Malala! The girl that changed the world into a better place...

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” ― Malala Yousafzai, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

A significant portion of females worldwide are lacking decent educational programs: almost two thirds of the world’s 792 million illiterate adults are women. In 47 out of 54 African countries, girls have less than a 50% chance of completing primary school. In sub-Saharan Africa, the gender gap widens significantly at the secondary level of education, where around six girls are enrolled for every ten boys. In Nigeria, out-of-school female children of primary school age are estimated to be 5,753,795 and the net enrolment rate for primary education has fallen from 67.1% from 2006 to 56.2% in 2010.

The intense studies aiming at assessing the state of education of women are the motives of formulating future policies for providing educational services for women. The whole society will reap much benefit by investing in educating women: every 1 percent increase in the proportion of women with secondary education boosted a country's annual per capita income growth rate by about 0.3 percentage points. Educated women are more likely to participate actively in political roles and also more capable of resisting violence and poor traditions like female genital mutilation. Educated women are also more competent in terms of maintaining proper health of their children.

A girl who emerged in Pakistan, where only 40% of Pakistani women over the age of 15 can read and write, understood the previous facts and tried to overcome the oppression and enlighten her society. Malala Yousafzai lived in Mingora, Swat in Pakistan, where Taliban used to prohibit girls from attending schools. Malala refused to succumb to the restrictions of Taliban and used to write articles for a BBC blog under a pseudonym, Gul Makai, at the age of 11. Malala described thoroughly the destructive practices of Taliban and how they intentionally targeted girls’ schools, the thing that hampered Malala’s education. Malala’s international fame is attributed to a documentary produced by New York Times starring Malala and her father Ziauddin describing the suffering of the Pakistani people of Swat, and how Malala aspired to be a politician to help her society to overcome its crises especially education. Malala was identified later to be the author of the articles published on the BBC blog.

Malala acted relentlessly to promote the case of education of girls both nationally and internationally. She was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize and she managed to be the first winner of the National Youth Peace Prize in Pakistan. Despite her young age, she intended to set up the “Malala Education Foundation” whose mission is to aid the poor people of Pakistan to pursue their education. Malala was sinfully shot by Taliban assassin in her school bus, but luckily she received all sorts of care in Pakistan and was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham where she continued her therapy and recovered without any brain insults.

The incident of Malala’s assault was met by worldwide rage and was condemned in Pakistan. Malala gained support from different politicians and was allowed to give her speech at the United Nations in 12 July 2013 - dubbed as Malala’s day - as a support of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative, where she reiterated the importance of education for everyone “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first.”

Malala’s activism contributed to improving the state of female education in Pakistan. In December 2013, UNESCO and Pakistan launched the Malala Fund for Girl’s Education which would provide support for new educational projects for the Pakistani girls. In February 2014, UNESCO commenced Malala Funds-In-Trust for Girls’ Education in Pakistan to support better access, improved quality and safe learning environments for girls in the hard-to-reach areas of Pakistan.

The whole world shall learn from Malala. She offered her people commitment and dedication and she courageously faced death in her endeavor for achieving the education for herself and her peers. Malala has made what leaders and politicians failed to in many decades with her patience and vigilance. Thanks to Malala, the world would be a better place!

By Ahmed Magdi Youssef.

References

UNESCO Institute for Statistics in EdStats, 2011

Key Messages and Data on Girls’ and Women’s Education and Literacy. UNESCO April 2012.

Women Deliver, Facts & Figures. Girls Education.

Global Education First Initiative. Malala Day.

The Office of the UN Special Envoy for Global Education. Malala Day.

Adam B. Ellick, Irfan Ashraf. Class Dismissed - The Death of Female Education. New York Times Documentary.

UNESCO launches Malala fund for girls’ education. Daily Times February 08, 2014.

Pakistani Women: In search for genuine redeemer

Pakistan surpassed many countries by allocating women seats in parliament in 2002. Out of 342 seated in National assembly, women seats are reserved 72 that is the highest figure in South Asia. This is worth appreciating that such an initiative was taken by military regime that has never remained friendly with fair sex in the past.  The steps were taken in the face of changes in women's parliamentary representation across the world and since then gender balance in politics has become imperative to a nation's international image.
 

