| May 13, 2008 | Tuesday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 7, 1429 |
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Democracy is a messy thing
Not by visa alone
Ending re-employment
Hope for calm environment
Justice to people
Opportunity for others
Austerity begins at home
Fake toothpaste
Five-day working week
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
GENDER is understood to mean ‘knowledge about sexual difference’, where knowledge includes ‘understanding produced by cultures and societies of human relationships, in this case between men and women’. Thus the perceptions implicit in the approaches of the organisations are the starting point of the letter.
To what extent are these organisations gender-aware concerning literacy in communities and how reflexive their approaches are in literacy promotion under present conditions will be brought out?
Here the practice of identifying the ‘problem’, for instance the ‘problem of women’s literacy’ in the Third World, by planners and making efforts to ‘solve the problem’, is seen as an activity distinct from the ‘problem’ as seen by insiders and communities.
Yet diverse ‘on-the-ground’ possibilities and approaches of meaningful engagement are emphatically acknowledged.
Needless to say, social and legal constraints on women’s autonomy, self-assertion and participation in decision-making have disadvantaged them at all levels in effectively challenging those forces which have left them, their families and communities in threatening environments; especially under colonialism and other regimes.
It should be mentioned that, in general, sources are extremely scarce which document local women’s as well as local activities and points of view. Almost all accounts are external.
The context of gender and literacy then includes the impact of colonialism, of globalisation and of ‘development’ policies, especially those of education.
In the light of this, the perceptions and, therefore, the approaches to and efforts of literacy will be evaluated with a view towards the question: What would be successful in literacy efforts for women in developing countries, especially Pakistan? In this it attempts, in the most direct manner, to explain the disparity in male/female literacy rates, and the failure of most literacy efforts. The answer is normative and engages in contemporary debates in approaches and strategies for literacy education.
In 1990 for every 100 girls of primary-school age, only 30 attended school; among girls of secondary-school age, only 13 were enrolled in school; and among girls of the third level (Grades IX and X), only 1.5 out of 100 were in school. Despite these harrowing statistics, Pakistan has never had a systematic, nationally coordinated effort to improve female primary education.
The rural-urban disparity is even more marked. In 1981, only 7 per cent of women in rural areas were literate, compared to 35 per cent in urban areas.
To account for the ‘constraints’ and ‘causes’ for the ‘slow growth’ in literacy rates for women in Pakistan, a number of reasons are cited. Among these are poverty, lack of women teachers, inadequate infrastructure, access to schools, irrelevance of content due to urban or class bias, especially for women in rural environment, low ‘status’ of women, oppression and marginalisation of women in patriarchal and largely feudal setup and the government’s lack of will. Here are some remedies to increase our women’s literacy ratio:
— Substantial recruitment of women teachers, because of prejudice against co-education beyond a certain age.
— Non-formal /part-time educational activities for school-age girls pre-occupied with domestic chores and looking after siblings.
— Provision of incentives such as free meals, school uniforms, textbooks, stationery, attendance scholarships.
— Improvement in physical environment of schools, i.e. provision of separate toilet facility.
— Use of alternative modalities for educating children such as organising classes in religious places and private homes.
— Differentiated curriculum for meeting the special needs of girls, such as homecraft, care of babies, nutrition as part of the curriculum.
— Use of distance education through self-learning packages and radio and TV broadcasts.
— Free education for girls up to the end of secondary stage to avoid premature withdrawal from education.
— Early childhood education and care centres where siblings are looked after to give girls opportunities for primary schooling.
ANUM IMTIAZ
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Mir Ali’s letter (April 22) written in response to mine, ‘Democracy is a messy thing’ (April 14). I thank Mr Ali for reading my letter and sharing his views on the issue. However, it seems that he has been in the United States of America for too long or that he has absolutely no idea about the ground realties as they exist in this country. Had he been in Pakistan after March 9 and switched on the television, he would have seen the state brutality that took place against lawyers, politicians, former bureaucrats and journalists.
After Nov 3, 2007 the superior courts in Pakistan have for all practical purposes ceased to be non-controversial. Reference in this regard may be made to the very many protests, as well as arrests, and numerous articles written in the print media regarding the imposition of the emergency and the ouster of judges who refused to take the oath of office under the PCO. Therefore, it is a fallacy to think that this is civilised society where courts of law can guarantee justice, especially when it comes to cases in which powerful politicians are involved.
As for elections (Mir Ali referred to them as ballot-boxes) being the method to remove politicians from power, I would like to refer to him to the European Union’s Election Observation Mission’s report on the elections in Pakistan. This independent observer has criticised these elections, which apparently had been the most transparent ones in recent decades, on the grounds of pre-poll rigging and misuse of government funds by certain candidates who were then in power. This report, it is important to mention, was published after I had written my letter. As for the elections of years gone by, any history book on Pakistan would suffice in informing Mr Ali of the deplorable reputation of the electoral process in our country.
