DAWN’s policy of fostering gender disparity is quite visible in articles printed time and again. Many women writers are often offensive and even satirical at times. The picture is not as grim as it is portrayed.

Consider, for instance, the number of applicants in universities for admission.

This year alone 66pc of applications received in Punjab University alone were from girl candidates. CSS aspirant girls are now in good number, as it used to be in the past. Eighty-nine girls were allocated in 2014 out of total 233 candidates. This year 177 girls have passed CSS written out of 379 successful candidates. They are provided better security in educational institutions.

Often males are victims of discrimination in several institutions. Quotas are there for girls in several departments.

A letter written to you by a Karachi-based woman doctor about abortion issues also supports my viewpoint. In Pakistan, at least, saving some areas, women are provided with equal opportunities and sometimes more than their male colleagues.

Hassan Abbas Khokhar

Chichawatni, Sahiwal

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HEforshe is the UN-headed ‘solidarity movement for gender equality’. In a global tide the campaign has gathered many supporters and activists speaking for its cause. As for every revolution the world has witnessed, each culture and part of society has chosen to interpret this campaign in their own way.

There are some who are struggling to fill the wage gap while others whose fight is confined to limited professional opportunities. Some give passionate speeches about gender-balanced governments while others’ understanding is limited to codes of dressing and ethics.

Similarly, we Pakistanis need to accept this changing trend on our own terms in view of its societal norms, culture and values. Instead of eliminating the distinct line between genders we should strive for providing both genders with equal rights and opportunities. We need to keep sight of our values and ethics.

Holding open a door for a girl is not discrimination, it’s regard. Giving your seat to a woman on the bus is not inequality, it’s respect. We need to give each gender the regard it deserves. We cannot deny the existence of genders. There’s a purpose men were created distinct from women. There’s a reason why their phsycology and physiology have been made different. To treat them as one without any rightful distinction is just as cruel as it is unjust.

Heforshe was started to end wrongful discrimination. We should aim at providing both genders with equal prospects without stepping over each other’s boundary lines. Fight for your rights without denying the other person his rights, demand respect after giving respect, and help each other up instead of stepping over one another.

Sexes were not created as competitors; they were made to work hand in hand, each fulfilling the other’s shortcoming, having what the other lacked. It’s easy to lose sight and use a noble cause for your own selfish wrongdoings. The campaign began for a greater good, a leap on our path for a just world. Let’s take this responsibility seriously.

Maha Hameed Khan

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2015