The news of an elderly woman being paraded naked in Haripur, a remote village in Punjab, is really heart throbbing. Her crime? Her son is accused of adultery with a fellow village woman. The village jury declares her son guilty and the victim (her mother) is paraded around the streets naked, as the punishment. Justice dispensed! I wonder if the chief arbiter had pronounced the same verdict had he been accused of adultery/rape. But that is another story. In our Orwellian world, some people are just more equal than others.
So, what then, disturbs me is the fact that why, each time, a mother has to pay for the crimes of her son? Why, always, is a sister punished for a wrong done by her brother? Is this our way of restoring honour? Bartering and exchanging girls like cattle, raping them in the open, siccing dogs on them, and now, parading them naked on the streets. The simple logic that two wrongs never make one right seems incomprehensible to our ‘jurists’.
More importantly, these acts reflect the kind of society that we have become: an intolerant, chauvinistic and lawless masses thriving on hatred and insanity; these reports barely make us flinch. Most of us have adopted an ‘Ahh-soo-sad-but-that-happens’ attitude. Perhaps, because we have developed a stomach to tolerate these abuses of human rights or simply because we do not consider women human anymore.
Time and again, we hear about these ghastly crimes being committed against the weaker sex but we choose to remain silent. The Ghairat brigade (self-proclaimed patriots) in our country seem too busy for these ‘trivial’ issues for they have other important things in life to attend to. Of course, chanting slogans in favour of a murderer, showering him with rose petals, bringing valentines cards for him, protesting against the veil ban in France, and yes, blaming Amreeka for the load shedding, floods, earthquakes, traffic jams, gas shortages and everything but, are certainly significant national issues for them.
Why do these intimidating black robes and flowing beards who march down the streets threatening against a change in the blasphemy law remain quiet when it comes to supporting the Domestic Violence Act? Why do not they protest against the so called Honour killings? Where is honour in murdering and raping women I ask? Perhaps, we do know the answers.
To be precise, this violent behavior of most men towards women has been embedded into our mind-sets buttressed by cultural and religious connotations. In most of our villages, suburbs and even in some metropolitans, women are severely secluded. The society where mere talking to a stranger constitutes adultery and choosing a life partner causes dishonour for the family, it is only natural then that these women are punished for their ‘crimes’. Part of the reason behind these crimes against humanity is that the women in most parts of our society are considered mere objects. They are sold, bartered and exchanged with impunity; they literally do not have any rights.
Our State remains hostage to influential landlords and other powerful non-State actors; the powerful are tacitfully allowed to take matters into their hands and perpetuate violence against women. The ‘landmark’ case of Mukhtaran Mai is just one example. Gang raped in front of the entire village of Meerval near Multan in 2002 on the orders of a Jirga (traditional system of arbitration), Mukhtaran was threatened to remain silent. But she chose to fight, registering a case against the culprits. Eight out of the 14 accused were acquitted initially and after nine long years of struggle, she finally received the verdict. Five out of the remaining six were released for the lack of evidence. She is just one of hundreds of Mukhtarans who are abused every year. According to an HRCP report, around 3000 women were raped and another 791 murdered for honour in 2010 alone.
Albeit horrible, these figures should not be surprising. When criminals go unpunished and victims are derided, why would others hesitate in perpetuating similar crimes? Our nation is indifferent to the hundreds of Mukhtarans; none of who are getting justice.
We as citizens must also be held responsible for such atrocities. Women rights violations are secondary issues for us; always more interested in following more important myriad conspiracy theories that the evil US and the Western Alliance is hatching against this ‘land of the pure’. Most of us were more interested in following the Osama-Obama saga while virtually none noticed that four different cases of murder and violence were reported against women in that week alone.
