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Finally got around to collecting and organizing the criminal level of issues Pakistani women are faced with.
In lieu of Aurat March and every day in this country,here is a thread on why we NEED women focused feminist advocacy and activism:
In lieu of Aurat March and every day in this country,here is a thread on why we NEED women focused feminist advocacy and activism:
1/ The Global Gender Gap Index ranks Pakistan as the 3rd worst country in the world based on political empowerment,economic participation,educational attainment and health and survival.This is below Saudia Arabia and Iran.
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2020.pdf
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2020.pdf
2/ In fact yet another index measuring 11 similar indicators,including societal and legal discrimination,community safety and IPV,found Pakistan to rank 164 out of 167 countries.
WPS-Index-2019-20-Report.pdf ( http://georgetown.edu )
WPS-Index-2019-20-Report.pdf ( http://georgetown.edu )
3/ According to a Human Rights Watch estimate,70-90% of women in Pakistan have suffered some form of abuse.
https://jpma.org.pk/article-details/1372#:~:text=According%20to%20an%20estimate%2C%20approximately,physical%2C%20mental%20and%20emotional%20abuse
https://jpma.org.pk/article-details/1372#:~:text=According%20to%20an%20estimate%2C%20approximately,physical%2C%20mental%20and%20emotional%20abuse
4/ The 2017/18 DHS for Pakistan revealed 28% of women aged 15-49 had experienced physical violence by a huband/stranger.
40% men and 42% women agree wife beating is acceptable under certain circumstances.The proportion of such men is an increase from 34% in 2013.
40% men and 42% women agree wife beating is acceptable under certain circumstances.The proportion of such men is an increase from 34% in 2013.
5/ 3% of pregnant women reported having a miscarriage,abortion or health problems due to violence during pregnancy.
Divorced, separated, and widowed women are more likely to have experienced physical violence (41%) than currently married women (27%).
Divorced, separated, and widowed women are more likely to have experienced physical violence (41%) than currently married women (27%).
6/ Physical violence is also greater amongst women who are employed but not paid than those who are unemployed or employed and earn.
80% of reported perpetrators are husbands and 17% by mothers or step mothers.
80% of reported perpetrators are husbands and 17% by mothers or step mothers.
7/ Further 20% of women aged 15-49 who have been married at some point report their husband getting angry if they talk to other men while 10% report not being allowed to meet female friends.
Out of the women who do seek help ,only 1% seek legal/police help,majority go to family.
Out of the women who do seek help ,only 1% seek legal/police help,majority go to family.
8/ A 2015 study on Intimate Partner Violence in Pakistan shows individual reports of sexual violence as high as 77%,physical 50% and psychological at 90% in women.
Intimate Partner Violence in Pakistan: A Systematic Review - PubMed ( http://nih.gov )
Intimate Partner Violence in Pakistan: A Systematic Review - PubMed ( http://nih.gov )
9/ Violence against women is so commomplace here that Lisa Hajjar,in her article on DV in muslim societies categorises abuse against women in Pak to be “endemic in all social spheres”.
Yes,even “DHA privileged liberal aunties that aren’t the *real suffering women* “are not immune
Yes,even “DHA privileged liberal aunties that aren’t the *real suffering women* “are not immune
10/ A 2005 study exploring men’s attitudes towards DV in Khi interviewed 176 married men.
46 % said men had a right to hit their wives.
65% had seen their own mothers being beat.
Attitudes of Pakistani men to domestic violence: a study from Karachi, Pakistan - ScienceDirect
46 % said men had a right to hit their wives.
65% had seen their own mothers being beat.
Attitudes of Pakistani men to domestic violence: a study from Karachi, Pakistan - ScienceDirect
11/ Regarding mariral rape,rarely regarded as a crime in Pakistan,openly normalized and justified by vile religious figures( see F*rhat H*shmi)and society alike, a 1999 report on 70 men aged 25-45 showed 54 to admit to having non consensual relations with their wives.