Mr Ali contradicts himself towards the end of the letter by saying that I deluded myself in believing that this is now a country where the will of the people is stronger and more forceful.
Democracy only exists when the will of the people is strong. If, as Mr Ali says, the will of the people is not strong in this country, then it is safe to assume that democracy does not live here.
This postulate automatically destroys his argument that the courts of law and the ballot boxes are the route to take to address our grievances and achieve our political aims, as certainly these things cannot function effectively in the absence of democracy.
This society then, it follows, is not a civilised society where the people should not take the law into their own hands. So, if this is not a democracy, then people should act on their own to achieve what they desire since no other institution will assist them in reaching their objectives.
OBAIDUR RAHMAN KHAN
Karachi
KULDIP Nayar, in his article, ‘Not by visa alone’ (April 11), quotes Mian Nawaz Sharif as suggesting to the government to unilaterally lift visa restrictions on travel by Indians.
How could the senior Mian, a former prime minister and now leader of the second largest party, be left behind and not come up with as startling a proposal as was made by Asif Ali Zardari on Kashmir.
Our leaders, in their new-found role and exuberance, have a tendency to transgress into areas which are beyond their comprehension and are bound to create confusion at home and abroad, besides making us a laughing-stock.
It would be advisable to leave such things to the technocrats whose job it is and have been trained to look at an issue from various angles and come up with their recommendations. It is unfortunate that conflicting statements by government and party functionaries are setting bad and damaging precedents and demonstrate lack of understanding and coordination.
It is disappointing to note that Mr Sharif’s proposal fails to address our interest and is one-sided. The ill-advised and controversial proposal is likely to be rejected by the Indians.
Why is this unfortunate country’s interest being blatantly ignored and made subservient to ill-conceived ideas and wishes of the ill-equipped people.
KHAN A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
THIS is apropos of the news report, ‘Govt decides to terminate re-employment contracts’ (April 30). The unemployed youth and those persons whose promotions have been blocked for a long time by the retired incumbents of the high offices in the public sector departments, including universities, have been overjoyed at this statement because they see a ray of hope for their future in it.
However, there is a loophole in this policy statement by the Sindh government.
It needs to be removed. It states that “due to non-availability of technical experts” these retired bureaucrats can be retained at the discretion of the chief minister.
As far as Sindh University is concerned, there is no dearth of talent and expertise.
Conversely, none of the retired officers working on contract is a ‘technical expert’.
For instance, in the words of Lord Curzon, the illustrious viceroy of India and later on chancellor of Oxford University, whose book, The Frontiers, is one of the classic readings in international relations, “The vice-chancellor of a university should be the beacon of light and the symbol of scholarship”.
But the vice-chancellor of Sindh University is, unfortunately, simply a retired bureaucrat, with no academic record in research.
Similarly, the pro-vice-chancellor is again a retired person. Undoubtedly, she has PhD from London University, but there are more serving professors whose academic stature is much higher than hers as far as the world class research and publications are concerned.
The registrar is again a retired officer. The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association, Sindh chapter, has published a list of university-wise retired officers.
According to it, Sindh University has the largest number of retired officers: numbering 12 (April 19).
The Punjab government has already cancelled contracts of the retired officers from the universities under its jurisdiction.
If the Sindh government wants to curb unemployment and inject new blood in its institutions to raise efficiency, it must give packing orders to those who have served their times.
DR MEHTAB ALI SHAH
International Relations
University of Sindh
Jamshoro
THE present situation of Pakistan is at odds: all ongoing incidents are still not revealed, whether negative or positive, and every one of us is waiting to see how things will unfold.
Restoration of judges is equally a matter of life and death, because of the appalling mess that can take the form of gory distress.
A perfect and sensible decision is warranted. The trenchant reality of still an unbalanced system and administration blockade, which is not being able to work smoothly, is a sad episode.
Every political episode passes away, either good or bad.
We hope for calm and moderate environment to be able breathe in a free country.
NIDA SAEED
Faisalabad
THERE is talk about justice and the judiciary in every nook and corner in our country. It seems as if we have no other worries but the restoration of judges, and this happens to change our fate as a nation.
Indeed, this hypothesis is far from reality in the true sense. Today a wide number of our working and salaried class is suffering from food crisis and lack of educational facilities to be able to feed and educate their children.
I belong to the same category and ask my elected government to focus on provision of food at affordable prices to our population. I also appeal to them to check increasing fuel prices, to provide our children quality education. I expect them to work on social and health sectors as well.
This will be the true restoration of the judiciary and justice. We are not interested in individual judges with seemingly political associations but collective justice can only be given to us if all our basic needs are provided to us.
ALI FAHIM
Khairpur
WE, the permanent employees of the National Institute of Cardio Vascular Diseases, Karachi, would like to bring to the notice of the prime minister the fact that there haven’t been any promotion to the post of the executive director in the institution for a long time.
