December 11, 2007	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 30, 1428

DERA GHAZI KHAN, Dec 10: Revolting against rigid tribal and traditional values, three women are taking part in the general elections, and despite tall claims of women’s emancipation and giving fair sex equal rights, no political party has embraced them and the three brave ladies are sailing their boats independently.

A large number of district’s population consists of tribes having staunch traditions, which ordinarily don’t allow women to take part in politics and such other outdoor activities exposing them to public view. Here, politics is always considered all-male job.

Though these three women, two of whom are spouses of tribal elders, are not new to the political arena, it is for the first time that they are taking part in the elections against their male counterparts in significant number. Earlier, Afifa Mamdot had fought elections against her nephew and chief of his tribe, Farooq Leghari of the Pakistan People’s Party, in 1988 on Islami Jamhoori Ittehad’s ticket.

And this time, Ameena Jaafar Leghari is contesting against her husband’s cousin, Farooq Leghari, from NA-172 and from NA-173 against Farooq’s son Awais Leghari.

Educated in international relations from abroad, social worker-turned-politician Ameena is third woman in her spouse’s family and second woman of her own family who has taken part in politics and broken traditional norms and gender barriers. Ethnically Pushtoon, Ameena has adjusted herself in Baloch family and is now contesting for PP-243 and PP-244 besides NA-172 and NA-173.

Earlier, Ameena’s mother-in-law and Jaafar’s mother — a British origin lady — first made public appearances in the district. She participated in public ceremonies along with her spouse, Atta Muhammad Leghari.

Ameena is, however, concentrating her electioneering campaign in PP-244 — a constituency mainly consisting of urban areas.

Sumaira Ansari, who is a middle-class educated lady and a member of the district council, is also in the run for PP-244.

Talking to Dawn, Sumaira said she plunged into politics through social work. She said she had to overcome numerous hurdles to reach this point.

Shamoona Ambreen Qaisrani, the wife of Mir Badshah Qaisrani, is the third woman now contesting for NA-171 and PP-240. She is also not new to the politics. She had contested for Taunsa Sharif tehsil nazim’s slot, but lost to Khwaja Salahuddin.

Having Masters in Psychology, Shamoona Ambreen along with her spouse also braved strict family traditions barring women from outdoor activities. She is the first woman of her tribe taking part in politics.

She told Dawn that through politics she would strive for serving the masses even if she succeeded or not. She said without the help of her spouse, she would not be able to contest the general elections.

Despite Afifa, many other women of this district had also taken part in politics. Begum Zeenat Khan and Dilshad Begum took part in the politics directly while Begum Shehnaz Saleem and Lubna Saqib participated indirectly.

Though all mainstream political parties claim giving equal treatment to both the sexes, none of them has embraced them in their ranks and considered these three women entitled for a party ticket.

Political circles have appealed to political parties to promote moderation in the rigidity-dominated politics of this district by translating the abilities of these courageous women in the best interest of the public.