41 out of the 70 admit to be prompted to kill their wives if she had extra marital affairs.
All admitted to shouting and yelling at their wives,even when pregnant.
https://jpma.org.pk/article-details/3089?article_id=3089
All admitted to shouting and yelling at their wives,even when pregnant.
https://jpma.org.pk/article-details/3089?article_id=3089
12/ Yet another 2003 study conducted in Isl and Rawalpindi,filled by 216 married women,showed a staggering 96.8% to have experienced some form of domestic abuse,while 46.9% report being raped by their husbands. https://www.mangobaaz.com/marital-rape-is-not-your-fault
13/ Pakistan does not have any specific law explicitly criminalising marital rape,a 2006 amendment merely extended the definition of rape to non consensual sexual intercourse with “a woman”,removing the phrase “a woman who is not his wife”.
14/ A 2009 study taking 152 women at two different hospitals found a positive correlation with lack of reproductive control(ability to choose spouse etc),marital rape and depression amongst women.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Naveed-Janjua/publication/40044496_Association_of_various_reproductive_rights_domestic_violence_and_marital_rape_with_depression_among_Pakistani_women/links/00b7d523a899bbcf9b000000/Association-of-various-reproductive-rights-domestic-violence-and-marital-rape-with-depression-among-Pakistani-women.pdf?origin=publication_detail
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Naveed-Janjua/publication/40044496_Association_of_various_reproductive_rights_domestic_violence_and_marital_rape_with_depression_among_Pakistani_women/links/00b7d523a899bbcf9b000000/Association-of-various-reproductive-rights-domestic-violence-and-marital-rape-with-depression-among-Pakistani-women.pdf?origin=publication_detail
Plugging in this tweet of a refuge for women in Karachi,one of our most populous cities,with mental health issues and those beaten and disposed by their in laws and husbands.
Our men and society have no understanding of women’s humanity/domestic violence. https://twitter.com/thesedcat/status/1367475605122539523
Our men and society have no understanding of women’s humanity/domestic violence. https://twitter.com/thesedcat/status/1367475605122539523
15/ According to Madadgar Helpline, a painstaking 93% of women in Pakistan have experienced sexual violence in public places.
56% of the calls fo them are from women,13% from men.
This,it notes,is only 10% of the reported cases. https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/tribune.com.pk/story/1348833/93-pakistani-women-experience-sexual-violence%3famp=1
56% of the calls fo them are from women,13% from men.
This,it notes,is only 10% of the reported cases. https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/tribune.com.pk/story/1348833/93-pakistani-women-experience-sexual-violence%3famp=1
16/ A Dawn survey of 300 women on workplace harassment found 35% were told to remain silent by their colleagues and seniors.
Medical students reported their bodies being rated by male peers,blackmailed by teachers over grades and promotions if they rejected sexual advances.
Medical students reported their bodies being rated by male peers,blackmailed by teachers over grades and promotions if they rejected sexual advances.
In 2017, PML-F’s Nusrat Abbasi was propositioned by PPP’s Imdad Pitafi to come to his chambers for a “satisfactory response” in response to a Q she asked.
This was met with laughter from other members in the assembly. https://www.dawn.com/news/1395215
This was met with laughter from other members in the assembly. https://www.dawn.com/news/1395215
17/ Similar experiences of harassment are echoed in online spheres with the FIA reporting 8,500 complaints by women in 2018/19 and only 19.5% investigated.
Lacklustre and dismissive responses from the male dominated agency are abundant. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/22/online-harassment-women-pakistan#
Lacklustre and dismissive responses from the male dominated agency are abundant. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/22/online-harassment-women-pakistan#
18/ Infact @DigitalRightsPK which runs a cybercrime helpline,first and only if it’s kind in Pakistan,reports 40% of around 4,500 calls to be from women.
Blackmailing,explicit content photoshopped onto ones pictures and disgusting vitriol all disproportionately affect women.
Blackmailing,explicit content photoshopped onto ones pictures and disgusting vitriol all disproportionately affect women.
