Gloria Steinem, world-renowned
feminist, journalist and activist once explained "The story of women's struggle
for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to
the collective efforts of all who care about humankind.
International Women's Day is all about unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy
and action - whatever that looks like globally at a local level.
The world has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both
women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many
from a younger generation may feel that 'all the battles have been won for
women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and
ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater
equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's
visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think
that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are
still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not
present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's
education, health and the violence against them is worse.
The Charter of the United Nations, signed in 1945, has helped to create a
historic legacy of internationally-agreed strategies, standards, programmes and
goals to advance the status of women worldwide.Over the years, the UN and its
technical agencies have promoted the participation of women as equal partners
with men in achieving sustainable development, peace, security, and full respect
for human rights.
Achieving a gender-equal world requires social innovations that work for both
women and men and leave no one behind. From urban planning that focuses on
community safety to e-learning platforms that take classrooms to women and
girls, affordable and quality childcare centres, and technology shaped by women,
innovation can take the race for gender equality to its finishing line by 2030.
It begins with making sure that women’s and girls' needs and experiences are
integrated at the very inception of technology and innovations.
Quaid-e-Azam said in a speech in 1944, “No nation can rise to the height of
glory unless your women are side by side with you; we are victims of evil
customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the
four walls of the houses as prisoners.”
Women empowerment refers to the ability of women to transform economic and
social development when empowered to fully participate in the decisions that
affect their lives through leadership, training, coaching consulting and the
provision of enabling tools for women to lead within their communities,
religions and countries.
Women empowerment generally has three components. firstly, women's sense of self
worth. secondly, their rights to have a power of control their own lives ,both
within and outside home. lastly, their ability to influence the direction of
social change to create a just social and economic order nationally,
internationally and universally.
Empowerment has multiple, interrelated and interdependent dimensions: economic,
social, personal and political dimensions. Economic empowerment means to empower
women economically by giving her rights of properties. lands, financial
responsibilities, adequate shares in jobs, business opportunities etc. In social
dimensions, it means women's social status should be uniform to that of man by
avoiding all discriminations based on injustice and inequalityand must
understand the difference between equality and uniformity. Accordingly the women
are required to have respectable status in society, importunity to raise voice,
struggle etc. They should be given equal liberty and freedom in their personal
affairs, such as ,in case of marriage, vocational pursuit etc .As a whole, women
empowerment aims at providing women with their social, economic, political and
personal rights.Different laws have been passed for women likeThe Protection
against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act(2010),Prevention of Domestic
Violence Act(2008) and Hudood Ordinance(1979) but their implementation is the
real task.
In Islam the importance of women and their success as human beings, is measured
with completely different criteria: their fear of Allah and obedience to Him,
and fulfilment of the duties He has entrusted them with, particularly that of
bearing, rearing and teaching children.Nevertheless, Islam is a practical
religion, and responds to human needs and life situations. Many women need, or
wish, to work for various reasons. For example, they may possess a needed skill,
such as a teacher or a doctor. While Islam does not prohibit women working
outside her home, it does stipulate that the following restrictions be followed
to protect the dignity and honour of women and the purity and stability of the
Islamic society, the conduct of women, after all, is the backbone of any
society.
Pakistan is listed as 101in the Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) list of women
in national parliaments out of 193 countries for 2019. The only positive
development thus far has remained the relatively large representation of women
in parliament in comparison to other countries. Currently, there are 70 women
Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) in Pakistan – 60 on reserved seats, nine
on general and one on a minority seat. This makes up for 20.46 percent of the
total representation of women in the House of 342.The political growth of a
country requires both male and female participation in the government affairs.
Last Women’s day in Pakistan has been pathetic and somewhat vulgar due to
certain groups and foreign funded NGOs.Feminism holistically is a good concept
but it is needed to understand the difference of Liberal Feminism and Radical
Feminism.Liberal Feminism talks of women empowerment and other pertinent issues
but Radical Feminism only talks of conflict and negativity.The role of media was
also not seen constructive but nonsense posters and obscene slogans were
reported.Government must take strict notice about vulgarity and
sensationalism.Women esteem must never be compromised but their humility for
vested interests must also not be allowed.