Who stops Pakistani women to Vote ?
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| A women cast her vote in a polling station |
Who stops Pakistani women to Vote ?
Women's suffrage ( is the right of women to vote and to run for office) has been achieved at various times in various countries throughout the world. In many countries women's suffrage was granted before universal suffrage, so women (and men) from certain classes or races were still unable to vote, while some granted it to both sexes at the same time. According to a timeline lists years when women's suffrage was enacted in various places.
Pakistan declared independence on the 14th of August 1947. In 1956 right to vote extended to national level, previously only literate women could vote, yes according to Constitution of Pakistan women can vote, they have equal rights - but in certain areas men do not allow them to go outside of the house to cast their vote. Women may face two distinct barriers to exercising their right to vote. First, costs of participation may be too high. Traditions or cultural stereotypes may discourage the exercise. Second, women may have fewer or poorer sources of information about the significance of political participation or the balloting process. women are often not registered as voters because they face opposition from male household heads and that female turnout is low because women lack knowledge about the electoral system and about voting. wish to read more, click here.
Women constitute for more than fifty percent of the population of Pakistan. Their participation in the elections is vital to ensure election of right candidate. However if one looks at the women participation in the past elections a sad reality comes to light that their participation has been less than expected. The women in urban areas have to some extent participated in the elections and casted their votes however the percentage has been quite low. Even the highly educated women often stay away from casting their vote. In the rural areas the situation is even worse. Either the women do not cast their votes at all or they act on the advice of the male members of the family. This way often not so deserving candidates get elected and deserving ones lose. The low voter turnaround among women voters is further highlighted by the fact that in 2008 elections average male voter turnaround in the country was almost 49.8% while in women voters it was almost 39.7%.
Women really want to go outside but they're not allowed to. They are dependent on men. In big cities it is different but in some areas, traditions are very strong so they can't.
There are two very different realities. There are women who have become prominent figures in every field of life. They are ministers, members of national and provincial assemblies and political leaders, but on the other hand, there are other women who are the most oppressed class of society. There are many areas in the country where women are deprived from their right of casting votes including Mardan, Shangla and other area like Mianwali. A modern history states that elders and religious leaders attempted to prevent female participation by threatening punishment against tribesmen whose women registered, leading to under-registration in the female population. In 2008, the Taliban ordered women in the FATA regions of Bajaur, Kurram and Mohmand not to vote under threat of "serious punishment," while Mangal Bagh, chief of the Lashkar-e-Islam, forbade women to vote in the Jamrud and Bara subdivisions of the Khyber Agency. Not only in KPK or tribal areas wherever we have feudal system or have a low or no literacy rate women not allowed to poll.
watch the video
A very good article to read about women polling, click here to read.
Dear readers, please feel free to write your comments as well as your suggestion to increase percentage of women voters in Pakistan.
Women's Portrayal in Media
Women's Portrayal in Media
From our childhood we are exposed to media. When we grow older, we pay attention to media for cues on behavior.
Often, television is listed as the main source of information for
today's youth . This presents an alarming problem for
females. The ways in which they are represented in the media, especially
on television, can lead to the continuing oppression of women and the
continued belief that they are objects of male satisfaction (this image
is especially pervasive in advertising).
There are television shows that are more positive toward women, and
there has been progress made. The 1970s especially saw more feminist
oriented programming. However, the 1980s saw an immense drop in such
shows. Right now it seems that for all the progress made, some images
still persist. These images are most often seen in advertising. And
these images are some of the most detrimental of all. As people watch
media portrayals of women, they develop an idea of how women should be,
of what they are. It's not just men that see these images and learn from
them; women also interpret the messages as directions on how to behave.
Now media objectify the women in masses as physical objects that can be looked at and acted upon-- and fail to
portray women as subjective beings with thoughts, histories, and
emotions. Objectification becomes an issue when it is frequent, and when people are commonly presented only as objects and not as subjects as well. When we see an image of a woman who is presented passively, and who
demonstrates no other attributes aside from her physical or sexual
being, that's objectification. Here are some contemporary examples of women who are commonly (although not always) portrayed as passive objects to be enjoyed exclusively as physical beings:- The female models in Deal or No Deal, whose function in the show is to look pretty and to remain passive until the moment the host allows them to "open the case"
- Sexualized images of women in music videos
- Pinup posters of sexualized models
- College girls in Girls Gone Wild videos
- Women in pornography
- Waitresses at Hooters.
Its not too late, we can handle the problem with sincere efforts and result oriented measures as I read about a workshop about women's portrayal in Media.