How many of us protested when the draconian Hudood laws (I say draconian because they are abused in the name of God) were inflicted upon us? Why are we quiet when the government reneges on its promise to approve the Domestic Violence Bill, but go paranoid when the US detains Afia Siddiqui? Are our Mukhtarans any less worthy because they are abused in Pakistan whereas Afia is in the US? Our priorities appear confusing at best and disgusting at worst.
The only way out of this abyss is to set our priorities straight. We have to make a decision between remaining a barbaric society that tortures and humiliates half of its populace or choose to become a civilized community that does not discriminate against the opposite sex. We must rise above the mere rhetoric of supporting women and make a genuine effort to give our women their due right.
Zulfiqar Ali is an intern at Dawn.com. He is an undergraduate studying politics at the Lahore University of Management Sciences.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
I am sure someone else has already corrected the mistake, but if not just wanted to correct the fact that the haripur in this article is not a village, and not in Punjab. It is a big city ( a district), and is located in pakhtoonkhwa(NWFP).
Women’s rights are recognized in all major religions including Islam. However, the respect of women and respect of their rights depends on both education and knowledge about religion. The countries where people are less familiar about their own religion and lack in general education the abuse of the women, children and weak is prevalent. Pakistan and India both are countries where a lot needs to be done for the women’s rights since the abuse of women’s rights are rampant. There are major contradictions also in these countries when it comes to Women’s rights. Pakistan and India were both amongst the first countries in the World to elect women, Benazir Bhutto and Indra Gandhi, as their Prime Ministers, which is indicative of families having respect and equality in rights of their women and men. This discrepancy and contradiction exists in these countries because of education. While the upper class in both Pakistan and India is well educated and advanced the rest of the majority is illiterate or marginally educated. This highlights the need for “quality education” in Pakistan. We need “quality education” in Pakistan to get rid of a lot of social, cultural, and traditional ills (like honor killings etc.).
We are really good at writing…. we are really good at provoking people…. but… when it comes to take a solid step against this kinda brutality, we all remain silent, even if a similar case happens in front of our eyes…. Time presses to reject injustice practicaly, even if our lives are at stake.
We’re treading on a dangerous path on many counts, particularly on the question of women rights. I wonder why the champions of Aafia Siddiqi case adopted silence over the incident in Haripur or the recent one, where a girl was stoned, burned with acid and then shot dead in Mardan. Can’t they see and hear or it is only the political expediencies. And for the record, Haripur is part of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and not Punjab.
Tamil Poet Mahakavi Bharathi said and till date followed in priciple by most Indians”When there is injustice meted out even to a single woman , then lets destroy this Universe”!! There should be no other reason for destruction !!
For putting away all these centuries old bad habits of the male dominated socity,we have to up date & stengthen our educational & judical systems.
I have two comments to make on this:
1) It may be relevant and worthwhile to go through the detailed case of Shah Bano as transpired in the 80s in India. This was a landmark case that affected the rights of Muslim women across India, and the repercussions are felt today.
2) Some states in India have introduced all-women police stations, which run very successfully, and have a better impact in maintaining law and order. This model could be followed
We are seeing the fruits of democracy (hypocrisy). The Pakistani media is in the forefront in promoting/strengthening this democracy/hypocrisy. It is the media that supports, promotes, and glorifies the corrupt, decadent, and immoral politicians who do not care about the well-being, rights, and safety of the people.
Woman who left Pakistan. No one will agree with you than I. I am a man who, too, left Pakistan, and I am a feminist. And, I believe that men do not need girl friends or wives, they need mothers. Mothers who can teach them how to respect women in many ways, and mothers who can use their rods in many ways. We need to educate men 1000 times more then women. Men should respect women even if they are uneducated. women have done that, and still doing it. Men should be the honor of the family or tribe. If he beats or mistreats his wife, he dishonors the whole tribe. I fully support your group of women who can say on the faces of men “EFF YOU TOO. This group can become a terror for the bad guys. Lets take it seriously.
It is a touchy article.Keep writing on such issues for correction of our society.God bless you.
very well written….however, haripur is in KPK…not punjab! its part of hazara!