Simply allocating or increasing the seats of women in national or provincial assembly does not guarantee that women’s rights will be protected. It is welcoming that women are included into political realms of Pakistan. This will definitely increase women’s influence in politics. However, story in Pakistani politics is quite on the contraray. The inclusion of women into political realms has remained debatable in Media and society that empowering women through parliament was just window dressing to arrest the attention of world in the wake of 9/11 and it served no purpose to redress the grievances of marginalized strata of society I.e. Women. The reason why society is   skeptic about “women empowerment” is that mainstreamed political parties not elected democratically, but selected all women parliamentarians. If we cast glance on the women parliamentarians on reserved seats, we will come to know that all belonged to influential political families who have little knowledge about women living in remote areas.
 
It is widely believed that the system of quota delivers as a momentary special measure to attain gender balance in parliament, but it does not facilitate the genuine political empowerment and democratic participation of women. Some people have argued that women legislators are treated as mere rubber stamp devoid of any real political and economic power. Generally, it is believed in social and political circle that the system offers only symbolic representation to women. in preference to working on policy issues freely, the elected women through this system remain under obligation of the political parties, compared to the directly elected legislators who have their constituencies as their real power base. This thing, it is believed, comes into play in the power politics where political weight is associated with directly elected legislators compared to indirectly elected candidates or those elected on reserved seats.
 
Due to lack of knowledge and actual participation of women in political process, male chauvinist politicians  have awarded  great number of seats to their family members in order to strengthen  the of net their family-centric or dynastic  politics in the country. Ten years have elapsed since women are awarded reserved seats but no significant change in common women’s life has been seen so far. This truly reflects that women parliamentarians are mere dummy and have no power .Moreover, quota based parliamentarians enjoy little rights to influence the decision as they always remain under the obligation of their political leaders. Most of the women are reluctant to comment on women specific issue since it affects the public life of the male political leaders.f
 
The women in Pakistan comprise 52% of the total population and are leading miserable life .Therefore they require genuine redeemer to alleviate their sufferings. The oppressed women need justice and rights and if their gender fellows do not become their wound healer than it is futile to reserve more seats for women or setup ministries or departments. The issues are resolved by involving genuine people and genuine efforts not by cosmetic measures

Beggar girl....

Sony started cleaning the wind sheet of my car when my car stopped at the Traffic signal. Despite my frequent interdictions, she continued cleaning it.

“Hey, Hey! I do not have any money to give you! Off now, Girl!” I warned her.

“I know how to handle men like you. That’s why I am here. It is my art to siphon off money from guys like you Sahib Jee!” She smiled obscenely with an objectionable sign. My mouth, eyes and ears flew wide open, since I hadn’t heard such objectionable talk from a girl aging  below 15. I experienced the first incident of this type in my entire life.  For me it was a crying shame.

Who is responsible for this? Who spoiled her childhood?

I asked her to hop in the car to take her to the destination. But she refused to do so.

“Look traffic signal is going to green and my car won’t stop and you won’t get your money as well.” I warned her .

“Okay, but you have to drop me at next round about at my station.”

“Okay.” I said and opened door to let her in. She hastily sat in front.

I began asking “starter” questions to break the silence. What was her name? Where had she hailed from? Where did her family live? How come she professed this contemptible job? She didn’t answer anything except to tell me her name.

“What do you want? You jusy drop me at my Station!” She said moodily. She talked like professional.

“Look Sony, you have no idea how my heart is bleeding to see you in this condition. I see my younger sister in you. How could I do this to my sister? Please tell me your life story.”  I asked while changing the gears of car. “Okay but first take me to my location over there”. Pointing towards Bridge.

Sony is 15 . She resides under a bridge in Karachi where many children (girls and boys) gather round and loiter and have fun. The bridge also serves the purpose of the Beggary secretariat from where children under ages 10 and 12 receive directives from their Head Honcho. Without the consent of the head no children can think of beating a hasty retreat. Sony was here for 5 years and now she is supervising other children. Why don’t you run away from this hell? I asked Sony.

“Of No use Sahib!”

“Why?”

“The leader has strong relation with street thugs and policemen who easily spot and get us back to the begging. I tried many times to run off to go home, but each time I was nabbed by policemen”.

What did that bastard have to do with children?  

Sony looked much perturbed upon my question and she was looking back and forth, perhaps looking for leader.

What you looking for? I asked

Sahib! Go away don’t waste time. If the Leader saw me talking to you he would beat me hollow.

