underage girls. The prosecution was taken up by the state and Aqsa’s father Muhammad Parvez and her brother Waqas Parvez, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, were sentenced to life imprisonment, with no eligibility for parole until 2028.

Those who have seen Harry Potter films would be familiar with the character of Padma Patil, a witch at Hogwarts. The character was played by an actress of Pakistani origin Afshan Azad. A few weeks back, Afshan was beaten and throttled by her father and brother because she was heard talking on the phone with her Hindu boyfriend. Although they used violence against her, Afshan still loves her family and is pleading for violence charges to be dropped against her father and brother because she does not want them to go to jail. However the prosecution services in England takes these matters very seriously and intend to proceed with the case even if the victim retracts the statement.

Our penal code is inherited from the days of the Raj, if they can modernise the legal system and ensure that no pressure on the victims can retract criminal charges, so can we. If our laws had been friendlier to the victims, Kainat’s brother may still be alive. If we had sent better people to the assemblies and not people who openly flout the law and threaten rape victims, we may have been able to come up with better legislation. If we had better legislation, we may have made an example out of some criminals like Canadian courts did with Aqsa Parvez’s father and brother. If only.

Being a woman in Pakistan – The Express Tribune

 

[DaRk WaVe]

Violence against women going unchecked​

The lives of millions of women in Pakistan are circumscribed by traditions, which enforce extreme seclusion and submission to men, many of whom impose their control over women with violence.

For most part, women bear with stoicism, traditional male control over every aspect of their bodies, speech and behaviour. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, it is estimated that a woman is raped every two hours, a gang rape occurs every eight hours, and about 1,000 women die annually in honor killings.

I am not a feminist and I don’t believe men and women are created equal. I believe women are physically weaker than men but I also believe women deserve to be respected and are not meant to be objectified. Most women in Pakistan are illiterate and do not know that they do not deserve the violence that they experience, or that they have an option to resist it.

Therefore most of the violence against women, particularly in the domestic sphere, goes unreported. Approximately 70 per cent to 90 per cent of Pakistani women in rural areas are subjected to domestic violence. Typical violent acts include, murder in the name of “ honour” rape, spousal abuse including marital rape, acid attacks, and being burned by family members (often labelled an accident by family members). One recent example is the high profile case of Samia Sarwar who was murdered in her lawyer’s office in April of 1999 by her family because she was seeking a divorce from an abusive husband.

Even though Islamic law requires that both partners explicitly consent to marriage, women are often forced into marriages arranged by their fathers or tribal leaders. Another case involves 17 year-old Nagina Bibi from Tarali Kalan near Islamadad, who was engaged by her father to her cousin against her brothers will who wanted her to marry his brother in-law.

On April 14th, 1999 Nagina’s brother saw her talking to the cousin chosen by their father on the street; he was accompanied by another brother who reportedly tied Nagina with a rope to a wooden post in their home, sprinkled kerosene over her and set her on fire. Neighbours had her admitted to a hospital with 75 per cent burns, which the family claimed it to be due to a stove bursting. Nagina told doctors that her brother had set her on fire because she had disobeyed him. Nagina died after 23 painful days in the hospital. It is not known at present if the brothers’ case has gone to court.

Most people in our society use religious teachings to justify domestic violence. Women are subjected to discrimination and violence on a daily basis due to the cultural and religious norms that Pakistani society embraces. The Quran tells us time and again that women should not be treated harshly.

Yes, it is up to the government to pass bills for protection of women. However, the real power lies in the hands of the women themselves. They are the only ones who can protect their rights by taking a stand, but sadly they are petrified to such an extent that they believe they have no rights at all. It is up to us educated women to help educate these illiterate women, to educate them about the rights they have.

Media play a pivotal role in our society. Even little villages have television sets where women get together at night to watch dramas. I spoke to a few maids in different households and I was very surprised to see almost all of them were aware of the main actresses and models in the Pakistan media industry. My plea is to female celebrities in Pakistan who talk about women empowerment and seem to attend parties for charity almost every weekend; you as celebrities act as role models for many women in Pakistan. Why not use that strength to empower these women with the knowledge of their rights. There are many shelters for oppressed women in Pakistan, why not visit these shelters and help them regain control of their lives.

We can at least dedicate a day in a week of our lives to help these women. Violence against women can not be ignored. The success of combating violence against women depends on a change in prevailing societal norms and this process can only be expedited by the intervention of educated women.

Violence against women going unchecked – The Express Tribune

 

[javaman]

i want to ask a question

in india(not mentioning other) ,i have heard many times those ulema or mullah etc
giving speeches like that"woman cant work with man,they cant do job in bank etc etc".y it's so.if it is ,is the same thing happening in other muslim nation or it is in india.coz this type of things make different kind of image of islam.y don't they understand if woman can give birth to man,then y cant they work together.

 

[DaRk WaVe]

i want to ask a question

in india(not mentioning other) ,i have heard many times those ulema or mullah etc
giving speeches like that"woman cant work with man,they cant do job in bank etc etc".y it's so.if it is ,is the same thing happening in other muslim nation or it is in india.coz this type of things make different kind of image of islam.y don't they understand if woman can give birth to man,then y cant they work together.

They suffer from a superiority complex & can't see women standing upto them & earning more than males & to justify their stupidity they use religion

but lemme tell you what apologists will say,"they do not represent Islam'"

 

[apophenia]

Apparently their god has a blind spot.