Well written mate..I love the fact how you have compared Mukhtaran Mai to Afia Siddiqui….
Prayers that God guides us….
I’m reading the comments with interest. My heart goes out to the pain the women are expressing. And as a woman who cares about the suffering of women, women being treated as objects and vassals, women being chained to the domestic and not allowed to use their God-given gift and skills; and have also been following Pakistan issues for a while, this article is wonderful, yet another small incremental step to progress and improvement (Fatima Bhutto)
dear , if u have written it from the bottom of ur heart, and u think that u can bring some change in these ignorant systems then i shall be standing with you. the fact is that our society has no respect about justice and humanity; and only because of this we are going behind. people who indulge themselves in such inhuman acts will never be forgiven by almighty ALLAH. they think they restore the honour of a person whose relative woman was dishonoured by dishonouring the woman related to wicked;how uncommon nonsense is this. why don’t they think that the same thing can happen to them, can they see their mother,daughter,sister or wife exposed in a huge crowd even though they are guilty of any crime. and if the juries are there to declare such rubish punishments for crimes then what is the need of lagislation and sectors of justice; rule them out of our countary we dont need them if in their presence such gruesome acts are being done..
I am with you women atrocities and harassment still on the way ,no one is going to raise the voice,just brag
Bravo to u buddy, plz educate to ur fellow jouranlist to bring these issues in public with full force. Plz write and do something for hindu dalits in pakistan, they are facing atrocities since 1000s of years, earlier from upper caste hindus and now muslim and upper caste hindus as well, I read some report from about pakistani’s dalit hindus, its says the condition of this community even worse than the poors in Africas…
Thanks
Deepak
Thanks mate, and yeah, i am planning to write about injustices aginst hindus, not just to those of lower caste but some affluent families as well espacially in interior Sind.
Thanks Sir, thats very generous of you, you r doing gr8 job !!!
Hope your efforts open the aankh and kaan of the deaf and blind people and it brings some change in these poor and helpless people’s lives..
Thanks.
Deepak
Yes, what you wrote is a touching account, but I shall challenge you into deciding if it contributes anything to the already existing myriad of ‘oh how brutal is our society’ works. What I am really looking for is someone taking a legitimate stab at why we got to this point or if Pakistan is at this point than what needs to be done in a substantial manner to change it. Speaking up, while a starting strategy, does not inform us of any framework that would bring about real change. Words can be useful, lets make them so.
not a matter of challenge. The writer is doing his bit…..
To teh best of my knowledge, Haripur stays in the limits of Khyber Pukhtunkwa. Whether any area with the name Haripur exists in Punjab is not in my knowledge. The article is a good attempt.
Yes Zeb you are righht………. As Google tells us
if we take your figure of 3000 rape out of 180 million people of Pakistan, the rate come to 1.66 but see the under mentioned link for international perspective
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_statistics
you will find rate as high as 30 for USA and UK the countries which are ideal for you.
the crime above are really condemnable but they are not part of our society but people like you try to portray such small condemnable acts as every Pakistani is like so.
we Pakistanis strongly condemn them and want to make this rate zero.
Pakistan Zindabad
Faisal Awan
its not about statistics, it is about a serious problem that has haunted us for decades, and we shouldn’t just be proud that we have a lower rape rate here as opposed to US or others western countries, because cases are fairly under reported due to various reasons so we do not know actual figures. Anyways, women in pakistan are not just victims of rape or torture, rather the are subject to comprehensive discrimation in every walk of life. Hope u get it.:)
Boss….3000 is the no. of rapes reported…the incidence of unreported rapes is huge….because of the South Asian mentality women fear to report crimes against them and even Police discourage them to do so…stating family honour….
