Discrimination, inequality, gender bias, male chauvinism, absence of resources, and lack of acceptance and recognition were the buzzwords at the first summit of women councillors and mayors
POLITICAL empowerment, good governance, equality, women rights and true representation were just some of the jargons that echoed in a local hotel where some 80 women mayors and councillors from different districts of the country gathered to share experiences at what was to be the first summit of women councillors and mayors.
Begum Sehba Musharraf, opening the session, said Pakistan ranked high in the region as the country with the best practices in the political empowerment of women. She termed the process as a silent revolution and said: “A sound and well-represented beginning for women’s political participation and empowerment has been made.”
However, the councillors and mayors, who had come from far to share their concerns, felt differently. Discrimination, inequality, gender bias, male chauvinism, absence of resources and lack of acceptance and recognition were the buzzwords at the session.
They were vocal enough to share the common challenges that confronted them and spoke of bias and inequality at all levels of political governance.
Commenting on the attitude of their male colleagues, one councilor termed women as ‘mere showpieces’ who are often made to sit outside the council meetings’ specially budget sessions. If they were to be used as showpieces, she said they were better off inside the four walls of their homes.
The councillors regretted that established women politicians were the biggest hurdles for young women aspiring to enter this field. “They consider it their exclusive birthright to do politics in the name of women, and do not consider those coming from mediocre backgrounds as eligible.”
With the passage of time and the new local government ordinance reserving 33 per cent seats in local councis for women, Pakistan has increased opportunities for women’s representation and participation in local affairs. “However, numbers alone do not necessarily guarantee that women will be able to effectively participate in decision-making at the local level,” said Thelma Kay, representing the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
In Pakistan, the role of women on LG has become extremely important because of the devolution of government functions to the local level. However, she said to be successful, devolution must be accompanied by good governance which requires transparency, accountability and participation. This necessitates, among others, gender mainstreaming in local govt to ensure that the views and participation of women are included along with those of men.
Patriarchal social systems, social and cultural prejudices, financial dependence, limited exposure to political processes, lack of media support and sometimes harassment and intimidation were some of the barriers Thelma Kay named that Pakistani women have to overcome to make a real difference in their communities.
One feels sad that now media is also being termed or has become an impediment for Pakistani women, because portrayal of women in media, they say, has, in a number of ways, adversely influenced social attitude and behaviour, with a negative impact on women and girls in Pakistani society.
MUSAMMAT UZMA GILLANI
UNTOUCHED by the fads and fashion of the time, clad in a sari and hair loosely tied, reciting Manto’s Sarak Kay Kinaray, Uzma Gillani demonstrated her tremendous potential of dialogue delivery as the Speaker of the Month at the Dialogue on Art, arranged by Pakistan National Council of Arts.
Without any hesitation and taking advantage of the presence of Ahmed Faraz, Aslam Azhar, Zia Jallundhri and Col S.K. Tressler occupying the front seats, Uzma spoke her heart out on a subject she feels bitter about. Artistes, she said, receive nothing from the society, although they give their sweat and blood to every performance. “Every time I am given a role, I have to kill Uzma Gillani to give birth to that particular role I am to perform,” she tried to make the audience realize.
“Although I receive immense love at the individual level, our profession is still not a recognized one. My recognition is only myself, Musammat Uzma Gillani!” Speaking on behalf of her clan, she said, “Our profession is, in fact, nonexistent at the national level.” She supported her argument by referring to President Musharraf’s visit to India for the Agra Summit. The President consulted people from all fields, except the performing arts.
Defining drama as ‘expression’, Uzma said an artiste gives life to the written word. “Whenever I go through a script, I first try to visualize the character in terms of its attire and appearance, dialogue delivery, tonal variations and mannerism. The real talent, according to her, lies in how best an artiste can interpret each word. Although one of the most versatile drama artiste of Pakistan Television, Uzma rated radio performance far more challenging as compared to the mini screen.
The Urdu word funkar, Aslam Azhar said, was the best description of an artiste. Acting, he said, is not mimicry. The artiste, like a poet, is a spokesperson of the society. “Funkar is much better than the word ‘actor’ or ‘actress’ in English language. For funkar is a tarjuman, and that’s what he or she does for the audience.”
Comments from the audience kept reminding Uzma that if it hadn’t been for their love for her, such a huge crowd cramped in the National Gallery would not have been witnessed. The management also regretted the inconvenience suffered by the audience as they probably underestimated Uzma’s popularity and her fan club.
Discrimination, inequality, gender bias, male chauvinism, absence of resources, and lack of acceptance and recognition were the buzzwords at the first summit of women councillors and mayors 
