Pakistani society is double faced in its views towards women. On one end, women are deemed to be the cornerstone of attention. They are given utmost importance in nurturing and developing the institutions of marriage and family.
However, on the other end they are regarded as secondary citizens. They are deprived of even fundamental rights. They are discriminated and exploited in the male chauvinistic society. The women degradation in our society is unfortunately becoming a tradition, which is spreading its tentacles wider and wider.
The women are oppressed at different fronts. They are subjected to domestic violence by their fathers, brothers or husbands. If they stage a legal action against any of their relatives, their testimonies are considered partially reliable and valid. In addition, women are also worse off in the Pakistani law. The government and the judiciary have failed to develop concrete measures to counter the violence against the women. Women are treated as reckless objects. Recently in the face of having an increased awareness about their rights to fight oppression, the violence subjected on women has increased.
Therefore, in the midst of this ongoing women violence, there is a dire need for the human rights activists to step in to ensure freedom and equality for the women. The support of the international humanitarian agencies is considered inevitable to enable Pakistani women to break away from their reins, and take charge of their lives. It will also ensure creation of a sound and balanced society.
AIYZA JAVAID
Lahore
