East or West, from the times unknown, for some unknown reasons, women have been perceived as weaker sex. This concept provided the opposite sex a chance to manipulate them, more than conserving their securities.
Shirley Chisholm, the first female of African origin to become a member of American congress, once said: ''The emotional, sexual and psychological stereotyping of females, begins when the doctor says, it's a girl''.
Imagine, the cultures and civilizations, which followed the heartless, practice of female infanticide. It is not a thing of the past, but something still prevalent. Where, technology is providing humans, better chances to live; there are few parts of the world, where it is helping people to violate female child's right of even breathing in the air, in shape of fetocide.According to a report by 'Rupee news'; Indians kill ten million girls right after birth.
What other rights, must have been granted to females of such countries, where they are denied the right to arrive in this world. The ancient custom of 'satti', where the widow of the deceased was forcibly placed on the burning pyre of her dead husband and was burnt alive, is still encouraged as a religious obligation.
Histories of the third world countries, including Pakistan are replete with stories of violence against women. Although, Pakistan is a Muslim country, follower of Islam; a religion which openly declared 'infanticide', a punishable crime and granted women, equal rights and respect, 1500 years ago. But the tragic thing is; the piece of sub-continent, now called Pakistan, was once a part of Hindu civilization. Therefore, many traditions of Hinduism have seeped into this land, along with brutal rituals of tribal ways of life.
These cultural influences, mixed with lack of education, extreme poverty, social frustrations and taboos give birth to situations, which contribute towards violence against women.
The unfortunate fact about Pakistan is; women are generally victimised by their own loved ones. Husbands, fathers, brothers, lovers, or in some cases, their own children. Who find ways to physically abuse, torture or torment them, by beating, burning, throwing acid and sometimes by honour killing. Women also have to suffer, sexual harassment at work and in society, along with domestic violence.
It is again unfortunate, that our country has brought out, legendary victims of violence, like Mukhtaran maaee, Malala yusufzai, etc. The pride of our country, the first female prime minister of the Muslim world, Benazir Bhutto, was killed in act of violence and hatred. The First Oscar award, our country received was due to a documentary, highlighting the abuse of throwing acid at women.
Generally, when such issues are being brought out into light in our country. Many of our patriotic Pakistanis, start speaking against the people, who draw the attention of the world towards such problems. At such a time, we need to understand, if we are not stopping this violence from spreading, it means, we are among its perpetrators too.
We are fortunate, our media projects such issues and is extremely helpful in making people aware of their rights. Then, why are we afraid of the exposure? Simply search at Google about violence against women and you will be surprised by the results. The ratio of violence against women is much more higher in the Western countries than in Pakistan. If they are brave enough to accept and acknowledge it, why should we act as cowards and eschew the reality.
It requires a change of the mindset. We have to make women, more aware of their rights as human beings. We need to make men aware of their rights too. If they remain oblivious of these, how are they going to respect women around them. This can only be done, by educating the masses. Spreading, moral, social and religious knowledge. Our entire country is in want of a psychological therapy in this regard, along with proper provision of work possibilities for men and women alike.
We cannot deny the fact that violence against women exists in our society. All this is happening around us. Better, accept the facts and make an effort to eradicate all this. Stop violence against women, if you see it happening around you. Many nations have passed laws against gender violation. As educated, responsible sensitive citizens, we must ensure, the laws which our country has against gender violation are implemented.
Accept that all the women in your lives are gifts of God, cherish their presence, love and respect them. Allow them to make their choices in life. Value them. Treat your girl child, equally well as your boys, if not better. Do not think, they are frail, rather make sure they become your strength.
And as Mathew Prior said, ''Be to her virtue, very kind. Be to her faults, a little blind'.
