The idea of feminism is self-determination, and it’s very open-ended: every woman has the right to become herself, and do whatever she needs to do. A huge part of being a feminist is giving other women the freedom to make choices you might not necessarily make yourself. Feminism isn’t about making women strong, women are already strong. It’s about changing the way that strength is perceived.
The core reason behind women suffering is lack of education, knowledge and awareness about women rights and women power in our country, be it any area, Sindh or Punjab, Balochistan or KPK. The interior areas of Pakistan with limited exposure and a confined mindset have become oppressors resulting in massive honor killing, rapes, child abuse, acid attacks and early marriages, hence depriving women of their basic rights. Such deceit, massive exploitation of the mandate is not acceptable at all, but one needs to understand how and where to highlight these problems. Organizations, NGOs, welfare societies, associations, and government can help create awareness and educate people through reforms and public service messages to eradicate this on a larger scale, but a minister cannot come to a person’s house to convince one’s parents to let their daughter study abroad. In our society, family norms, customs, cultures, traditions and stereotypes are different, which are to be addressed on individual basis, it needs to be discussed with your family, government has nothing to do with this. Women have rights, women are empowered but women are victims of clichés and confusion. Raise your voice against issues which need to be addressed, which need to be highlighted rather than fighting for your own personal sanctum. To address trivialities empower your families and associates, making them understand, for you are already empowered.
The factors that can actually foster women development include, promotion of education among women, reduction of poverty, abolition of feudalism, strong institution ensuring women empowerment, highlighting social aspects, cultural financial and professional liberty among women, positive role of religions in terms of women empowerment, job opportunities for women, legislation on honor-killing, stoppage of child marriage and ‘vatta-satta’ system of marriage. The Government of Pakistan can and should legislate on these sensitive issues which halt women empowerment at a large scale parliament, judiciary and executive may take strong measures in order to tackle these in for moldable problems which are extremely injurious to the social, economic, political professional progress of women. If these institutions fails to cope with these issues then surely the state of women in Pakistan is in great jeopardy.
Islam has always appreciated the femininity of the woman and regarded her as playing a role integral to that of the man, and similarly regarded the man as playing a role integral to that of the woman. Neither is a foe, adversary or a competitor to the other. Rather, each is a help to the other in attaining the relative perfection of his or her person and each’s whole sex. The Status of Women in Islam is hoped to be one of many to be put forth on this subject of the continual discovery of women, their abilities, and the solace they provide. The case of woman and their special place in the order of Allah has been undermined throughout the world. They are to be respected, loved and given rights.
Surah Nisa says;
For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much – an obligatory share.
In Pakistan, numerous elements provoke women, encouraging angry feminists, funding uprisings for their personal benefits. Events like Women’s March cannot take place without significant financial backing and resources, yet the media rarely covers that information. Journalists must thoroughly investigate and report which organizations and donors push agendas behind the scenes.
George Soros, Hon FBA is a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist. Soros’ philanthropy and support for progressive causes has made him the object of a large number of conspiracy theories, most of them originating from the political right. Veronika Bondarenko, writing for Business Insider said that “For two decades, some have seen Soros as a kind of puppet master secretly controlling the global economy and politics.”
Billionaire businessman George Soros has reportedly given $246million to multiple groups behind the “Day Without A Woman” protest. Conservative think tank Media Research Center says the liberal hedge-investor gave funding to 100 out of the 544 partners supporting the women’s cause merely for the destruction of democratic norms and destabilization of the country, bringing color revolutions for the Americans whenever required. His open society foundations are involved in promoting LGBT movement and destroying family structures by attacking ethnic fault lines. He specializes in black activism, and reportedly he is the initiator behind ‘Aurat March” in Pakistan. The sequence of the former encounters, the objectives, and the mode of action are all in synchronization. What further adds up to it is that Soros pictures with our former Prime Minister and his Open Society Foundation head offices are located in Karachi and Islamabad. Soros objectives and history all across the globe speak of destruction, anti-semitism and angry feminists’ movement. Women are more easily instigated than men in individual choices as well as in group choices. Therefore, first conclusion we draw from our study is that gender difference in risk aversion is a common phenomenon and does not depend on the cultural background of the subjects. Also, since such difference persists not only in individual choices but also in group choices we argue that women are more easily provoked than their male counter parts even when they are in leading positions.
Pakistan Humanitarian Forum report says, international NGOs funds approximately 29 million people in Pakistan. In addition, they contributed $285 million in the development for and emergency relief in 2016, and employs over 5,000 local staff. The Open Society Foundations first started working initiated in Pakistan in 2005, providing $3m of emergency relief aid for victims of that year’s devastating earthquake. The Foundation Open Society Institute—Pakistan (FOSIP), began operations in Islamabad in 2008. Guided by an advisory board led by prominent Pakistani thought leaders, and often working alongside federal and provincial governments, the foundation has supported a range of projects related to education, legal empowerment of the poor, journalists’ security and efforts to support government transparency. After the devastating floods of 2010, Open Society provided an additional $6m in emergency funds to support recovery.
Saba Khattak, country director of the Foundation Open Society Institute—Pakistan, said: “The Open Society Foundations have invested some $37m in grants and relief assistance in Pakistan since 2005, working with the full support of the government. We obviously find what has happened both disappointing and surprising, and are urgently seeking clarification. We naturally expect the decision will be reviewed in the best interests of the vulnerable communities we serve and advocate for.”
Talking about the LGBT movement in Pakistan and the rights of transgender community, angry mobs are causing destruction, encouraging violation of the public mandate in the name of activism, eventually falling under black activism. Whereas, Pakistan becomes the first Asian country and one of the few in the world to legally recognize self-perceived gender identity. Various acts have been passed for the protection of transgenders in Pakistan. The Protection Act is commendable for its nuance, range and clarity. It allows the citizens of Pakistan to self-identify their gender, bans discrimination in public places like schools, work, public transportation and doctor’s offices. Transgenders can apply for a driving license, passport and other official documents using their chosen identities. Heavy penalties are delineated for assault, unlawful eviction and harassment. It accounts for sensitivity training for law enforcement and streamlines the process to change gender in government records. Bank accounts are being opened using forms with a space for a third gender. Under new government policy, transgender people can avail interest-free loans. Jobs may soon roll out for the community. This legislation could very well transform the community. Traditionally relegated to entertainment, sex work and begging, they are now electoral candidates, election observers and even activists.
In Pakistan, women endeavored a lot to break the glass ceiling and prove themselves and became a pride for all of us. As a result, Pakistan accepted the importance of female gender and also announced National Women Empowerment policy with ‘Pledge for Parity’ theme. Therefore, Pakistan is among those countries where women have a fixed number of seats in legislation assemblies. They are contributing a lot in the development of Pakistan. Women like Bilquis Bano Edhi, Muneeba Mazari, Aafia Siddique, Rosheen Khan, Parveen Saeed, Saabia Abbat are examples of empowered women, who not only strived for a better tomorrow, but tried their best to empower other women in a civilized organized manner.