Since women in UK & US are more literate and know their rights better….they report any crime against them to authorities….So statistically they have a higher rates of rape….but no. of rapes are more in our region…..
fulgent. your approach towards the social evil is decent. your writings gives us a realistic touch of human importance. we should allow our minds to think about the brutal acts of those people of our society who are disgracing women in these ways. they are animals like human. but the burnning issue is that the government is so torpid and dull to do anything against these people.
i appriciate your effort and work for lightening the issues of women of our localities.
Dude, Mukhtaran Mai was never gang raped. The SC has convicted only one man in the case. Rest all of them have served around 10 years in jail without committing any crime. I wonder why people don’t try to cut through the haze of fiction surrounding this case. Check this out http://thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=44406&Cat=9
Well done brother zulfiquar. You gave a hard slap on the face to every immoral and ignorant Pakistani out there who for too long have abused and ashamed our country. I hope the same people who have spent time and energy defending osama,afia and that other terrorist realise who really are the victims in this Pakistani society. Cheers.
The Elites have been so busy exploiting and dehumanising the population. I think there is no Islam in Pakistan. There is no shame in Pakistan. I feel by removing this ladys clothes, they have dishonored all our mothers, sisters and daughters. I demand that the men who did this be hanged publicly.
Dear, I second your views in this post but why to drag religion in every matter. Simply because some fanatics have hijacked religion for their own hidden motives? I was astounded to look at your audacious comment “draconian hudoods”. Huddods are mentioned in the Holy Quran; they are not draconian; it is rather our apathy to understanding and implementing these hudoods. One more thing, you should also have pointed out the biased attitude of hundreds of so called NGOs chanting slogans for the protection of women rights. To them Mukhtaran Mai is woman but Afia is not. Why this discrimination??? In fact we as a nation are divided into two major group: Ghariat Brigade and Secular people: none of them bothers to think rationally and contribute for the well being of the country. Both are just leg pullers of each other, nothing else.
Well this article is an eye opener. These kind of articles must be published in the national newspapers as well. Because this is a very sensitive issue and must be addressed on national level. One thing more that Haripur village is situated in KPK province not in Punjab.
I would say marvellous-fantastic-brilliant article yada yada and be on my way. Though I think this article provokes action! I wish movements for women’s rights were being promoted more because I’ve got time and money to spare. For suggestions ppl can reply here.
Dear Sir,
This is a very nice article. Unfortunately it would be read by less than 0.5% of the population. Unless we all get united and condemn violence in any form, this will not stop. And there is no point in teaching elders. They will not change. The non-violence movement should start from the childhood. These things can be best taught in childhood, in school and at home. But when those places are used to ignite violent thoughts against others, then there is no end to this.
where is our CJ ? I didn’t hear sou moto….
Dear Zulfiqar, Thanks for writing this piece, just wanted to highlight a few things.
1. Is kind of Editorial, but should it not be (his mother)
2. Women are NOT the weaker sex. how can you say that when both scientifically and in Islam is it proven that we are the stronger sex.
Yes, In Pakistan, women are treated worse than cattle and depraved pakistani men pull them down. Why is only the woman responsible for the family’s honor? while in all other cases , everything depends on the man? why why why.. there are so many why’s I could ask, but I know that you or others will not be able to answer them.
Zulfiqar, it is a matter of upbringing. I bet that you and all the others who have so vociferously supported this article think it is totally normal and expected that they will be given hot breakfasts by their spouses/ mother, their homes will be cleaned and their food waiting on the table when they come back from a “hard” day at work or college. it is not!
I came back to Pakistan for a visit after 15 years in 2007 (and never went back) and trust me, it felt hard to breathe. The domestic violence bill was being debated then and I went out with a team from Dawn and actually heard a man say, “Why should this bill be passed, my woman is my property, if I want to beat her up, I will”, well lets just say it took a cameraman and a sr. Journalist to restrain me from beating up that man.
