Source: CCTV.com

02-09-2007 19:07

In Pakistan, a country deeply influenced by Islamic culture, women are not always treated equally, especially working women. Luckily for them, the Pakistani government says it'll do more to help them, and to give them equal rights. In today's Working Asia Series, Shaukat Khattack from Geo TV brings us this story on women in Pakistan.

Mubarik Bibi, a wrinkle-faced woman with hopeless eyes is struggling for a better future. She knits straw-made baskets to earn her living. And despite all the hard work, her income is insufficient to meet the daily needs for a family of eight. Like her neighbors, her family is lacking the basic facilities of life. Moreover, the river poses severe threats to their lives, as every year floods wash away their straw-made homes.

Mubarik Bibi said "Our children live in a very unclean environment. We have no jobs, no education, and little money to pay for health and other daily needs. Our whole life is spent in tents, facing rains and floods, and at the mercy of God."

Mubarik Bibi belongs to a poor Keehal community that has been living on both sides of the Indus river for centuries. Ironically, they don't have citizenship rights and the government remains ignorant of their problems. According to Keehal’s traditions, women are supposed to work, and the male members of their family shall remain at home, smoking or gossiping with friends.

After a long day of hard work, she earns only one US dollar, which is not sufficient for her family. And ultimately she is compelled to beg in streets. Keehal women beggars face sexual harassment in the streets which are seldom reported to authorities.

Unlike Mubarak Bibi, another woman named Farhana from the North Western Province faces life's difficulties very boldly. Her husband died four years ago leaving Farhana alone to look after her four children. And she faces the possibility of not being able to continue her school teaching job.

Farhana said "Hard times and challenges made me brave. My children are often scared but thanks to God, I am strong enough to look after them."

The incidents concerning the violation of women's rights in Pakistan are frequent. Women are killed in the name of traditions like honor killing or Karokari. Under this tradition, women are forced to marry some one among the family's enemies in order to reconcile differences. Thus, she will face a lifetime of revenge in her husband's home.

Estimates show that women of Pakistan are around 50 percent of the total population of one hundred and forty million. Some 20 percent of Pakistan's women work out in the fields while most of them work in agri-lands or are home-based.

Some believe that women should stay at home with their families. Other moderate groups favor women's economic participation but with out mixing with men. However, religious group leaders oppose this idea.

The Government of Pakistan has pledged to boost the number of women in the work force, which is currently about 20 percent. Due to increasing literacy and rapid urbanization women are entering into professions like business, information technology and other social sectors. Furthermore, the present government has increased women's seats in the legislative assemblies to 33 percent.

Nilofer Bakhtiar, advisor to Pakistan PM on women affairs, said "Our government has initiated different projects for women development. You can see women heading different multi-national. Further, our government created jobs opportunities for women in police and airport security forces. You can see women representation in each governmental institution. We have fixed ten percent quota for women in higher civil services."

Due to the changing perception of women’s role and status and their access to open employment opportunities, women are increasingly challenging the status quo in Pakistan's male dominated society.

Well that's all for our Working Asia series, a special treat by Asia Today for a brand new year. During this month, we've covered stories ranging from Child and Women Laborers, Migrant Workers to Training and New technologies in the region. Hope you've enjoyed them. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us at "Asiatoday@CCTV.com". Your feedback is quite welcome.

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan