Gender Equality in Pakistan | Article | Security Lense | 29-Nov-2024
According to The Nation, gender equality is a myth in Pakistan. There are numerous reasons behind this which are not limited to lack of women representation, conservatism, misinterpretation of Islam, illiteracy, economic instability and poor implementation of policies.
Discriminatory Parenting Paints Crime
The male dominated society and weak female representation are the reasons behind Zainab Ansari and Noor Muqaddam cases. In the midst of such chaos, many cases of exploitation, physical or mental abuse, and discrimination are overseen. The root cause of such behavior arises from the grooming. Parents play a vital role in shaping the character of their children. But the problem arises from households where parents establish different criteria for two different genders.
This criterion revolves around physical activities till sunset, public manners, choosing words carefully, education about their responsibilities, and focus on the chores. There is a special focus on young girls in Pakistan’s society. They are taught specifically about woman-demeanors and the concept of hyperconsciousness is instill in their hearts and minds at a very young age. One of the most traditional and disputed concepts in Pakistan’s society is to stay indoors and cover up to falling prey to such crimes.
Women in Distress
Discrimination persists in professional domains as well. According to stats given in 2019 consensus, 55% of Pakistani women are illiterate while only 25% men are literate. Why? Because they are not allowed to pursue their higher education instead they are married off as soon as they turn 18 years old.
Personal lives are also affected in Pakistan. Men enjoy the privilege of choosing their life partners while women are executed in the name of honor for daring to choose a life partner. According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 218 women were executed in the name of honor in the province of Punjab, only in the year 2022.
According to a report published in UN Women Pakistan, Pakistan ranks 164 out 167 countries and is considered as the most terrible country in terms of financial independence of women, access to communication facilities for women, and discrimination against women.
Victims of Religious Extremism
Islam is a very peaceful religion. Violence is not a part of Islam. Unfortunately, many men in Pakistan’s society use violent means to amend the women behavior while upholding the flag of Islamic values of modesty and morality. According to Islam, men are the caretakers and providers of women but men always intend to improve the women instead of themselves because they are of the view that Islam has given them authority.
This religious extremism results in criminal offenses against women despite their dressing, age, financial or social status, and religion. Crimes against women have become so much common that it doesn’t feels like a crime to them instead they feel like they are fulfilling their obligation. For instance, Noor Muqaddam was raped and murdered by Zahir Jaffer. Jaffer confessed his crimes but his father is still protecting him. Similarly, Aasia Maseeh had to flee the country to protect herself against false accusation of blasphemy. Moreover, Zainab Ansari was the 13th victim of Imran Ali who was hanged in Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Traditions or Violent Crimes?
According to a report published in Reuters, the illiteracy level is so high in the tribal areas of Pakistan that women are physically abused by group of men to compensate for the crimes of men. These violent practices are then termed as traditions or culture. Not limited to the gang rapes, these so-called customs include child marriages, female genital mutilation, acid attacks, vanni, and forced conversions. Although some of these traditions have been banned but the motive of these traditions was to take decision making power, right to bright future, freedom to choose, and body autonomy away from women.
It is very difficult for women to run errands, stay home, cook, raise children, and clean with devastating and traumatizing past. According to UNFPA, child marriage cases are 24.3% higher than domestic violence cases. Child marriages is another factor behind the financial development of women. Marriages prove to be a hurdle in pursuing higher education. This creates a dependency of women on the men while a sense of authority is felt among men. That is the reason 21% of young girls do not have the privilege to quality education. The fear of someplace worse keeps the women in abusive marriages.
Similar tactics are used by relatives to nullify women’s right to inheritance. For instance, a video from Peshawar was flooding the social media where three brothers were beating their sister and mother to acquire their share from their father’s inheritance. Similarly, a woman was kept as a prisoner by her brothers for ten long years over inheritance.
Conclusion
It is not wrong to conclude with the fact that men in Pakistan cannot stand the concept of women empowerment. Victims of women crime are usually fragile, physically weak, financially dependent, underage, or socially mocked. The women power is an effective to against crime. Power gives representation and strength to tackle challenges accordingly. There is 33% women quota in the provincial political realm 17% is the ratio of women representation on the national level.
To address these challenges effectively and efficiently, women need to learn the skills of self-sufficiency. Moreover, there is an urgent need for women training with political or decision-making power to step up and emerge as leaders.
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