Pakistan Succeeds when its Women Succeed By Shaziah Zuberi

Female economic empowerment is the most profound social change of our time. Women’s confidence is a life-enabler: professionally, intellectually, athletically, and socially. The idea of confidence as a choice opens doors in every direction. The temptation to say “I’m not good enough; I can’t do it” exists for every woman at some point, in some circumstance. Women don’t need to be stuck in that pattern of self-doubt. It’s a matter of pushing oneself to action over inaction, even in a man’s world.

The outlook for Pakistani women is complicated

Pakistan has been perceived as having an image problem. This is a kind way to say that the world sees us one-dimensionally as a country of terrorists and extremists, with conservatives who subjugate women.

Gaining cultural and political recognition, as well as economic equality, have been an ongoing struggle for Pakistani women. There is damning evidence that women are judged more harshly as compared to men. The reality of Pakistan’s women continues to confound easy categorization. Neither Pakistan’s laws nor its social codes or religious mores truly guarantee women a secure place as citizens equal in stature to men. Such a backdrop is not positive to creating conditions to facilitate female economic empowerment.

Imran and Reham as role models

Imran’s recent decision to marry the former BBC weather anchor, Reham Khan, attracted a lot of media attention. I believe his bold decision to marry a confident, liberated, and accomplished Pakistani woman will promote Imran’s progressive credentials as a staunch supporter of female empowerment in Pakistan.

Imran has always been an icon. Wherever he goes he is greeted by huge exuberant crowds, eager to catch a glimpse of him. A lot of his support is found among the youth and women in society. Imran’s decision to marry Reham is an affirmation of his core values of identifying with strong, positive female role models in society. By marrying a strong outspoken professional woman, he has identified with a marriage model in which both spouses contribute and build a strong foundation for their marriage and contribute to society, while challenging traditional concepts of a woman’s role in our culture.

What I greatly admire about Reham Khan is that she has already established a positive identity in light of her professional and personal accomplishments before she entered into marriage with Imran. Besides being an accomplished media figure, she has successfully raised three children with strong values.

Going forward, Reham has her work cut out for her. As Imran’s spouse, she has both an opportunity and a responsibility to be a role model for PTI supporters and women across the country. I wish her well in this challenge.

by webmaster@insaf.pk (tkiadmin)