IT is beyond comprehension why people are afraid of giving women their due rights and consider the fight against harassment something immoral. There is nothing wrong in raising voice against harassment and demanding equal rights for the oppressed. Can we name one social domain — home, educational institutions, workplaces, etc. — where women in Pakistan may feel truly safe? Hardly.

The problem with many among us is that they misunderstand the meaning of feminism, which is actually the belief in social, economic and political equality regardless of gender. In other words, feminism is a movement to end sexism.

While patriarchy is deep-rooted and cannot be eradicated completely, we can struggle to fight for the rights of women by educating our youth. Many people campaign for girls’ education, but ignore the harassment in educational institutions that hinders their education. Unless we somehow manage the patriarchal mindset and prejudice that exist in society, we cannot think of a safe environment for women.

Ismail Gul Khilji
Quetta

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2021