Women from elite backgrounds and higher backgrounds, although have their fair share of problems(like fair wages,discrimination,harrasment etc) are still progressing in some way for example education, a say in their marriage(some still dont have that) their share to their money and property etc.
It is the rural areas and the less privileged backgrounds or even middle class backgrounds where it is the worst and believe me the elite population does not constitute alot of our overall population. Acid attacks, rapes, honor killings, stoned by jirga decisions, maligned because of being divorced and widowed, no share given in property, domestic violence, being sold off for money(i am not even exaggerating, this still happens. We once had a house help who told us that her eldest daughter was sold off years ago by her father to a 70+ man to pay off some debts and she had no connection with her but she also had no desire for anyone's interventions because she did not want to be husband-less and that broke my heart because some women go through stuff behind closed doors I cant even imagine), dowry issues and so much more. Equal education is the least of their concerns given the other problems they have to go through on a daily basis. It is important to listen to such women because it maoes you realize the problems you thought were so 18th century still exist.
And we are far far behind and it hurts to see that many people do not realize the actual problems.And even though the Government hasnt taken decisive actions(still no ruling on everyday rapes of minors etc) i believe that if we as citizens and especially men(since we do live in a patriarchy afterall with men in ruling positions) behave the way they should we can go a long way.
Conversations with Kanwal is an amazing show which highlights such stories and even of women who might appear to be from privileged backgrounds but have gone through a lot. And i believe awareness is the first step towards treatment. And there are people who are striving towards that but there is a long way to go.
Unfortunately there are some groups who focus on their own agendas and the real problems take a backseat. For example the Aurat March seemed like a progressive step and could have been used in a great way but it was not. Their were good messages but they were buried beneath the cheap stunts of some groups because of whom the actual problems of our society were overshadowed. So yeah, we need to play a responsible role in the society and it will start from each person. And this group itself is a heavily male dominated forum and if everyone of the posters starts to respect their fellow females and treat them right Pakistan can go a long way.
Unfortunately here alone there are a number of misogynistic posters who do not realize the amount of deep rooted sexism they posses but it is a reflection of our society as a whole i guess.
Ok i am done with my thesis.
