Mao Zedong, also known as Chairman Mao, the founding father of the People’s Republic of China who ruled it from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976, once said that Women hold up half the sky.
Recently, an unfortunate incident happened between famous Urdu drama writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and woman journalist Marvi Sirmed on National TV over a controversial slogan of Aurat March.
For the last two to three years, Inernational Women’s Day has been celebrated on March 8 with the special demonstration of Aurat March but the only thing being propagated every time with some so-called slogans adds fuel to fire whereas the real issue is uniformity between men and women.
The problem starts when humans try to judge each other with some specific title. The connotation of “Mera Jism Meri Marzi” or “My Body, My Choice” is important. As far as the explanation of every person varies. We must not think of negativity always but of the positive side of the matter or the mentioned slogan, which must also be considered. Difference of opinion is good but it must not lengthen intoto extremism.
There must not be any objection to any peaceful protest by anyone if it is abiding by the law. This society is already too suppressed and acidic. Conservative, liberal and radical voices are at war. Everyone is trying to force one opinion on another. Why do we not value others’ opinion? Things are made complicated by all sides. However, the only important thing is the state of tolerance and patience. In the war of narratives versus the war of egos, the only winner is the chaos. Giving respect and space to others is true humility.
In Pakistan, women make up half the population but still they face severe problems at all fronts inside and outside the family. If a man harms a woman physically and emotionally, we must condemn the criminal instinct and whoever does this must be condemned and punished according to law because it is an issue of criminality and not of gender.
The sole issue of developing and under-developed countries is lack of education. When there is less education then there will be more disparities and then these flaws would lead to deprivation of due rights, especially for less privileged sections of society. As for as abusing any person is concerned, it is unacceptable and highly condemnable, irrespective of gender. If it is observed, it will be clear that all societies and cultures all over the globe are male-dominated. Patriarchy is one of the real issues in all human societies. There are issues and problems regarding women rights all over the world and also in Pakistan. But, the real issue again starts at the basic level where rights of women are not met, or are taken for granted. There are many heinous crimes which are committed in the form of domestic violence, honour killing, female child marriage, deprivation from inherited property, financial dependence (slavery) on men, curse of dowry, rape, child abuse, throwing acid on women and many others.
It must not be the war of equality but of responsibility for each other, and it must be kept in mind that the benefits of gender equality are not just for women and girls but for everyone whose lives will be changed by a fairer world. Gender equality is about bringing together people of every gender, age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion and country to mobilise for the gender-equal world we all deserve. It must be about dignity and justice. Women’s necessary and basic rights include education, ensuring women in full, equal and meaningful leadership and peace processes, economic empowerment, climate action, rights to health coverage, tackling the disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic work of women and girls, addressing hunger and malnutrition among women and girls, ending all forms of violence and harmful practices against all women and girls and all the rights their personalities need and their implementation, especially for women of isolated areas.
According to UN Development, at current rates of progress on gender equality, it will take 257 years for women to have the same economic opportunities as men. It’s not just a gender gap, it’s a power gap. This gap is required to be lessened as far as possible. Recent surveys showed that 32 million girls are still not in school, and men control three-quarters of parliamentary seats. Pakistan stands at the fourth position in terms of of throwing acid on women alone.
According to the UN, women’s rights are human rights and gender equality is central to all global goals. There must be discussions regarding fulfilling all the requirements of all humans and necessarily of women’s rights. Double-meaning slogans must be avoided. Similarities must be appreciated among humans irrespective of gender and dissimilarities must not be exploited.
There were different deficiencies in the Aurat March Agenda and manifestos. The organisers themselves confused their narrative by different minds with not a single clear line of action. Real issues like condemnation of domestic violence against women must be the focal slogan with others like forced or without-consent marriages. The blind following of West is not good to carry on and Adam Smith’s capitalism has not included economic contribution of women which resulted in real disadvantage for women on economic and GDP levels.
According to a report, in the USA only 71 percent children face violence from their mothers. The West has commodified women and made them sexual objects, and it is not an ideal system for our society and culture to follow.
In Pakistan, women make up half the population but still they face severe problems at all fronts inside and outside the family. If a man harms a woman physically and emotionally, we must condemn the criminal instinct and whoever does this must be condemned and punished according to law because it is an issue of criminality and not of gender.
At the End, being a Muslim Society, our religious and spiritual leader and the greatest teacher of humanity Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that amongst you, he is best who treats his wife well. Dissent or difference of opinion is a healthy practice to exercise. The Quaid-e-Azam considered women stronger than the sword and the pen, and this encompasses women’s status in Pakistan.