19/ Since 2015,22,000 cases of rape have been reported in Pakistan,the majority coming from Punjab,which is a greater indicator of reporting hurdles in less developed provinces.
11 cases of rape reported every day.
Conviction rate is 0.3%. https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/www.thenews.com.pk/amp/743328-about-11-rape-cases-reported-in-pakistan-every-day-official-statistics-reveal
11 cases of rape reported every day.
Conviction rate is 0.3%. https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/www.thenews.com.pk/amp/743328-about-11-rape-cases-reported-in-pakistan-every-day-official-statistics-reveal
20/ According to Karachi based ,War Against Rape(WAR),90% of incidents of violence,murder,kidnapping,child marriages,child abuse and rape were against women and children.
Beginning of 2020 saw a 200% inc in this,only time be higher due to COVID. https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/www.globalvillagespace.com/conviction-rate-in-rape-cases-under-3-in-pakistan-report/amp/
Beginning of 2020 saw a 200% inc in this,only time be higher due to COVID. https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/www.globalvillagespace.com/conviction-rate-in-rape-cases-under-3-in-pakistan-report/amp/
21/ According to a HRCP,15,222 cases of honour killings took place in Pakistan b/w 2004-2016.
In 2014, 837 murdered were women and 75 were minors.
https://nchr.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Final-Report-Honour-Killing.pdf
In 2014, 837 murdered were women and 75 were minors.
https://nchr.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Final-Report-Honour-Killing.pdf
22/ In Pak’s patriarchal society,women are deemed property of their men,commodities who must maintain the honour of their families.
She has no personal choice to marry,wear what she wants,participate in public spaces but that dictated by her owners.
https://www.af.org.pk/pub_files/1366345831.pdf
She has no personal choice to marry,wear what she wants,participate in public spaces but that dictated by her owners.
https://www.af.org.pk/pub_files/1366345831.pdf
23/ To this end,Qandeel Baloch is a name all of us know.
Murdered by her own brother for her sultry online content that “disrespected” her family which,if you read her biography,had no issues taking her money from her “disrespectful work” to feed themselves.
Murdered by her own brother for her sultry online content that “disrespected” her family which,if you read her biography,had no issues taking her money from her “disrespectful work” to feed themselves.
24/ ASF Pakistan reports 56% of acid attacks victims of 1375 cases b/w 2007-2016 to be women.
In 2016, 7/10 of 73 victims were women.
Main reasons are rejection of marriage proposals,extension of DV,jilted lovers.
http://pakrtidata.org/2018/02/28/pakistan-acid-attacks-decrease/
In 2016, 7/10 of 73 victims were women.
Main reasons are rejection of marriage proposals,extension of DV,jilted lovers.
http://pakrtidata.org/2018/02/28/pakistan-acid-attacks-decrease/
25/ To one of the issues closest to my heart,reproductive justice.
According to the same DHS Pak,only 43% of women aged 15-49 can ask their husbands to use a condom while 54% can deny sex,both figures greater for women with higher wealth and education.
https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR354/FR354.pdf
According to the same DHS Pak,only 43% of women aged 15-49 can ask their husbands to use a condom while 54% can deny sex,both figures greater for women with higher wealth and education.
https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR354/FR354.pdf
26/ Contraceptive use by married women remains stagnant since 2012 at an abysmal 26%.
The most popular methods are female sterilisation and male condoms(9% each)
Only 19% women are informed about the quality and side effects of contraceptive methods.
(Same DHS Pak survey)
The most popular methods are female sterilisation and male condoms(9% each)
Only 19% women are informed about the quality and side effects of contraceptive methods.
(Same DHS Pak survey)
27/ 52% of currently married women(15-49) have a demand for family planning,19 % for spacing birth and 33% for limiting births.
Yet only 34% are using contraceptives for the latter two actions.
There is a greater unmet need for family planning in rural areas & among younger women
Yet only 34% are using contraceptives for the latter two actions.
