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The past week was significant for Pakistani women as our Senate unanimously passed two pro-women bills which now specifically criminalise acid attacks on women and other anti-women customs such as wani and savara.
Subsequent debate, understandably so, has focused on how these laws will be translated into practical policies which in turn must be followed by concrete action. This legitimate concern is part of an effort to empower women as equal citizens. Likewise, there are a couple of NGOs working on raising awareness about women’s rights in domestic and public spheres and their portrayal in news media. Unfortunately though, what is often ignored is another aspect of media which has an equally important role, if not more, in perpetuating gender stereotypes.
The entertainment section of the media, our dramas, morning shows etc., is important because it creates and maintains ideas and stereotypes through a subconscious process. These messages are far more effective than any analyst preaching to viewers to “think” about women’s equal participation in all aspects of life. The most consistently popular talk-show on news channels still remains the one with a famous actor providing entertainment through his witty retorts while talking about serious issues.
In this respect, television dramas are an important tool to propagate gender equality. Yet even though the quality of Pakistani dramas has increased significantly after a 15-odd-year slump, they still haven’t become sensitised enough over the message they send about a woman’s domestic and public role.
One of the recent drama serials I watched this autumn was three seasons of a drama featuring a fashion designer from Faisalabad. In the series, there were minor story lines running parallel to the main plot which referred to established expectations from a woman in a relationship. The two male characters in the play cheated on their wives. Yet their mistakes were diluted as their wives were partially blamed for what happened. One woman was chided for not fighting hard enough for her husband as if he was a prized pet ready to follow whoever wanted him more; the second was advised to change her attitude towards her husband and be more polite and loving.
I point out this drama because there was no overt victimisation of women in it. The female characters in the serial were strong, independent and intelligent. Yet partial blame for both husbands’ infidelity was tacitly shifted to the wives. It would be still tolerable if this was part of the main storyline; there is a difference between contextual requirement and subliminal stereotyping. But in this case, blaming the woman served no purpose; it just reinforced the society’s mindset.
This problem of how women are projected on TV is linked to the prevalent glass ceiling in the management of entertainment television channels. Those women who have reached the top do what they can to change the trend. Sultana Siddiqui, for example, established a policy early on that no woman will be slapped in the dramas aired on the TV channel she heads. Moneeza Hashmi, as managing director of the state-run television in Lahore, ensured substantial programming aimed at women’s rights and gender equality. But after she left, the policy unfortunately seems to have disappeared.
For example, a couple of months ago, I witnessed a female character in a drama on the state-run TV verbally humiliating her husband’s personal assistant. Out of no where she called the assistant a derogatory name of a four-legged variety. That abuse, censored in western media, was aired on our state-controlled television during prime time programming!
In addition to absence of powerful women at decision-making levels, women-unfriendly programming is also a result of women’s self-perception.
On human rights day, I caught gender expert Dr Fouzia Saeed’s interview on TV. At one point when Dr Saeed spoke about how more women were now joining workforce in Pakistan, the lady who was interviewing her chipped in: “magar phir bhi, barkat to aadmi ki kamayee mein hi hoti hai” (but still, it’s the man’s income which is blessed). After a second of stunned silence, Dr Saeed politely asked her to refrain from such superstitions and the lady laughed off the matter.
But it is nothing to joke about. How can we hope to substantively change Pakistani women’s status if our channels are allowing women with archaic ideas to control discussions on television?
It is about time we become pro-active and start giving these channels our feedback. Their ratings, and thus revenues, are dependant on us which makes us their customers. Next time you witness something which is derogatory to women, whether it is a comment on a show or a scene in a drama, take a few minutes to search the channel’s email/postal address and write them a stern letter. Let them know we expect quality entertainment with affirmative action to change this overwhelmingly prejudiced set-up and we won’t settle for anything less. This could be our small contribution to try and change “business as usual.”
Bushra S is an editor based in Lahore and can be found conversing on twitter here.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
well said bushra. well said.
i would also like to highlight this morning show which chose to discuss how women with dark complexion are less privileged than fair women in our society. When the host was addressing that there should be no discrimination made on complexion and we should see the inner beauty, in her speech she referred to these women as "BECHARI behainay" (helpless sisters). I mean like really what is your agenda here to make people feel sorry for them or to see beyond their complexion.
seriously i think the host wasn't clear and had a prejudice already. and do you think such issues should even be discussed?
I really like this article. This is worthy of an editorial.
Start to end.
I could think of some Indian television dramas also required to be corrected, though the whole production house owned by a woman (Balaji Productions).
Cheers!
I agree with what you said in the article. We need to become more sensitive towards these issues.There is change in upcoming educated generation, they are aware of their rights and media has played a great role in it but yes you are right they need to do more.
commendable and well articulated Bushra. we can just do the best in our role as mothers/sisters/daughters or wives to take a stand for basic human rights, to reach anywhere beyond that would be a bonus. when men cannot treat women with the respect that any human being deserves, it is wishful thinking to expect more. I am only optimistic that we as a nation are taking a postive step and writers like you are critical to empowerment of women.
I am so glad that someone has brought the role of women in media to light. To use the morning shows as a medium to create more awareness is a great idea as so many women and young girls follow them regularly. Some policy as to the content and discussions in these shows should be made so that some serious issues could be talked about in a manner that more women could relate to rather than talking only about fashion, gossip and regular chit chat.
Bushra!!!! As a writer u are doing great job. keep it high world deserve writers like you. God bless you.
Lovely Writer
A beautifully composed essay and an excellent eye for detail and comprehension. Well done young lady.
I cannot say anything else except certain old adages take forever to die.
excellent article.keepup the good work.a nation which does not appreciate half of its population will never progress.
Well written and good points raised.
This is an excellent and very well written article! We never think about how the media, and especially these Pakistani drama serials (which many women follow religiously), portrays women through their characters. I would really like to see articles like this written more often by intellectually-conscious women and men. Thank you for a great read!
It is a really good article…but majority of our society is lagging behind….these things comes into ethics, and ethically we are weak enough but still we should try to give equal rights to women and respect them….
With most of your TV serials controlled by men,the women have no choice but to follow the script.Or they may be replaced.It is a question of economic survival.
I disagree because this is not entirely true. The drama mentioned in the article was scripted by Bushra Ansari herself…
True. I agree.But to whom was Bushra Ansari answerable to when she wrote the script.Who at the TV station dictated the terms.I am sure that she could produce the show without permission from above.
Wonderful article. I really agree. How can you let bubblehead talk show hosts like nida of ary digital and the one on hum 2 hamara show influence another generation of women. How can these very women inspire girls to empower themselves and speak up for their rights. However, their popularity with women is a hindrance to replacing them with more sensible people.
A delightful piece . To celebrate the passing of such laws is a touch premature because we know from experience that many legislators in Pakistan and most of the top decision makers sign up such enlightened instruments with such intentions without any serious thought given to them.
What is in these laws that is not explicitly stated in the international commitments that the Pakistani state is a signatory to.A few days ago there was a Woman's Rights Day. It said almost all what these laws say. What is there which the Muslim religion did not say a significant time ago.
Unfortunately the Mullah is unaware of it and Mullah is the one who preaches hell fire every day from the pulpit and most of our less educated citizens listen to him with respect.
Yes it is a step in the right direction and you are right, many of our anchors, who should know better are ignorant perhaps more so than the Mullah.
Our society is on the move but it needs more people like you to keep rattling the cage.
Good luck.