MEERWALA: Last week, the women of Meerwala village infamous for a gang rape did something that gave the victim, Mukhtaran Mai, hope for the future.

They voted.

Wrapped in a shawl embroidered by herself and wearing traditional shalwar kameez, a baggy shirt and trousers, Mai was jubilant as she anticipated the election of two housewives from Meerwala to a district council.

“I hope these women will help resolve problems of all women. This can only be done if women are fully empowered,” said Mai, who caused a storm of bad publicity for the country and became an international symbol for womens’ rights after speaking out over her gang-rape ordeal three years ago.

The country is in the midst of an exercise in grass-roots democracy, that is also aimed at giving women a greater say by reserving them seats in representative bodies.

The first phase of elections for district councils was held on August 18 when 53 of the country’s 110 districts voted. The remaining districts will cast their ballots on Thursday.

Turnout was put around 50 per cent in the first round, but among women it was less, ranging from 43 per cent in Punjab province to 16 per cent in North West Frontier Province, where there have been allegations that women were barred from casting their ballots in some constituencies.

A general who came to power following a bloodless military coup six years ago, President Pervez Musharraf’s democratic credentials are often criticised, but he is credited with reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in local and provincial assemblies.

“Creating space for women, peasants and labourers is one of the positive aspects of these elections,” Khawar Mumtaz, a Lahore-based activist for women’s rights.

However, Mumtaz noted hundreds of men and women candidates won unopposed, raising suspicions that many others were prevented from filing nomination papers or had their applications rejected.

Mai’s dogged pursuit of justice may have embarrassed the government abroad, but it also gave courage to other victims to speak out against injustices.—Reuters