There is a greater unmet need for family planning in rural areas & among younger women
28/ For currently married women not using a family planning method,16% of this decision was made solely by the husband while 9% made it themselves.
16% men(15-49) agreed that women who use contraceptives become promiscuous.
There is a dire need for cont. use to be destigmatised.
16% men(15-49) agreed that women who use contraceptives become promiscuous.
There is a dire need for cont. use to be destigmatised.
29/ In 2002,there were about 2.4 million unintended pregnancies and 900,000 resulted in induced abortions.
Due to lack of safe methods of abortions,200,000 women were then hospitalised for complications and 1/10 died.
The no hospitalised is only 1/2 of those who need to be.
Due to lack of safe methods of abortions,200,000 women were then hospitalised for complications and 1/10 died.
The no hospitalised is only 1/2 of those who need to be.
30/ The average age for a woman having an abortion is 30,while most are married and already have more kids than intended,one study averaging this to be 4.
Studies also show that the education level of such women is the same as the general female population.
Studies also show that the education level of such women is the same as the general female population.
31/Due to vagueness around the law/hostility towards abortion access,most women have to resort to lethal back alley methods without trained doctors.
This results in hemorrhages,perforations to their vagina,sepsis and may leave the woman entirely infertile.
This results in hemorrhages,perforations to their vagina,sepsis and may leave the woman entirely infertile.
32/ Studies show unsafe abortions to account for 11-15% of all maternal deaths. This may only be the tip of the iceberg due to the silence and lack of reporting around women who have abortions and lack of proper access and post-care. https://www.guttmacher.org/report/abortion-pakistan#
33/ Despite Islam allowing abortions to upto 120 days after conception,women in Pak are routinely murdered in back alleys and by their own family for demanding crucial healthcare.
A doctor reports seeing a woman shot outside a clinic after begging for an abortion.
A doctor reports seeing a woman shot outside a clinic after begging for an abortion.
34/ Heartbreaking stories of being married as a child and raped over and over,made to abort when it’s a female and made to carry when it’s a male should not have to be told to demand safe, legal and informed access to abortions.
@diaahadid https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/11/28/661763318/why-the-abortion-rate-in-pakistan-is-one-of-the-worlds-highest
@diaahadid https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/11/28/661763318/why-the-abortion-rate-in-pakistan-is-one-of-the-worlds-highest
35/ 8/10 urban births were delivered in health facilities while 6/10 of rural ones only.
This lowest in Balochistan.
24% of births are still attended by Dais(unskilled attendants).
36% of women also don’t receive any post natal check 2 days after delivery.
(DHS Pak)
This lowest in Balochistan.
24% of births are still attended by Dais(unskilled attendants).
36% of women also don’t receive any post natal check 2 days after delivery.
(DHS Pak)
36/ Regarding issues accessing healthcare,67% reported atleast 1 prob.
Largest(58)% didn’t want to go alone.
42% had distance issues.
30% had financial issues.
21% reported getting permission as the main issue.
Women(15-19) are more likely to report atleast 1 problem.
(DHS Pak)
Largest(58)% didn’t want to go alone.
42% had distance issues.
30% had financial issues.
21% reported getting permission as the main issue.
Women(15-19) are more likely to report atleast 1 problem.
(DHS Pak)
37/ Infanticide and female feticide are both huge probs in Pak.
Due to financial constraints,stigmatisation of children born out of wedlock as “harami” and strong son preference,babies are thrown in dumpsters either alive or dead. http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/1/14/infanticides-on-theriseinpakistan.html
Due to financial constraints,stigmatisation of children born out of wedlock as “harami” and strong son preference,babies are thrown in dumpsters either alive or dead. http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/1/14/infanticides-on-theriseinpakistan.html
38/ In one case,a mother of a 17yr old suffocated a baby born out of wedlock with a pillow,doused the body in kerosene and disposed of it in a dumpster.
