Stand with the women
IN a perverse way, there is a silver lining to the moral panic that afflicts authorities and conservative segments of society alike every year in the run-up to Aurat March on March 8, International Women’s Day.
For therein lies clear evidence of the hostility that exists in much of society to the notion of equal rights, even more so to women themselves reclaiming the public space to demand these rights and denounce patriarchy. And that is why women march, to push back against this hostility in a powerful demonstration of their collective voice — the voice of women from all walks of life: working women, housewives, trans women, in purdah and otherwise.
This year, the Lahore deputy commissioner has taken the lead in opposing this exercise of democratic rights. She has refused permission for the Aurat March to be held in the city because of security concerns, ‘controversial’ placards and banners supporting women’s rights, and the possibility of clashes with members of Jamaat-i-Islami’s ‘Haya March’.
As is their wont, the authorities are getting the wrong end of the stick, deliberately. It is their duty to provide protection to the marchers instead of preventing them from exercising their fundamental right to participate in a peaceful rally — far more peaceful, it must be pointed out, than many of the hate-filled demonstrations that cause mayhem on the streets time and again with impunity.
However, even though it is but one day in the year that the women in this country have to claim as their own, when they can participate with the rest of the world in the call for gender equality, Aurat March participants are met with threats of violence by the religious right each time. And there is deadly intent behind these words.
Marchers have been manhandled, pelted with stones, even falsely accused of blasphemy with doctored photos and videos. Not only has no one been punished for putting the women’s lives at risk, but it is the targets of the conservative rage that have been castigated for ‘provocative’ slogans, principal among them being the very reasonable right to agency over one’s body.
What kind of twisted mindset considers it ‘unseemly’ to demand a right that is violated every time a woman is sexually harassed, raped, or subjected to domestic violence?
Over the past several years, despite strong resistance from religio-political parties and unelected pressure groups, parliament has passed several pro-women laws. However, a patriarchal mindset coupled with bureaucratic apathy ensures that implementation remains patchy.
It is high time the people’s representatives put their money where their mouth is and stopped pandering to misogynistic elements.
For starters, those trying to create obstacles to prevent Aurat March from taking place must be told in no uncertain terms that the government stands with the women.
Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2023
Gloomy outlook
PAKISTANIS are not unfamiliar with the boom-and-bust cycles that occur every few years, or the large costs they impose. But the present crisis has lingered far longer than they expected, with no resolution in sight. Starting as a balance-of-payments crisis caused by the post-Covid global commodity supercycle and the previous government’s pursuit of growth, it has now overtaken every sphere of the economy. The government and the central bank have lowered the GDP growth for the present financial year to below 2pc, while many experts believe the country is more likely to post negative growth for the second time after the pandemic-hit FY20. The summer floods destroyed standing crops on large swathes of agricultural land across the country, especially in Sindh, and industrial output is shrinking thanks to factory closures resulting from restrictions on the import of raw material and equipment to save our dwindling foreign currency reserves and delay a sovereign default. The increase in interest rates to contain price inflation, which soared to an all-time high of 31.5pc last month, is putting a crushing burden on the finances of companies, and the slowing global textile and clothing demand has led to a significant drop in exports. The construction industry, too, is groaning under rising prices of inputs such as steel and cement. Businesses are closing operations or cutting production and laying off workers to save costs.
The near-term outlook is far gloomier than what the nation has witnessed in the last 75 years. Many are predicting that recovery from the present crisis will be slow and painful for everyone, even if the elusive IMF funding programme comes through and other multilateral and bilateral lenders step up to help Pakistan in these times of economic distress. What is sad is that our politicians and policymakers are refusing to see or admit the implications of their disastrous past and present policy choices for the economy in general and the vast majority of people, who are struggling to adjust to crushing new realities, in particular. The resistance to basic market reforms needed to secure foreign funds and put the economy on the recovery path are still being ignored for political reasons, with businesses demanding subsidies and concessions to recover their profitability at the expense of the common people. Little wonder, no lender is ready to help us unless we start helping ourselves.
Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2023
Afghans’ misery
WHEN one thinks of the people of Afghanistan, it is impossible not to be consumed by a deep sense of pessimism. Living in the shadow of war and broken governance for decades, generations in our neighbouring country have been repeatedly disappointed by those who have vowed to find solutions. Last week, a senior UN official highlighted that Afghanistan remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis this year, notwithstanding the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria. The situation is abysmal; girls have been gradually withdrawn from schools by the Taliban and not allowed to return. Women are kept out of the workplace. Though women have been allowed to teach, and partake in the medical field to provide services, they are only allowed to do so in the presence of a mahram. Despite the international community’s criticism and pressure, the Taliban’s outlook on women’s rights remains unchanged. Worse, the effects of climate change and economic difficulties have plunged Afghans further into turmoil, with 28m people now dependent on aid for survival. As GDP falls, food costs rise and unemployment increases, families are left to spend most of their earnings on food.
Every report coming from Afghanistan paints a picture of suffering, neglect and despondency. What is the future of Afghanistan, when the hopes of its people and their abilities to work towards a better life are crushed? The international community, and especially countries like the US, must remember why Afghanistan is in this sorry state, and continue to provide assistance to its people at any cost. The Taliban are stubborn, but this must not discourage rights organisations and political leaders from attempting a breakthrough by constantly reminding them of human rights. The Afghans have suffered for far too long, and have faced the harshest realities of war. There is no clear solution to their misery, and certainly no shortcut, but consistent engagement, support and pushback are critical to give Afghanistan’s people some hope.
Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2023