“Rest assured, Sony, You are with me right now, and no one can harm you in my presence.” My consolation didn’t work and she moved along with her bale laden on the shoulder.

“Look Sony you are just my little sister and I have gift for you and your friends.”

“What you have? I don’t need any gift from you!”She tried to open the door of the car but failed .

“I know what cunning purpose you male have behind this gift”

My jaw dropped down and I could sense the magnitude of her broken soul. Her face illustrated the life she led like a fading Rose beaten by Storms. Her countenance did not reflect the age she grew up too early and this was not her fault.

“Look, Sony! If you didn’t tell the truth, How will you  get away with  this hell-like life. Don’t you want those bastards to be punished who spoiled your and other children’s life? They kept you away from your family and everything you dreamed of” I tried to convince her.

She paused at the corner while turning towards Main Street and cast glance at me with incisive eyes as if she had had mercy upon me. She walked towards me with slow pace

.

“What you want to know?” She asked like grownup women would.

“Who did this wrong to you? Tell me how did you come here? Who spoiled your childhood?” I poured questions rapidly.

“I hate my life. I would pray for other children not to lead life like me. I had dream of playing with my fellows too in village but who knew that the fawn was always chased by hunter!” She said, biting her lower lips with frowning eyes.

“It was long ago when I went to fair held in the nearby town with my parents. This was my first visit and I was so excited to see the event. Many friends of mine kept telling me about the roller coaster, merry- go round- and Toys for girls, Bangles, henna. The entire village was decorated with Buntings …” She sighed for a moment. “I was completely lost in the rejoice of it. I lost the way and wandered back and forth. My parents searched me a lot but in vain. All of sudden an old man with cat- like moustaches and an ugly face approached me. He promised to take me home and gave something to eat.”

“Then  what ?” I asked.

“Next day I found my self in a congested room where many other children girls and boys  were sleeping  like animals.” Sony sighed for moment. “I cried a lot and missed mother a lot. Hearing  my voice he came inside the room and slapped me on my face with his hammer like hands”.

“What does he make you and the other children do?” I asked

“He is a rascal. He spoiled my childhood. I am just like his daughter but he did not spare me. All children, you see here, have to satisfy them sexually.”  

What?

“All children are given different task like begging at traffic signal, collecting food from houses while others work as sex toys for the lust seekers that they are. Beggar girls suffer - The way of giving money is very disgusting. They drop Money in their laps. when girls try to take money they grasp hands with their thighs.

Did you ever try to escape? I asked.

“What if I escape? My life is ruined now. no one would accept me at home. Though I tried to escape many times the Police officials caught me various time at Bus station and returned me here.”she said.

The life of begging children is in deplorable condition in Karachi. Countless children are leading miserable life like Sony. It is high time that the government arranged a mechanism to embrace those wandering children and have the concerned department send surveillance teams to spot locations where children are abused and put the culprits behind bars.

By Ashfak Siyal

To Farida, with Respect

Women in Pakistan are not safe. They have to encounter various difficulties in the society. Thinking of working in office is taboo, but there are daring girls like Farida Afridi, who sadly sacrificed her life for the cause of women. She was activist and assertive worker who rendered valuable service for national social organizations based in Khyber Pakhtoonkha. The Khyber Pakhtoonkha province is already riddled with cases where the condition of women is deplorable to say the least. 




Farida had received several threats from hardliners for a long time. She was adamant in her mission and didn’t care for such intimidation. She had in her veins the blood of a warrior and belonged to the daring race of women. One morning when Farida returned home from office, two motorcyclists restrained her on the way. They shot at her and killed her in broad daylight. 

This incident really cries shame on such fanatics. Civil society and Human rights organizations have condemned the despicable deed of these hardliners who wanted to silence women. They are, however, ignorant of the fact that their nefarious acts have brought millions of supporters of Farida to gather together at one platform.  The onus of responsibility lies on the government, which has failed in its duty to ensure the protection of women, their lives and rights. The organization I am working for is determined to unveil perpetrators and will keep staging its protests, rallies and the like until those on the wrong are given punishment. Such cowardly acts cannot cast down the hope and courage of women who work for the emancipation of other women. The Killing of Farida does is not tantamount to silencing women or oppressing their rights. This has given impetus to Thousands of Faridas, who wait to battle it out with courage. The sad thing is that incident took place in a region where women are highly revered and given high respect in the society. The fact that that very region has fallen prey to hardliners who do not want see women progressive and enlightened is very disheartening.