Edhi Foundation reports having buried 1,300 such babies in 2013 alone. http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/1/14/infanticides-on-theriseinpakistan.html
Edhi Foundation reports having buried 1,300 such babies in 2013 alone. http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/1/14/infanticides-on-theriseinpakistan.html
39/ In yet another case,a married mother of 2 was forced to undergo a risky pregnancy by her husband because the fetus was a male,despite warnings from doctors abt her health.
The woman then passed away.
Greed for a son led a man to murder a living human being.
The woman then passed away.
Greed for a son led a man to murder a living human being.
40/ Such outrageous preference for sons not only takes women’s lives but has added to Pak’s sex selective abortion trend.
B/w 2000-2014,1.2 million pregnancies have been aborted due to the sex of the fetus,skewing our sex ratio at birth to 110 male births to female ones.
B/w 2000-2014,1.2 million pregnancies have been aborted due to the sex of the fetus,skewing our sex ratio at birth to 110 male births to female ones.
41/ Desires to have an inheritor,looking at the female sex as inferior and as liabilities exist in every strata of Pak society.
Edhi Foundation estimates 90-95% of abandoned babies after birth to be girls.
For every boy left,7 newborn girls are left at Edhi.
Edhi Foundation estimates 90-95% of abandoned babies after birth to be girls.
For every boy left,7 newborn girls are left at Edhi.
42/ Women’s Action Forum(WAF) member recounts the story of a Hindu woman pre partition made to parade naked on a donkey with a garland of black shoes around her neck for giving birth to a girl.
Today,Dr Shakira Parveen says,70% of couples are unhappy at the birth of a girl.
Today,Dr Shakira Parveen says,70% of couples are unhappy at the birth of a girl.
43/ Philanthropist Bilquis Edhi recounts the story of an 8-month old daughter burned alive with her mother for the crime of birthing a daughter,yet again.
While the mother died,the daughter lived.
Sadly,for many girls and women,that is not the case. https://www.dawn.com/news/1352104
While the mother died,the daughter lived.
Sadly,for many girls and women,that is not the case. https://www.dawn.com/news/1352104
44/ An utterly in acknowledged issue in Pak is that of child genital mutilation.
We have no law criminalising FGM as of today despite it being practiced in the Bohra community in parts of Sindh.
It has no religious basis and is done for “purification” reasons.
We have no law criminalising FGM as of today despite it being practiced in the Bohra community in parts of Sindh.
It has no religious basis and is done for “purification” reasons.
45/ Carried out in girls aged 6-12,the inner and outer labia are cut with the training flesh sewn together.
It has no medical benefits and leaves the women scarred mentally and physically. https://www.sochwriting.com/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-talk-about-female-genital-cutting-in-pakistan/
It has no medical benefits and leaves the women scarred mentally and physically. https://www.sochwriting.com/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-talk-about-female-genital-cutting-in-pakistan/
46/*remaining
Dowry,lavish amounts of property and money,demanded by the groom’s side of the family has led to brides being murdered/tortured by in laws/husband in infamous stove deaths.
More than 4000 women have been doused in kerosene and set fire around Isl alone.
4% survive.
Dowry,lavish amounts of property and money,demanded by the groom’s side of the family has led to brides being murdered/tortured by in laws/husband in infamous stove deaths.
More than 4000 women have been doused in kerosene and set fire around Isl alone.
4% survive.
47/ Progressive Women’s Association reports on these women being b/w 18-35 years and 30% being pregnant.
With little to no burn centres in Pak,and families bribing police to label these stove deaths “suicide”,most women get no justice. https://womensenews.org/2002/10/pakistans-fiery-shame-women-die-stove-deaths/
With little to no burn centres in Pak,and families bribing police to label these stove deaths “suicide”,most women get no justice. https://womensenews.org/2002/10/pakistans-fiery-shame-women-die-stove-deaths/
48/ Pakistan’s constitution only awards the husband with the unilateral right to divorce.
The woman gets this ONLY if this is delegated by the husband of all people in the Nikkahnama.