What Pakistan needs is ONE group of women to stand up and say EFF YOU TOO! We are human. What The ISLAMIC republic of Pakistan needs is someone to educate these illiterate people about the true teachings of Islam, what Pakistan needs is women walking around with shearing blades, cutting off things when threatened by the supposed “stronger sex”, What Pakistan Needs is a return of common sense.
I could go on, this gets me so angry and I thank Allah that I left Pakistan when I did and have been able to grow up in an independent environment and have had chances to develop my true capabilities and live my life the way I have wanted to. More than anything, I am thankful to Allah that he has given me a chance to be proud of being a woman.
thanks for the suggestions, but i used “weaker sex” in a sarcastic way, not what you thought. And no, i dont consider woman as mere maids serving me all day long, If I did, i would not have written this piece in the first place. BTW, i like domestic bill part
Cheers!
Couldn’t agree more….
this is very encouraging to read, I hope that this sort of understanding spreads increasingly across Pakistan. Well done. You have a beautiful nation, full of poetry, eloquence, talent, romance. Pakistan has the WOW factor. But you have a huge internal education job to do with your young population and a PR job to the rest of the world. Your nation wowed Princess Diana and Jemima Khan, and growing numbers as they meet and interact with REAL Pakistanis, and read the growing thoughtful insights pouring from your nation. You do have deep problems but I sincerely hope not insurmountable.
Zulfiqar, very good and thought provoking article. WHY does this happen and nobody reacts, protest? This is not the case in women only. It is also the case about our politicians, corrupt officials. The only people come out are the religious extremists. You are at one of the finest university and with brightest people around. Please organize and start a movement. We all can do it with student power in the lead. People need a platform of moderates, rational minded, to support and follow. Unfortunately in our country only the mullahs have that platform and they bring their brain washed, illiterate people, loads full of buses, on the roads by just offering them a meal. Be part of the change that you want to see. We are with you!!
Very well written…keep at it and someday, the power of the pen will touch the hearts of many who will come out united and change the status kuo…god bless.
Well written, Zulfiqar sahib! Such acts are perpetrated by perceptions. Perceptions are governed by rules of faith that bind you do act, justified by another perception that you have punishment awaiting somewhere up there as and when if you don’t. You are one enlightened Pakistani brave enough to open your mouth against psyche based upon centuries old hypotheses. I won’t be surprised if you join a long queue of Shahzad Salim-type reformers in near future!
Till the people cannot accept that social norms prescribed in books written thousand years ago were only applicable to those societies not for 21st century, nothing will change. Forget women and minorities, the vast majority of our countrymen and countrywomen don’t think Muslims living in Indonesia, Turkey, Morocco, India are Muslims, or good Muslims.
As for the Pakistani women, equal rights and respect never comes served on a platter but need to be fought for. For that they need to convince or fight their fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, and, yes, their mothers.
Shame not only for Pakistan but for whole world. International community should do some thing as these woman are one of our mothers and sisters and unfortunately born in some part of this world which is really bad……………
Very nicely and honestly written. Heart breaking!!!!!!
timely article. This issues can be resolved, when People of pakistan realise that religious bigotry plays a vital part in Pak society today. Need of the hour- religious reform. Hinduism had many draw backs, but we had reformers. Since the last 150 yrs, what we follow is very liberal hinduism. God does not play any part of our day to day lives. rule of land is sacrosant. Muslims and christians are benefited because of this. I see lot of comments by pakistani commentators like- muslims are harassed, killed in India etc. Absolutely not true. If pakistan follows uniform civil code and keep religious dogmas at bay, it will become a normal society, But it is a very difficult thing to ask, no doubt.
Weldone Zulfi, you rightly pointed out the hypocrisy of so called leaders and citizens of this land of pure.
Im touched Mr. Zulfiqar! Lets hope for a better world and society where women can also have the same rights as we men have, through our collective efforts!
My reaction to the astonishing information contained in this article by Zulfiqar Ali is simple and incontrovertible: Pakistan must be a dreadful country.
nice one great yar …..written very well …..
