status of woman in pakistan
Status of woman in Pakistan: A Ray of Hope
The persistent violation of their fundamental rights is nothing short of a crime against humanity. Mere condemnation of these infringements is not enough. It is imperative to initiate urgent remedial measures. The phenomenal increase in violence against females in Pakistan is abhorrent and indicative of the degeneration of the society. However, there could be a silver lining to this dark cloud of oppression because it symbolizes a reaction to the growing awareness of women about their inalienable rights. Violence, it is said, is the last refuge of the incompetent, and in the face of resistance on the part of the victim, it is the sole recourse of the perpetrator.
The civil society in Pakistan is yet to display the missionary zeal so desperately needed for female emancipation. It lacks a comprehensive strategy to combat the repression of a sizeable portion of its population. However, despite the absence of an organized movement there has been a discernable change in as much as women are increasingly becoming rights-conscious and have availed of empowerment opportunities whenever these arise. They are now beginning to play a more assertive role in such areas of national endeavor as politics, information technology, economics and the media. This needs to be deepened and broadened. On a parallel track, there is a growing urge among Pakistani women to acquire religious education. This is a welcome development because men have hitherto monopolized the interpretation of scriptural texts. Although the existing courses in academic institutions are intellectually inadequate and do not question the narrow-minded approach of commentators on female rights in Islam, women's involvement in the interpretation of dogma will undoubtedly enable them to determine the truth and form independent opinions.
Through history woman have been exploited, repressed and relegated to pariah status. Male domination of society through the ages thus
The persistent violation of their fundamental rights is nothing short of a crime against humanity. Mere condemnation of these infringements is not enough. It is imperative to initiate urgent remedial measures. The phenomenal increase in violence against females in Pakistan is abhorrent and indicative of the degeneration of the society. However, there could be a silver lining to this dark cloud of oppression because it symbolizes a reaction to the growing awareness of women about their inalienable rights. Violence, it is said, is the last refuge of the incompetent, and in the face of resistance on the part of the victim, it is the sole recourse of the perpetrator.
The civil society in Pakistan is yet to display the missionary zeal so desperately needed for female emancipation. It lacks a comprehensive strategy to combat the repression of a sizeable portion of its population. However, despite the absence of an organized movement there has been a discernable change in as much as women are increasingly becoming rights-conscious and have availed of empowerment opportunities whenever these arise. They are now beginning to play a more assertive role in such areas of national endeavor as politics, information technology, economics and the media. This needs to be deepened and broadened. On a parallel track, there is a growing urge among Pakistani women to acquire religious education. This is a welcome development because men have hitherto monopolized the interpretation of scriptural texts. Although the existing courses in academic institutions are intellectually inadequate and do not question the narrow-minded approach of commentators on female rights in Islam, women's involvement in the interpretation of dogma will undoubtedly enable them to determine the truth and form independent opinions.
Through history woman have been exploited, repressed and relegated to pariah status. Male domination of society through the ages thus