She does have the right to a khula,which usually takes away her right to haq mehr after.
The woman gets this ONLY if this is delegated by the husband of all people in the Nikkahnama.
She does have the right to a khula,which usually takes away her right to haq mehr after.
49/ Unlike reforms to Muslim Family Law Ordinance of 1961,no developments have been made regarding laws pertaining to Christian/Hindu/Parsi communities,marginalising the women further.
50/ Under the MFLO,men in Pak(as allowed by religion) are entitled to polygamy under the following conditions:( all unjust/demeaning to women especially given that this is not reciprocated for wives).
This has facilitated exploitation of wives and adds to their disposability.
This has facilitated exploitation of wives and adds to their disposability.
51/ Inheritance is a greatly under-looked issue inmainstream discussion.
As is,diff sects have diff provisions for women inheriting,specially with no male heir.
With brothers,a woman is legally entitled to half his share on the sole assumption that he has a greater econ burden.
As is,diff sects have diff provisions for women inheriting,specially with no male heir.
With brothers,a woman is legally entitled to half his share on the sole assumption that he has a greater econ burden.
52/ Today,women in Pak share not only the financial burden for raising families,not given their Haq mehr,isolated from owning and managing lands.
There remains no reason for discrimination in inheritance.
(48-52 is taken from a Know Your Rights handbook by Shirkat Gah Centre)
There remains no reason for discrimination in inheritance.
(48-52 is taken from a Know Your Rights handbook by Shirkat Gah Centre)
53/ There are no laws for alimony/financial maintenance/access to property acquired during marriage for wives despite their contribution to it.
Men have the ability to throw women out,already dependant on husbands for financial support..
Men have the ability to throw women out,already dependant on husbands for financial support..
54/...Further only 2% own lands and 6% have accounts in formal banking institutions.
Cultural constraints hold them back from participating in the workforce,they are often misled and raped at false pretences of offering work. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2160220/6-financial-protection-upon-divorce
Cultural constraints hold them back from participating in the workforce,they are often misled and raped at false pretences of offering work. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2160220/6-financial-protection-upon-divorce
55/ DHS Pak further reports on 72% men owning houses but only 3% women in Pak.
And only 49% of married women with cash earnings independently controlled their earnings.
Married women are also much more likely to not be paid(13 % vs 1%).
And only 49% of married women with cash earnings independently controlled their earnings.
Married women are also much more likely to not be paid(13 % vs 1%).
56/ Women’s access to the net and financial resources is abysmal too.
Only 39% own phones compared to 93% men.
Pak has the highest cell phone ownership gender gap in 15 countries hence,with 300 million fewer women accessing internet from phones. https://www.dawn.com/news/1538756
Only 39% own phones compared to 93% men.
Pak has the highest cell phone ownership gender gap in 15 countries hence,with 300 million fewer women accessing internet from phones. https://www.dawn.com/news/1538756
57/ The Labour Force Survey 2017/18 reports greater unemployment within women in both rural(5.9% vs 4.7%)and urban areas(17.5 % vs 5.6%).
DHS Pak also reports only 19% married women to be employed compared to 98% men in 2017/18.
DHS Pak also reports only 19% married women to be employed compared to 98% men in 2017/18.
58/Even within employment,women are underrepresented as managers,technicians and sales workers while making 67% of those employed in agriculture/hunting/fishing aka *laborious* fields.
59/ Pak has the highest overall hourly wage gap out of 73 countries at 34%,double the global average.
Women make up 90% of the bottom 1% of wage earners.
Mothers earn less than women who do not have children. https://www.ilo.org/islamabad/info/public/pr/WCMS_651658/lang--en/index.htm
Women make up 90% of the bottom 1% of wage earners.
Mothers earn less than women who do not have children. https://www.ilo.org/islamabad/info/public/pr/WCMS_651658/lang--en/index.htm
60/ The avg monthly wages of men are overwhelmingly greater than those of women,even in fields where there are more women.
As managers,women only earn around 9% of what men earn.
