Aangan Se Aiwan Tak
Aurat Foundation, Lahore
130pp. Rs147
Reviewed by Yasmin Mustafa

With the increasing pace of globalisation, centuries old patriarchal norms are losing their credibility with the emerging strength of the weaker sex in our society. Women are now breaking free from the barbed wires of male chauvinism to raise their voice to let the world feel their presence and importance. This transformed attitude of Pakistani women is mostly channelled through NGOs and other identical forums. Aurat Foundation is one such organisation working vigorously to bring the women of our country into the limelight, that too in true perspective. This task of encouraging and patronising women`s talent and labour is certainly praiseworthy, for such a platform has always been indispensable for the progress of women in our society.

The Aangan Se Aiwan Tak series of books has recently been published by the Aurat Foundation. It is an anthology of experiences of the elected women councillors holding 33 per cent of the reserved women`s seats. According to the book, the percentage is extremely low, for women constitute 52 per cent of our total population. Also, according to the Global Gender Gap report, Pakistan ranks 126 in the Gender Gap Index. In reference to this particular report, women`s participation in local bodies is a real breakthrough.

The stories included in the two series are the narration of these women councillors; wherein they talk about the hardships they faced in order to gain their respective seats in an entirely male-oriented and male-dominated society. The Aurat Foundation invited women councillors from all over the country in several workshops so that they could exchange their views and experiences as councillors and communicate with others in their profession.

The stories narrated by the councillors were later compiled and made presentable with interesting and enlightening details. The stories reflect the originality of the narrators. The experiences of women councillors prove to be an eye-opener for the readers of both the sexes as they reflect the orthodox thinking and various taboos rampant in our society. A society which still holds women as the weaker and more dependent sex, whose intelligence and imagination have no role to play in the development of our country. In such a depressing scenario, the emergence of women in politics in underdeveloped and poor localities is something that must be appreciated.

The political involvement of women belonging to the elite of our society in the councils, which influences and strongly supports the political clubs of our country is not worth discussing as much as the struggle and hardships faced by those women who rose from poverty and illiteracy to prove their existence. These determined women have travelled through the thorny paths but their dedication resulted in their victory as councillors. They are the undisputed role models for the generations to come.

Aangan Se Aiwan Tak tells the story of Councillor Salima Bibi of Swabi. This single woman`s saga is full of struggles, as she faces opposition from all fronts. But her untiring efforts bring success in her life. Among many others, Talat Yasmeen, district councillor of Mandi Bahauddin has many feathers to her cap. One of her main achievements was to bring electricity to her village. The victory of women councillors in remote areas mirrors their devotion and dedication to their job.

The book also includes the details of various successful projects, which women councillors completed in their tenure. The projects of water, electricity, education, health, sanitation and housing remained their top priorities. They also successfully dealt with the mohalla and community-based hostilities in their areas. Allocation of loans never proved to be a simple matter and women councillors had to face great resentment from the government and other bodies. But it is very encouraging to note that some of the councillors stood firmly for the fortification of their areas and the harassment from male counterparts and the active mafia of their respective areas failed to stand in their way.

The Aurat Foundation`s efforts to bring to the readers the unique and challenging experiences of women councillors is a major step towards opening a new arena of recognition, dignity, necessity and acceptance, which the women of our country have been deprived of since the nation`s inception. Progress and prosperity will always remain a distant dream unless women are given their due share in all affairs.

Aangan Se Aiwan Tak is a valuable document that projects the possible role which women are destined to play in Pakistan`s political present and future.