Entangled in a confounding war where the killer is your own next door neighbor and hit by several devastating natural calamities within the last 15 plus years, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has survived an extremely dark period. Innocent people suffered years of relentless pain and agony with no end in sight. The radicalization and the exacerbation of the patriarchal practices during this time resulted in the unfortunate subversion of the progressive Islamic trends which in turn manifested in a brutal clash within the regional culture for which the women have paid a very heavy price.
Only through a resolute and clear denunciation of the reactionary ideology inherited from the political conundrum and the distorted narrative of East vs West, can the men and the women of this region rise from the ashes of war and claim their rightful status and respect as the proud members of a society living in harmony with its traditions and environment.
The strength, aptitude and the perseverance of the women of this region has been molded by the traditions of the region and of the religion, and not despite of them. Striving for a society which caters to its women’s ability to assert their rights and provides for their unique needs and sensibilities is not a new innovation, rather it is an exercise in going back to our basics.
Father of our nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah, stated unequivocally his vision for the women of Pakistan, "I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with men. No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men. There are two powers in the world. One is the sword and the other the pen. However there is a third power stronger than both, that of the women.”
Provision of education, health, security and pursuit of excellence in the profession of one’s choice are inalienable rights. Societies need governments to establish such systems and institutions which can deliver these rights for all of their citizens especially for the ones rendered vulnerable among them.
A focus on human development and the pursuit of equal rights through gender mainstreaming, may not translate into the glittering megaprojects which catch the eye however, they remain the indispensable underpinning of any society which thrives, innovates and achieves, and whose people live in harmony with nature and their beliefs.
The public-private partnerships being harnessed to address the gender perspective through recruitment, management and structural changes backed by targeted training within the Law and Order Department, traditionally a difficult sector for the women as workers as well as the recipients of security and justice, is one of the highlights of the mandate driven government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The positive feedback generated through such initiatives are expected to have a domino effect which can help reduce the hurdles faced by women from a very young age, starting with, but by no means limited to, a quality education. A desired change in the mindset reinforced by positive experiences is the only recipe to generate the energy and cogency required to achieve the inclusive and sustainable development desperately needed in Pakistan.
by webmaster@insaf.pk (tkiadmin)
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