As managers,women only earn around 9% of what men earn.
61/ The same survey also shows women to make only 0.1% of employers but nearly 52% of contributing family workers(read unpaid workers).
https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//Labour%20Force/publications/lfs2017_18/Annual%20Report%20of%20LFS%202017-18.pdf
https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files//Labour%20Force/publications/lfs2017_18/Annual%20Report%20of%20LFS%202017-18.pdf
62/ Infact a study on 647 women from Mansehra aged 20-39 found women to spend nearly 16 hours working at home,with those who enter the labour force STILL working 8/9 hrs at home.
Only 0.5% reported their husbands helping.
https://healthbridge.ca/images/uploads/library/Pakistan_summary_report_final.pdf
Only 0.5% reported their husbands helping.
https://healthbridge.ca/images/uploads/library/Pakistan_summary_report_final.pdf
63/ The same study goes on to estimate an economic value for the monumental no of hrs of unpaid labour women do.
Excluding looking after the ill,planning meals,tutoring children,women spend 328 hrs monthly on household chores,amounting to Rs 4000 roughly.
Excluding looking after the ill,planning meals,tutoring children,women spend 328 hrs monthly on household chores,amounting to Rs 4000 roughly.
64/ Forced religious conversions are an issue our society refuses to believe in to deter any criticisms on the religious lot.
According to Aurat Foundation,1000 women/girls are abducted,converted and married off each year in Pak.
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-artslaw/ptr/ciforb/Forced-Conversions-and-Forced-Marriages-in-Sindh.pdf
According to Aurat Foundation,1000 women/girls are abducted,converted and married off each year in Pak.
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-artslaw/ptr/ciforb/Forced-Conversions-and-Forced-Marriages-in-Sindh.pdf
65/ Former chairperson of HRCP notes 20 Hindu girls to be abducted and converted by force daily.
The average age of these girls is 12-15 years.
Once kidnapped,they are often trafficked or sold to prostitution.
Many are coerced into stating they will fully married.
The average age of these girls is 12-15 years.
Once kidnapped,they are often trafficked or sold to prostitution.
Many are coerced into stating they will fully married.
66/ Pakistan has the 6th highest no of women married before 18,at 1,821,000.
18% of girls have been married before 18 compared to 5% of boys.
4% have been married before the age of 15.
A third of married girls aged 15-19 are married to their first cousins
https://atlas.girlsnotbrides.org/map/pakistan/
18% of girls have been married before 18 compared to 5% of boys.
4% have been married before the age of 15.
A third of married girls aged 15-19 are married to their first cousins
https://atlas.girlsnotbrides.org/map/pakistan/
67/ Ironically,beliefs that it is better to marry girls off to avoid illicit and haram relationships prioritise the fact that one is actually committing a crime and lending their daughter to a lifetime of abuse.
68/ Periods remain taboo in rural and urban areas of Pak,pads being sold in brown paper bags,women reprimanded for talking about them online or in person,told to hide their periods during Ramadan not eat infront of the men.
Society still sees menstruating women as dirty.
Society still sees menstruating women as dirty.
69/ According to a UNICEF survey,half of Pakistani women don’t know about menstruation before their first period.
28% reported missing school or work due to stomach pains or concerns over stained clothes.
Less than a fifth of women use sanity’s pads according to local charities.
28% reported missing school or work due to stomach pains or concerns over stained clothes.
Less than a fifth of women use sanity’s pads according to local charities.
70/ Hajra Bibi,who works with an NGO in NorthWestern Pak,speaks of women not being able to dry their used cloths out of fear of immodesty,creating breeding grounds for bacteria.
Many share rags leading to urinary infections. https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/medicalxpress.com/news/2019-09-myths-menstruation-pakistan-period-taboo.amp
Many share rags leading to urinary infections. https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/medicalxpress.com/news/2019-09-myths-menstruation-pakistan-period-taboo.amp
71/ A laughable hypocrisy in Pak is the emphasis on a woman’s right to wear hijab,burqa and even niqabs regardless of what country she’s in.