In this workshop which is held by Uks Research Centre, on 17the July 2012 in Islamabad, a group of nearly 25 journalists belonging to print and electronic media a consensus was made at the conclusion of the workshop that;
Media has played a positive role in highlighting the plight of women. However, in many cases, it has been irresponsible and fostered negativity, suggesting that there is a need to sensitise reporters, editors, program directors and media owners. for more click here.
The participants agreed that the media should respect the right to privacy and maintain professional standards while reporting on women issues.
Media is the best thing that has happened to our country, however it should be ethically responsible considering the social consequences,”
said Sachet Executive President Dr. Rakhshanda Perveen.
Pakistani women in Asian Championship
Pakistani women in Asian Championship
There is no doubt that Pakistani women are really really talented in all parts of life even in sport fields. Now two young Pakistani females prove it again that they have a lot to show, now the world will see their talent in Asian Championship and the field is very masculine
" Karate".
Beenish Akbar and Kulsoom will become the first female karate
players to represent Pakistan in a continental tournament after they
were named in the eight-member squad for the Asian Championship.
Pakistan Karate Federation president Mohammad Jehangir, said, " "These women have a lot of talent and we are here to promote them. We have taken a huge step but I have realistic expectations. They are talented and will benefit from the experience and exposure."
In South Asian Karate Championship held in New Delhi, Kulsum winning two gold, a silver and bronze medal and Beenish Akbar claiming two gold and a bronze medal. On arrival from New Delhi a member of the Pakistani squad said ; "The female members were ecstatic as well and appreciated the work put in by the coaching staff that yielded the positive result."
Pakistani people and Pakistani sports officials specially should appreciate them and Pakistani media should bring these two talented female in light, so the others also get inspiration and young girls involve themselves in sports and parents dont stop them to do so.
Women have the Nation's future in their hands, Support them.
Power Women Fighting For Women's Issues
Power Women Fighting For Women's Issues
We always keep our eyes on the toppers, no one bothers to know who helped them to climb the ladder or who is behind the show. The Power Women list honors women who've reached the top. But what of those who have made it their mission to make power accessible to other women?
Here i try to bring those names in the light who have made their mission
to empower the other women. Mention here just few amazing women out of so many.
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| Molly Melching |
1. Molly Melching
is the founder and executive director of Tostan (meaning "breakthrough" in the Wolof language), a Non-Governmental Organization
(NGO) whose mission it is to empower African communities for
sustainable development and social transformation in the respect of
human rights.
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| Melanee Verveer |
2. Melanee Verveer
Melanne Verveer is Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Vital
Voices Global Partnership, an international nonprofit that supports
emerging women leaders in building vibrant democracies and strong
economies. click here for more
| Somaly Mam |
3. Somaly Mam
Somaly Mam is the recipient of the First Roland Berger Human Dignity Award.
Universally recognized as a visionary for her courage, dignity,
ingenuity, and resilience, Somaly was honored as one of Time Magazine's
100 Most Influential People of 2009 and was featured as a CNN Hero. click here for more.
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| Catherine Hamlin |
4. Catherine Hamlin
Catherine Hamlin, an Australian ob-gyn who has spent her career in
Ethiopia caring for women with obstetric fistulas and revolutionized
fistula. If you want to know more about Catherine, click here.
5. Sakena Yacoobi
Sakena Yacoobi, an Afghan woman who educates girls in her country and struggles to improve health care there.
Professor Sakena Yacoobi co founded CHI and is
President and Executive Director of the Afghan
Institute of Learning (AIL). Yacoobi founded AIL in 1995 to provide teacher training to Afghan women,
to support education for boys and girls, and to provide health education to
women and children. Click here for more.
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| Zainab Salbi |
6. Zainab Salbi
Zainab Salbi, an Iraqi immigrant who started Women for Women
International and campaigns tirelessly on behalf of women's
rights.Zainab Salbi is the founder of Women for Women International and
served
as the organization's CEO from 1993 to 2011. She is the author of two
books.
This click will tell you more about zainab. |
| Esther Duflo |
7. Esther Duflo
Esther Duflo, a French economist at MIT who has had a vast impact on the study of global poverty – and of the women who endure it. 2009 MacArthur fellow Esther Duflo is pushing the field of development economics by studying specific causal relationships that lead to or perpetuate poverty. She looks at close-to-home issues: household behavior, education, access to finance and health. Esther Duflo takes economics out of the lab and into the field to discover the causes of poverty and means to eradicate it. |
| Roshaneh Zafar |
8. Roshaneh Zafar
Roshaneh Zafar, who started a leading micro finance organization in Pakistan, empowering women and boosting their opportunities. Ms. Roshaneh Zafar is the Founder and Managing Director of Kashf Foundation, Chair of Kashf Holdings and Founder of Kashf Microfinance Bank Limited based in Pakistan.Ms. Zafar is also the founding member of the Pakistan Microfinance Network and sits on the board of several NGOs and networks, including Women’s World Banking, Pakistan Microfinance Network and Kaarvan Crafts. for moreclick here.
