Where is the anger coming from

Pakistan was born into a time where feudalism was most dominant, and the essence of a feudal mindset was to in-cage the female within the four walled boundary of her house. Cage, even if it were made out of gold was a cage after all. Women were expected to play the role of a nurturer, the mother, recognized and valued only for her reproductive capability. No lady could visit the doctor without justifying her need to do so, education was an urban legend and child marriages were a norm. This is the time when women like Fatima Jinnah came and walked the paths of politics and encouraged females to empower themselves with independence, knowledge and money. Pakistani females were ecstatic with the idea of having some say in how they want their life to be, even if it meant to have liberty to choose what to wear; or if they wanted to continue to study or if they didn’t want to get married to someone.

For the feudal patriarchs who were forced to loosen up the leash they had around their women, this concept of empowerment was seen as a threat to their rule. No one was challenging their dominant status in the household or in workplaces. Only separate quotas for educated women, employment opportunities for skilled ladies and priority lines in market places. Just a little space to breathe. Educated men, supported this idea and helped the progression of it as well. Unfortunately Pakistan was and will always be majorly comprised of uneducated men and women who believed that suppression was all that women deserved. 1977 bought Zia-ul-Haq in power who fed the extremist mindset, resulting in toxicity brewing within the patriarchy so deep that it provoked hatred from the opposite gender. His policies did not just propagate and strengthen patriarchal beliefs in the society, but also sent out the message that they were “right” and it was acceptable to treat women in such manner. Hudood ordinance punished the female even though males were equally involved in adultery and there were no means of proving rape, this was also dealt as adultery. His government systematically worked towards the removal of women from the public sphere and the perpetuation of the image of the modest and chaste women according to them. Campaign started with the enforcement of Chadar for all female government employees and in education institutes, this was followed by campaign against obscenity. Women were generally regarded as synonymous with obscenity, corruption and immorality. If a woman was harassed, killed or raped it was because she had provoked these attacks by her speech, action or just their presence. Honor killings rose in the society and any man could benefit from the exception of “grave and provocation plea” saying she was guilty of adultery.

This was the era when males benefited from their dictation over everything a female did, the very same time where empowered women were angry and helpless. These difficult situations gave rise to the fearless impersonation of an empowered woman from the west. A Feminist. Iqbal Bano dared to step up to an audience of 50,000 in a stadium in Lahore and recite “Hum dekhein gey” in a saree which was prohibited for women to wear. This poem later became a battle cry. 

It was because of such fearless women that feminism became an uproar in Pakistan. These women where the suppressed springs now ready to bounce back with full force, snatch back the rights they were born with. They were ready to be the backfire that is lit to extinguish the forest fire of toxic patriarchy. Albeit some agendas of the feminist movement might not resonate with everyone supporting the thought, but every single lady supports the idea of being treated equally decent as a man in the society. The first Aurat March, held as a protest on international women’s day, meant to communicate the need to make certain topics matters of public discourse. For example, consent and gendered roles. Aurat March revolutionized the impact of the slogans depicting women rights and issues. Most importantly, the mobilization of women in the form of a march banished the view that they were not conscious of their own oppression. In a society where women are told to disappear inside their houses- and then even disappear from their houses on the arrival of male guests, where women are told not to be loud, told that they must accept things as they are; the visual of women going out on the streets- chanting, shouting, dancing, marching, leading, fighting- is remarkable. No one should see it as a threat, a new idea should always be given space to gauge audience.

According to the recent statistics out of 49.2% educated women in Pakistan only 28% contribute to the work force and the ideal of the feminist movement is to take this ratio as high as possible. With feasible transport, flexible work timings and cooperation from spouse this goal is easily achievable and can contribute greatly to the economic prosperity of our country.

It is simple, because we are a good half of the population, it is time for us to claim equal footing as well.