Mukhtara Mai- women rights descend?

Every one knows and has heard about Mukhtar Mai being an imminent character and representation of women all over Paksitan. Every one know the tragedy that was besought upon her but the question is even if we feel sorry for her do we support her as an embassodor for women rights or not?

She gained alot of fame considering how she stood up courageously for her rights even thought she belonged to a very conservative city of Multan. She went aginst her traditions to point out how her human rights were violated. this was a first in Pakistan and we commend her.

Her past is now known all around the world and also found on the internet. May it b her recent wedding or her stride in to education. Along with fame she also had to suffer alot of harrasment at the hands of the Pakistan government. She is in th lime light and it is not good presently as her present situation is not well known. From where we see she stands alone as demand from the public will mobilise the governemtn to take action against her.

It is unfortunate to address that the Multan Power comapny was accused of stealing electricity and hence the power supply was cut from the whole town. This is also where Mukhtara Mai reseides. the School and shelter home inaugerated by her in her honor still dont recieve any electricity even in the blistering heat when the power was apparently restored every where. What kind of a discrimination is this? she is the one who was gan raped and now she doesnt even have the right to live the rest of her life in peace?

Because of this power cut her human right activities were hindered and little boys and girls were deprived of thier born right to be educated. Why cant any one see and raise a voice aginst this unfairness? Her rape case is still in the Supreme Court whiel she continues to be an activist.

This is also a known fact how she is continously being harrased by governmnet officials. Jatoi told her to take back the case or reach a negotiation but on her rejectiona public address was given by him stating how she is a liar and a fraud and all her attackers are innocent.

This so called western agena holder is in danger and hasnt been fulfilling her duties at her best since then. Her life is in danger. Her colleagues continue on with the work in darkness. This is not fair. Paksitan owes her a life and a meaning to live. Her aim is to do nothing but good for the country and we should give it to her. Sine 2002 her commitment is not up to excellence due to the officials of this very own country. This harrasment needs to end because as an NGO her work is needed here. Rights need to be demanded and serious action needs to be taken.

Women Empowerment in Media !

A few decades back there were certain fields where it was considered impossible for women to put in their share one such precedence is Media. Media no matter print or electronic, has a male commodity where women were considered totally dead. But the current times scenario partakes of a definate story. Now women are working on basis of equality in every dimension of media. They are rendering their services as jounalists, editors,correspondents,analysts,coloumn writers. They are going to the war and calamity struken areas and the mouthpiece of all those sufferers and destitutes. They are working as analysts and are giving their piece of mind,thus representing the ideas and thoughts of the women of our society in general. They have proved to be even more meticulous regarding certain social issues discussed in their articles and editorials. This in turn, has helped bringing the attention of the high-ups to the ignored issues of the society.

By working in media, women have proved successful in enticing the males of their society that they are no less than anybody amd this has served the women double fold. On one hand women have been empowered to a respectful level on the other hand they have successfully changed the plug-ugly situation of our society where the status of working women was jeopardized by the men of our very own society. Thus it can be rightly said that if women are given opportunities they can prove themselves equal rather better than men.

So this term, women empowerment must be exercised in its true spirit. In this way not only the women will enjoy living in this society in terms of equality with males but will open new horizons leading to development for the whole society without any gender discrimination.

Islam talks about Women Empowerment..

In the whole world especially in our country the oppression that is being unleashed on the people particularly on the women has a foundation. The oppression is not descending from the sky. The ideological foundation for the discrimination on women by men and at times by women themselves is: generally the people believe, particularly the men believe that women are inferior to men having low quality & below standard. The belief also exists in the women. This belief originates from some wrong ideas among the people. And on this belief is standing firmly the whole structure of oppression, deprivation and disrespect towards women.
If we want to eliminate discrimination on women from our country, it cannot be done excluding Islam. I want to make it very clear that in a country like ours where ninety percent people are Muslims, we would not be able to move without Islam. Those who have revolted against Islam could not last long and are not able to sustain. With all humbleness I would like to say that if we can move ahead remaining within the framework of Islam then it will be good in all respects. I firmly believe that there is such a framework in Islam, which can ensure the progress of women.
I am not in favour of distorting Islam nor I am inclined to giving temporary interpretation of Islam. In true sense, Islam has empowered women and Islam has upheld respect for women. Islam has ensured rights for women. But before enlarging on this I would mention what could be the basis or "ideological foundation" on which the fundamental equality of men & women depends? Allah has not created all human beings with similar appearance. Two persons are never equal in every dot or in all respects. One person is different from another in terms of his weight, height, colour, education etc. But basically every human being is equal - equal to Almighty Allah.
There is a quote a verse (172) from Sura A`araf: When thy Lord drew forth From the children of Adam From their loins- Their descendants and made them. Testify concerning them (saying) "Am I not your Lord (Who cherishes & sustains you)? They said: "yea! We do testify!
It means all men and women reached an agreement on one point that is, "You are our Lord and we shall obey you. Here no separate agreements were made with men or with women. Any other inequality or dissimilarity if any is insignificant or very small compared to the equality of human soul or spirit.
It means that the spiritual personalities of a human being are the same and so as 'human beings` all are equal. This is the fundamental foundation of equality among men and women.
By Mariam Javed

Women Empowerment At A Glimpse !