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| Helen Gayle |
9. Helen Gayle
Helene Gayle, who heads CARE and before that was a leading light in the global fight against AIDS. Helene Gayle, who heads CARE and before that was a leading light in the global fight against AIDS.
Dr. Helene Gayle is president and CEO of CARE USA, a humanitarian organization with more than 10,000 on-staff. In 2010 alone, their 905 poverty-fighting campaigns in 87 countries reached 82 million people, more than half of whom are women. One of Dr. Gayle's biggest priorities at CARE is in empowering girls and women to bring lasting change to poor communities.
Who Killed Farida Afridi?
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| Farida Afridi, Co- founder of Women's Group in Pakistan |
Who Killed Farida Afridi?:(
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the killing of Farida Afridi, a social worker.
In a meeting held on Thursday, HRCP said:
“It is a matter of grave concern that the risks facing human rights defenders and those working to ameliorate the lot of marginalised segments remain very high across the country. HRCP is utterly shocked at the targeted killing of Farida Afridi, whose only crime was working for the uplift of women in an area where they need such help the most.
Farida, together with her sister, Noorzia Afridi, co-founded SAWERA. At a young age, the sisters chose to devote their lives to promoting women's empowerment and peace in the tribal regions of Pakistan. Despite this, that we should help them or praise them, our society do no give them the right to stay alive.
Our hearts go out to Noorzia and their parents, family and friends. We hope they get at least some comfort in knowing that Farida has already helped many, in her short life.
This incident once again highlight the level of brutalisation that Pakistani society has reached.
To read more about Afridi Sisters please click here.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, 1944 - 'Founding Father' of Pakistan said;
No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you; we are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live."
Rising Women of Pakistan
Rising Women of Pakistan
Around the world whenever any one talk about "women in Pakistan" the very first thought which comes along is violence, discrimination, basic rights' violation, gender subordination etc etc. Although it happens in some extents but there is a brighter side also.
Islam has declared equal status for man and woman as well as Pakistan's constitution. But the society we live in greatly violates women rights despite all these violations Pakistani women are successful to elevate their status in Pakistani Society with the help of some enlightened groups, some outgoing individuals and by the government.It happens just because of increase awareness about girl education among people.
Now in Pakistan women are every where e.g. schools, colleges, universities, offices, factories, hospitals etc. etc. they are students, workers, entrepreneurs, teachers, doctors, nurses, pilots etc. etc. There is no such field where a woman cannot work and Pakistani women prove that they are capable to do any thing despite all hardships they are facing from the society. These working women seeding a silent revolution in Pakistan. A silent social revolution taking place with rising number of women joining the workforce and moving up the corporate ladder in Pakistan.
They are doing everything from pumping gasoline and serving burgers at McDonald’s (MCD) to running major corporations. About 22 percent of Pakistani females over the age of 10 now work. Women now hold 78 of the 342 seats in the National Assembly, and in July, Hina Rabbani Khar, 34, became Pakistan’s first female Foreign Minister. “The cultural norms regarding women in the workplace have changed,” says Maheen Rahman, 34, chief executive officer at IGI Funds, which manages some $400 million in assets. Rahman says she plans to keep recruiting more women for her company.
Here are some statistics and data that confirm the growth and promotion of women in Pakistan's labor pool:
1. A number of women have moved up into the executive positions, among them Unilever Foods CEO Fariyha Subhani, Engro Fertilizer CFO Naz Khan, Maheen Rahman CEO of IGI Funds and Roshaneh Zafar Founder and CEO of Kashf Foundation.
2. Women now make up 4.6% of board members of Pakistani companies, a tad lower than the 4.7% average in emerging Asia, but higher than 1% in South Korea, 4.1% in India and Indonesia, and 4.2% in Malaysia, according to a February 2011 report on women in the boardrooms.
3. Female employment at KFC in Pakistan has risen 125 percent in the past five years, according to a report in the NY Times.
4. The number of women working at McDonald’s restaurants and the supermarket behemoth Makro has quadrupled since 2006.
5. There are now women taxi drivers in Pakistan. Best known among them is Zahida Kazmi described by the BBC as "clearly a respected presence on the streets of Islamabad".
6. Several women fly helicopters and fighter jets in the military and commercial airliners in the state-owned and private airlines in Pakistan.
Here's an interesting video titled "Redefining Identity" about Pakistan's young technologists, including women,
Newsweek Pakistan covers a story about 100 remarkable women of Pakistan " 100 Women who shake Pakistan" click to read. (must read)
If people have questions like, how is it possible? the only one answer is EDUCATION. If you agree please leave a comment.
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