But within our own society,we celebrate women being forced to cover up alone while men roam in shorts *above their knees*.
But within our own society,we celebrate women being forced to cover up alone while men roam in shorts *above their knees*.
72/ From Bacha Khan university banning jeans for women alone but allowing the men to wear pants,to University of Peshawar also similarly mandating women alone to wear shalwar kameez,it seems modesty and cultural dresses are bestowed upon women in Pak alone.
There is no choice.
There is no choice.
73/ And who can forget Faisal Bank,mandating it’s female employees only to show up in hijabs and loose clothing.
Not a few days later,one of its managers was caught grabbing a female employees butt.
Eh modesty no restraint to harassment? https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/propakistani.pk/2020/10/23/faysal-bank-mandates-hijab-and-loose-dresses-for-all-female-employees/amp/
Not a few days later,one of its managers was caught grabbing a female employees butt.
Eh modesty no restraint to harassment? https://www.google.com.pk/amp/s/propakistani.pk/2020/10/23/faysal-bank-mandates-hijab-and-loose-dresses-for-all-female-employees/amp/
74/ At a 2015 Summit on Education and Development,Pak was described as one of the “world’s worst performing countries on education”,with 22.5 million children out of schools.
32% of primary school age girls are out of school & 21% of boys.
By 6th grade,59% girls are out,49% boys.
32% of primary school age girls are out of school & 21% of boys.
By 6th grade,59% girls are out,49% boys.
75/ Only 13% girls are in school by 9th grade.
Poverty,fear of kidnapping and harassment and beliefs that girls education is a useless investment drive more girls out of school.
Many also send boys abroad but not girls for higher education. https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/11/12/shall-i-feed-my-daughter-or-educate-her/barriers-girls-education-pakistan
Poverty,fear of kidnapping and harassment and beliefs that girls education is a useless investment drive more girls out of school.
Many also send boys abroad but not girls for higher education. https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/11/12/shall-i-feed-my-daughter-or-educate-her/barriers-girls-education-pakistan
76/ A 2011 study on sex work in Pakistan across 15 cities found nearly 89,178 female workers,7.2 per 1000 men.
55% were based in Khi/Lhr.
Men who gladly pay for such services then have the balls to call women names for dancing and singing on OUR streets. https://sti.bmj.com/content/89/Suppl_2/ii29
55% were based in Khi/Lhr.
Men who gladly pay for such services then have the balls to call women names for dancing and singing on OUR streets. https://sti.bmj.com/content/89/Suppl_2/ii29
77/ Would like to end this thread on the note that I could STILL GO ON but it’s 4 am and my hands are tired.
I still haven’t discussed public immobility,lack of access to streets,mosques,parks,dhabas.
Inability to drive.
Discrimination in sports at school and professional level.
I still haven’t discussed public immobility,lack of access to streets,mosques,parks,dhabas.
Inability to drive.
Discrimination in sports at school and professional level.
78/ The vomit worthy vitriol thrown at women/feminists all year around especially during March.
The dismissal from folks with differing political parties.
The lazy yet common characterisations of Aurat March not being for *real women empowerment*.
It is all so exhausting.
The dismissal from folks with differing political parties.
The lazy yet common characterisations of Aurat March not being for *real women empowerment*.
It is all so exhausting.
79/ Religious zombies aside,even progressive crowds shun the entire march and movement citing mind bending reasons of not acknowledging their favourite politician,having that 1 demand,providing a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.
You are all silencing an ever crucial platform.
You are all silencing an ever crucial platform.
80/ For me and thousands of Pakistani girls and women,this is a voice we’ve never had.
It stands alone as an advocate for women,not those standing outside and calling us dogs for marching.
Feminists are going nowhere,might as well listen to us now and work with us
It stands alone as an advocate for women,not those standing outside and calling us dogs for marching.
Feminists are going nowhere,might as well listen to us now and work with us
*aren’t