Zulfiqar you have left us with no arguments to be extended. The question, why we are not raising voices against the inland violence against women has very simple answer. We no more own our opinions. Our view, beliefs and even attitudes are synthesized in laboratories and are injected to our minds, as and when required. Our eduction system fixes cannula in our vein of thought, whereby a synthetic dogma could be injected and we do not feel a prick even.
very sad and depressing….. Someone wake up…..
Haripur is situated in KP, not in Punjab and is not a small village but a full fledged district.
We are all shareholders who has conntributed in this socielty, people are not religiious they are born with the religion, most of them I would say majority of us 90% dont know anything about religion…. Religion is a postilate we are born with it… We think we are superior than others.. Its all about mind set.
Very well written, deep from the heart touching the hearts deeply.
I’m so glad Dawn wrote about it. I had expected it would have been one of those heinous crimes that were once reported, then swept under the rug! So where are the police and the courts on this?
The strength of a society lies in its women, for they are the Mothers who bring up the kids or the future generations. Educate the women and you have a good future. Something that Pakistan has to learn like so many other things. Wake up Pakistani’s you need a revolution.
Pakistani intellectuals such as Zulfiqar and Javed have a moral right to call for a movement to protect Pakistani women from insult and torture. Common people and students must volunteer toward the cause. Six decades ago, the world believed that Pakistan would lead the Islamic world in emancipating her people and women. What a disappointment! Poet Hali said: Ai maao, behnon, betiyo, duniya ki zeenay tum se hai. There still is time!!
Is there any limit or level of our downfall?We are a disgrace for logic, common sense, compassion, human dignity, humanity, our religion, etc etc etc……….I wonder how and when we will be able to get out of this hopeless abyss we find ourselves in.
Given the downword swirl we are in, all I can say is that it will get whole lot worse when it comes to women’s rights in this country before getting any better. There are fundamental issues such as lawlessness, dysfunctional justice system, religious politics, ignorance, controlling and insecure men, poverty, traditions…and the list goes on and on. Unless we tackle these, there is no hope for women to have a valuable place in our society..sadly!
Nice thought provoking article… i think that writers like you are playing an important role in eradicating extremism from society…
True yes. But i won’t agree with what you had to say about Dr. afia. Her case is just as important as any other female in our country.
so true, but any chance of an action being taken in this regards doesnt seem likely
Zulfiqar,
True and extremely well written article.
God bless you.
I couldn’t agree you less….this is very true and heart trembling. May be we are the worst example of humans ?
You mean you could not agree more?
Dear Zulfiqar Ali, this problem is not going to go away soon. It is all a matter of CONTROL. Most of Pakistanis are control freak. They would love to control anything that is weak. Don’t you see men, who ever they are, politicians or lawyers, security men or ordinary citizens are even trying to control each other. Similarly fathers control their children, husbands control their wives. It is all the matter of control.
You are right this problem is unlikely to disappear soon. Education is one way as it will get the people out of the 6th century attitudes and bring them into the modern world. Also Pakistanis should reduce the influence of the mullahs from their lives.
Marvellous. It must be published in every newspaper.
Publish for what reason ..to further demoralize our minds, hearts and souls. This is not an article to be published, but to make you and me realize what practical solution needs to take place in order to eradicate this problem. NGO’s have failed, Politicans have failed, Law enforcement has failed, my friend there is huge chain of power that has miserably failed, because on two things – fear of entities other than ALLAH SUBHANAWATAL and desires to fulfill desires with arrogance, ego and greed .
Read my post for this article and see if next time you go to masjid and find Muslims who can work on a project to provide the above solutions.
may ALLAH forgive us for our sins, and guide us and help us to be on Islam and to die on Islam . Ameen
Well Said
Very well written mate.
Heart touching.
NIcely concluded.
Cheers
Ashok