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A Time For Change: Women in Pakistan
 | | Ambassador of Pakistan, HE Asma Anisa and the Women's League members |
On Monday March 7th, the Ambassador of Pakistan, HE Asma Anisa gave a talk at the Women's League monthly meeting at AUB's West Hall. She appropriately chose the topic "Women in Pakistan," to mark the occasion of International Women's Day (March 8th).
Neatly dressed in one of the national costumes of Pakistan, a beautifully hand-embroidered shalwar-kameez, Anisa took to the stage and eloquently described how times are changing for today's Pakistani women. She started by putting things into perspective, saying that for many years Pakistani women had suffered inequality and injustice, contrary to Islamic texts. In fact, it was Islam that gave the world its first charter of women's rights. Rather, women's secondary status was a result of a gradual ascendancy of feudal/authoritative rituals and patriarchal values, which were eventually internalized by the women themselves. |
Anisa continued to discuss the Pakistani women's struggle to regain their rights. She explained that from 1947, the time of Pakistan's independence, the new struggle was born, that of the Pakistani women's political struggle for independence. Over the next 30 years they managed to sustain momentum, in spite of serious setbacks during the 1980s when a series of 'discriminatory laws' were passed.
But the courage and determination of the women eventually won through. "Now," she said "Pakistan was taking a bold and significant step forward." Anisa described how recently a number of measures were taken to raise the status of women, the most notable being the setting up of the Ministry of Women's Development, the first in the region. "This has resulted in a paradigm shift from welfare approach to long-term development which means social and legal empowerment for women, " she added triumphantly. |
Anisa then described the many ways these measures have touched women's lives. How communities, the private sector and funding agencies are collaborating to close the literacy gap between the male and female population, 'which is still wide in spite of increased enrollment by women.' Some issues currently being tackled are the shortage of girls' schools and female teachers as well as gender roles and cultural attitudes.
In healthcare there has been a major shift from curative to preventive care, with primary healthcare at the forefront. Various initiatives have been put in place from immunization to village-based family planning programs. Media is used to spread health education messages far and wide, reaching out to women in remote communities. |
Touching on the horrific subject of honor killings, Anisa said they were the "scourge" on the nation. She explained that this major social problem, which has its origins in tribal and feudal social biases, is now being addressed by a Bill which was passed by the National Assembly which defines it as 'murder.' Other social measures are in place which have had an effect of curbing this dreadful crime against women.
Work-wise, women in rural areas are employed mainly in the agricultural sector, while women in urban areas typically work in medium to low paid jobs. Anisa is optimistic that this will change. She said "Hopefully we can gradually witness more economically-empowered women in Pakistan," while she explained how recent initiatives are helping to advance women's economic status. These include improving education, training and skill development, equal job opportunities and access to small loans. |
In the political arena, a certain number of seats are reserved for women; 33% in local councils, while the number of seats in the National and Provincial Assemblies have doubled. Anisa says "Women are now realizing that, for real change, they have to have a presence in political decision-making and legislative bodies."
To sum up, Anisa said "Pakistan is making conscious and dedicated efforts to improve conditions of women." She added that "women are now beginning to reap the benefits of recent policies and initiatives," and concluded by saying that she hopes that they will soon achieve and receive all that is truly their right. |
The colorful costumes of Pakistan | She ended her talk with a colorful slide show of fashion and accessories of today's Pakistani woman, demonstrating bridal wear, traditional costumes, day and evening wear, from the brightly-colored gharara dress, the shalwar-kameez (a long tunic and trouser combination) to the traditional balochi and kalash dress and ornamental headgear.
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