 

[billi]

i want to ask a question

in india(not mentioning other) ,i have heard many times those ulema or mullah etc
giving speeches like that"woman cant work with man,they cant do job in bank etc etc".y it's so.if it is ,is the same thing happening in other muslim nation or it is in india.coz this type of things make different kind of image of islam.y don't they understand if woman can give birth to man,then y cant they work together.

its BS bringing islam here. there are enough hindus and christians in india who do the same thing. google 'khap panchayat' and see what religion comes up . hindu. So its more of a South Asian male desperateness. this happens because they dont respect women, bring religion in everything and is sex-starved (max hits to **** sites come from india and pakistan)

 

[billi]

They suffer from a superiority complex & can't see women standing upto them & earning more than males & to justify their stupidity they use religion

but lemme tell you what apologists will say,"they do not represent Islam'"

superiority complex is disguised inferiority complex. they see women as objects of lust. so while the males will ogle and molest females who aer not their own, they will do honour killing if their own kin stand up for themselves. These are the worst kind of men.

Again dont have to bring religion here. its S.A.M.

 

[javaman]

its BS bringing islam here. there are enough hindus and christians in india who do the same thing. google 'khap panchayat' and see what religion comes up . hindu. So its more of a South Asian male desperateness. this happens because they dont respect women, bring religion in everything and is sex-starved (max hits to **** sites come from india and pakistan)

yaar i think honour killing mein both married couple are killed,thats a case of intercaste marriage

 

[Avatar]

They suffer from a superiority complex & can't see women standing upto them & earning more than males & to justify their stupidity they use religion

but lemme tell you what apologists will say,"they do not represent Islam'"

Why dont we have more like you ?

 

[Peregrine]

but lemme tell you what apologists will say,"they do not represent Islam'"

if you are suggesting that Islam advocates such behavior towards women than you are one ignorant religious bigot, some how i cant see how your comments don't count as religious victimization when you apparently used sarcasm to show your true intent to bash Islam.

 

[Patriot]

This has more to do with tribal laws and old customs rather then religion and it is common in not only Pakistan but the whole subcontinent including India but within Pakistan i would say some people do use religion to justify this.

 

[DaRk WaVe]

if you are suggesting that Islam advocates such behavior towards women then you are one ignorant religious bigot, some how i cant see how your comments doesnot count as religious victimization when you apparently used sarcasm to show your true intent to bash Islam.

ohh my goodness, now even your seeing Islam bashing here huh, well I don't need to because the people trained in absurdity are very good at giving fatwas & making fun of themselves, we all know what kinda Islamic Laws regarding Rape are here in this very country, I simply don't need to do bashing they are speaking for themselves.
They perfectly use religion to suppress women, did i said this wrong?

PS: Strange you saw Islam Bashing but you never saw whats happening in this Islamic Society, are you going to deny that has been mentioned up there? Funny how you people see Islam bashing every where

i cannot stop you from assuming things

 

[JonAsad]

They suffer from a superiority complex & can't see women standing upto them & earning more than males & to justify their stupidity they use religion

but lemme tell you what apologists will say,"they do not represent Islam'"

Whats the hidden Agenda?
You want to talk baout women Rights in Pakistan or ISLAM?

Does this Honour Killing.. Gang raping of Women has any thing to do with Islam? - NO

Clarify your intentions..

ohh my goodness, now even your seeing Islam bashing here huh, well I don't need to because the people trained in absurdity are very good at giving fatwas & making fun of themselves, we all know what kinda Islamic Laws regarding Rape are here in this very country, I simply don't need to do bashing they are speaking for themselves.
They perfectly use religion to suppress women, did i said this wrong?

PS: Strange you saw Islam Bashing but you never saw whats happening in this Islamic Society, are you going to deny that has been mentioned up there? Funny how you people see Islam bashing every where

on one side you are asking where is the Islam bashing and on the same post you are posting BS about Islam..
Are you a Hypocrite?

 

[RescueRanger]

For most part, women bear with stoicism, traditional male control over every aspect of their bodies, speech and behaviour. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, it is estimated that a woman is raped every two hours, a gang rape occurs every eight hours, and about 1,000 women die annually in honor killings.

A disgusting and sad reality, women have always been treated as mere chattels in our societies and it is due to the fact that we are purveyors and victims of these evil customs that our societies are trapped in warped reality of suppression and humiliation of women.

Traditionally not only in Islam, but other religions and customs, the male is perceived as being almost omnipotent, most demigods take on the male form and women are brought up from childhood with stories of the brave knight in glimmering armour, rescuing the helpless damsel in distress.

It is important to look inward and address the inequalities and injustices in our own society, yet it is also far too easy and straightforward to bluntly criticise one religion or social system without examining the impact of culture, customs and practices within a historical context.

It would be ignorant of me to say that the present day sins in Pakistan are not due to education or preaching of the Imams, but it would be equally naive of me to ignore the historical impact of cultures, customs and practices within our respective societies.

Things must change; i have always taught my daughter that she is just as important and just as equal as my boys. I hope that perhaps the Pakistan they inherit will look at women through the lens of equality and respect.

 

[DaRk WaVe]

What6s the hidden Agenda?

I am Zionist, RAW/Mossad agent, is that giving u relief?

You want to talk baout women Rights in Pakistan or ISLAM?

You cannot separate Iboth

Does this Honour Killing.. Gang raping of Women has any thing to do with Islam? - NO

but people use it to justify many things

Are you a Hypocrate?

you have nothing to say regarding the conditions of women in this Islamic Society but you are all ready to jump & assume things about me & Islam bashing, ain't that hypocrisy