By Ashfak Siyal

Encountering Domestic Violence in Pakistan

Naturally formed feminist theories have always been a part of me. Yet, as a woman born and raised in Pakistan, I had the inherent inclination to accept the reality of prevailing gender biases and live with them. This changed forever the day I walked through the doors of AGHS Legal Aid Cell. As a non-governmental organization offering free legal aid to women, children, bonded labor, and religious minorities, the work of AGHS became deeply entrenched inside my consciousness. Indeed, after over five years of being in the United States, I returned to Pakistan in 2008 to re-join the efforts of the organization which truly shaped my personality as a woman.

While every citizen of the world has the right to life, liberty, and security, many women across Pakistan live without the guarantee of such rights. These women strive to be valuable members of their society, but need platforms from which they can throw away their shrouds of silence, raise their voice, and demand an end to social injustice. AGHS has been one such leading organization committed to ending violence against women and promoting women’s rights. As an intern, my rigorous discussions with eminent activists and regular visits to human rights institutions allowed me to not only learn from the experts in the field but also gain an insider’s look at the extent of the prevailing human rights issues inflicting the country.

Unlike many of my compatriots who adopted a more comprehensive approach to understanding the overall human rights situation in Pakistan, I was particularly struck by the issue of violence against women. In my curiosity to better understand the issue, I carried out an empirical study on the type, frequency, and perpetuating factors of domestic violence. As part of my research, I visited burnt units across the city and interviewed survivors of acid attacks and ‘stove-burst accidents’. Four-weeks of planning, researching, and interviewing, culminated in a publication in a leading newspaper. My study revealed that most of the female victims were burnt by their husbands or in-laws in the so-called ‘stove-burst accidents’. While many of the victims refused to report the perpetrator and claimed that the burns were due to manufacturing defects in the stoves, such claims were flawed on two bases. First, the areas likely to be burnt in a genuine stove accident were limbs and abdomen, but most of the victims were admitted with burnt genitalia. Second, the position of the victim in the family (usually that of a wife) suggested that women were not burnt by mere accidents but were victims of domestic violence. Based on this study, I concluded that women subjected to domestic violence continue to suffer and protect their perpetrators in order to guard their family honor and respect their chauvinist husbands. The prevailing cultural norms determined the fate of these women.

Attending college in the United States added a new dimension to my perspectives. The economics classes offered in a liberal arts environment encouraged me to intellectually challenge myself, ask questions that would allow me to understand local and international policy issues, and tirelessly pursue their answers. With regards to gender issues, it made me realize that in this era of rapid globalisation where countries are stratified based on their varying social and economic development levels, the issue of gender inequality seems to surpass the developing/developed world dichotomy. It is truly global in nature and no single social or economic index explains it. In fact, by shaping expectations of a trait that is either masculine or feminine, and associating innate characteristics with each gender, the global society as a whole tends to view men and women through the lens of gender stereotypes. This gender stereotyping in turn rationalizes the socio-economic subordination of women.

I believe that there exists a strong correlation between a woman’s employment and her socio-economic prospects. What explains this relationship is the manner in which a woman’s access to outside income influences her position in family and society. Indeed, an economically unproductive woman becomes subjected to marital intimidation, vulnerability, and dependence, and in the case of the unfortunate women in Pakistan, even close-to-death domestic violence. The prevailing notion among the contemporary policy advisers in Pakistan, however, is that domestic violence is triggered by cultural and religious factors alone. Yet, a comprehensive socio-economic analysis reveals that the issue has its roots in socio-economics. In retrospect, most of the domestic violence documented in my earlier study stemmed from arguments over money between a husband and a wife or a row between a wife and a mother-in-law regarding dowry (monetary gifts from the bride’s family).

I strongly believe that the most effective way to curb violence against women begins with the understanding of the perpetuating factors of domestic violence and then addressing them through effective policy making. It is with this motivation that I returned to Pakistan where 80 percent of women experience domestic violence. While my particular interest lies in women’s advocacy in Pakistan, my Master’s program in Gender and Social Policy at the London School of Economics has allowed me to gain a multi-dimensional and global perspective on the study of gender. Equipped with the necessary set of analytical and theoretical skills required to prepare for a career as a gender specialist, I plan to now leverage my in-depth knowledge and passion for gender equality and women’s empowerment to prevent violence against women.