This is because the current employee has been continuing, on extension, in the post for almost 12 years.
Although he has rendered good service to the institution, it is time others are also given a chance.
He may be transferred to some other suitable post within the health department where he can benefit the department with his extensive experience and expertise.
NICVD WELFARE ASSOCIATION
Karachi
SURPRISINGLY it seemed a little silly, and unrealistic I might add, when the newly-elected prime minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, showed his austere inclination by announcing that government officials, including himself I assume, would not travel in vehicles above 1600cc and would not be flaunted by any VIP protocol.
However, this Sunday while protesting for the restoration for the judiciary on The Mall, I witnessed the PM travelling in an unregistered BMW 7 series, which is at least a 4000cc vehicle, flaunted with a protocol with at least 15 vehicles, including police vehicles, ambulances and other cars, some of which had only one passenger (who incidentally was the driver).
Not to mention the constant nuisance this protocol causes, as the residents of the Defence Housing Authority in which he resides get caught on his ‘route’. Further, his sons are seen driving around the city in unregistered Land Cruisers with the protocol of two police vehicles.
It seems this democratically-elected government is not very different from those before, and hasn’t learnt from mistakes made in the past as is evident from their behaviour. Why make promises that you can’t fulfil, like the Murree Declaration, and mentioning a timeframe and then later announcing not being restricted to it.
I urge the media to cover such incidences, report them to the public and remind the elected representatives who they are, and what their role is and that (hopefully) they wish to contest elections the next time around too.
MOHAMMAD SULAIMAN AMIN
Lahore
THIS is with reference to the letter, ‘Use of kaolin in toothpaste’ (May 11). This may not come as a surprise that many toothpaste manufacturers allegedly use substandard ingredients.
Unless and until toothpaste products are added on the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority’s list of compulsory check items, we may safely assume that some toothpaste products may be harmful to our health.
Some time ago, the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association published a research article (August 2003) finding steroids in toothpaste.
How long will it take for the government to wake up from its deep slumber on such issues and start protecting consumers?
FARIA AFFAN
Karachi
THIS is apropos of Barrister Zameer Hassan’s letter, ‘Two-day weekly holiday” (May 11). The writer has shown a glittering side of the problem, instead of a solution to the country’s economic and political outlook, and the adversity that ‘an ordinary man’ has been going through in the light of inflation etc.
I don’t want to refute his opinion but I think he should take some lessons on macro-economics and Asian history. I cannot claim myself to be a major in macro-economic development but experience has taught me that a pragmatic approach can be the short-cut to economic solutions.
Anticipated power crisis in the summer, contemporary global economy recession, rise in the prices of essential items, power tariff hikes and rupee depreciation have started to jolt Pakistan’s economy (thanks to our parallel economy).
I fully agree with the SBP governor’s remarks that political statements, intentional holding of export proceeds by exporters, forward contract on the establishment of letters of credits are depreciating rupee.
The answer is simple: allow all the commercial banks to exchange money over the counters. This would ease off the kerb market and inter-bank market differential.
I once remember, while studying macro-economics, a ‘two-day week holiday’ is an energy booster and, as Mahathir Mohamad (one of the most able visionaries produced by Malaysia) proved it too by having a two-day week holiday amidst economy recession in Malaysia, can be a vital intangible solution to the current economic upheaval.
A perfect case study for us to consider, and advantages are substantial.
First, a two-day weekly holiday will reduce the consumption of natural resources in commercial and industrial clusters, thus saving on the shortage in electricity and other fuel resources by a huge quantum and at the same time reducing the trade/fiscal deficit as the consumption of fuel will drop.
Second, a two-day weekly holiday will allow people to travel from metropolitan cities to rural towns, thus diversifying economy flows (both outflows and inflows) into rural towns and reducing the economy dependency from metropolitan cities. The circulation of economic activities will oxygenate the country. Don’t we want our country to be dependent on more cities with diversified economic flows?
Third, social life of all will improve, stress level will drop and people would have more time to spend with their families.
This is an intangible impact but it is going to improve the efficiency and productivity levels at work.
Nearly all the multinational companies in Pakistan and abroad observe a two-week holiday. Many developed and developing countries observe a two-week holiday and their economies are flourishing. Why can’t our country flourish?
I don’t want to waste my summers in darkness, heat and sombre silence cursing KESC, Lesco, Wapda, etc. I would also suggest tuning our clocks one hour back from March this year to optimise daylight saving and implement a two-day weekly holiday. This will amount to a double impact.
Last but not the least, I fully endorse that all shops be closed by 8pm (except Friday, Saturday and Sunday).
The government should also make a pragmatic approach and learn from countries which have experienced such a crisis.
SAAD AHMED SHAH
Karachi
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