Women Empowerment once a least deemed thought is an utter reality of the modern times. Submissive, dependent and sensitive women including our male chanvinistic society also are no more the complacent women in general. The very thought of Women Enpowerment has not only brought women out of their enclosed shells but has introduced them a new path to their basic rights. Women of our times are highlightingly present in every walk of life ranging from fashion to media, higher education, employment so on and so forth. It is very well said that "A personality and behavious of a man can be judged by judging the hand that nurture him". Then why do the presumptuous men of our society forget that how well developed and groomed would be that mother who developed them so well.

Looking back into the history we come to know that women were actively involved in many influential walks of life like Politics, Education, Business, but not with that much strength and number as in the current era. To add authenticity to this fact, Activist movements in the process of creation of Pakistan prominently flash the names of great women politicians. Since then, there has been no looking back as women came in with a Big Bang in all walks of life exercising all their potentials and hidden talents. Thus the utmost efforts of women finally paid them back by bringing a change in the Set thinking of males of our society. And this was the very first step in the process of Women Empowerment to change the mentality of males of our society who looked at the working womens with contempt.

The Women's Movement

The year 2000 marked the beginning of the women's movement in Pakistan. The liberalization of women is very important for the success of this country. Equality leads to the process of development of a nation.

There are four ways in which this movement is working. giving a public voice, rise in employment and educational opportunities and lastly the overall perception of women. However there has always beena clash in view points. Is too much freedom and the promotion of civil rights giving a rise to western thinking in Pakistan? This debate needs to be viewed with respect to the islamoc teachings and not the western democrats.

This is surprising to know that women's movement has its root in the 19th century when Sir Syed Ahmed Khan had the same agenda to lift certain reastriction and focus on literacy but this was very slow. By 1921 only 4 out of 1000 women were educated.

There are great prospects in Pakistan for women of substance but the true women are hidden behind the elites who are only interested in shopping, kitty parties and pretention. It is safe to say that such women have a big hand in deteriorating thier position and respect. True women of substance were legends like Fatima Ali Jinnah and Benazir Bhutto.

Another issue that rose was the fact that if there were vacancies in the jon market it was the post of sweepers and nannies which was not approved by the families. Currently what we need in this country is support from the government, traditional social welfare activities and equality. Hence consiousness and awareness needs to be raised.

Moreover women need to be active agents rather than passive ones. Thier aim in life should not just revolve around reproducing childeren but also participating in the welfare of the state.

In 2009 PM Gillani himself has stated that women empowerment is embedded in the heart of the government. It is thier utmost priority so i hope the women development centres and NGO's are properly funded. Women rights is the core belief of human rights and without this a nation can never totally move forward. the growth will be slow but it will be steady and consistent.

Women Empowerment can work as a catalyst for progress in Pakistan ..

Gender discrimination is considered to be a big worry in the course of growth.
So thats the reason why acting as well as working as to improve or eliminate women's empowerment is th key factor in improving the economic, political and social conditions in Pakistan. Gender equality and women empowerment are human rights and those core issues which lie at the heart of development and achievement, they move parallel to each other. A country cannot succeed untill and unless the women and men are treated and considered equal, they get their rights and most importantly also a country cannot progress with out the contribution of the women living there, to get success it is equally important that the contribution of both men and women is there..As you cannot clap with one hand same is the case here.

Women across the region are still deined their rights under the law and in practice. There is a dire need of actually working on the knowledge and education of both men and women in Pakistan regarding this sensitive and miserable issue. When there is no difference in both the genders in our religion Islam then who are we to create differences. This is now actually speading as a cancer in our society. Women empowerment is not restricted to controll over reproduction or financial independence only, where as a combination of literacy, employement and health also. So men and women in Pakistan really need to be shaken up on this issue because this is really important for the survival, growth and effective developement of Pakistan. Women empowerment is really important and useful for the developement of our country as it represents women as an active agents rather than a passive recipients of development policies.

A great number of studies have actually shown that if women are provided with their rights to get education, work, speak for themselves especially and health then they have more power over their house hold decision making, then they will also be a better mother to their children. They will manage to bring up good citizens to our counry. These studies have also shown that women empowerment has a positive relation with the well-being of children and lead in the betterment of the family. Also this will bring better environments in the family which then have positive effect in the society all togather as well. Hence this would result in good decision making process, evaluation planning and policy formulation around Pakistan.Not only this, but will also manage to increase source of income. This will bring up more revenues to not only the family but also to the country, resulting in the increase in the GDP. Hence would work as a catalyst in the reduction of poverty resulting in more growth.If this issue is treated well and in time, then this will lead towards brighter and prosperous Pakistan InshAllah.

By Mariam Javed