Comments on: To be a feminist … in Pakistan

By: Khan Bhai

Khan Bhai — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:31:01 +0000

Having grown up in Lahore, I think one gets a dose of liberalism whether you like it or not. My grandmother use to say that we may call ourselves Sunni but our actions are those of Sufi. We go to darbars, we have our peer fakirs etc. But Masud things took a nose dive during Zias time. He imposed his views on the general populous while drinking alcohol in private. I am proudly feminist having a strong mother figure, a strong grandmother, sisters who are individuals with independent thought and careers.

So feminism lives in Pakistan but it need to be reiterated so to remind people what is really ours.

By: hindi

hindi — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:52:09 +0000

Ah, I was wondering when the customary comparison with India would happen. Besides what exactly is your point? You know about rapes and illegal abortions in India because these things get reported, they’re not covered up to create the illusion of being better (and “purer”) than everyone else!! Also, Ali,are you implying that India is some sort of benchmark that the land of the pure hopes to emulate? Everyone has their own set of problems,sometimes these problems may even be common, yet at the end of the day everyone devices their own solutions. That being said, your data about India may be correct, but it still has nothing to do with the topic being discussed. I hope you’re an exception rather than a generic Pakistani, because an out of context comparison with India shows a deep rooted self-loathing inferiority complex, coupled with a hatred for all of those who are different from you. If the majority of your countrymen/women think like you, then you are in-fact your own worst enemies, no need for external powers to weaken you…you’re self sufficient on that count!!

By: Nina

Nina — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:42:24 +0000

Mr.Masud Alam,Pakistan is a deeply misogynistic society .Your views are very one dimensional.Being a woman and having spent my adult life there ,I can safely say that the liberated ones exist in the less than one percent of our society.The majority that lives in the rural areas and cities have absolutely no voice,no rights and no value. Before setting out to write a ridiculous blog like this you need to venture out of our fancy little capital city !

By: Shahan Ali

Shahan Ali — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:07:21 +0000

I agree, the writer appears to have no clue regarding what exactly is feminism or feminist theory. But I feel slowly Pakistan is improving the laws for the protection of women which in turn, in future, will empower women. Currently, the women representation in the parliament is a good sign that in few years it has achieved 22 percent representation (agreed its peanuts!). Our target should be 50 percent representation in the parliament, which other countries such as Sweden, have achieved over a large period of time. With such equality, more laws can be made for the protection and empowerment of women.

By: abbastoronto

abbastoronto — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:02:42 +0000

I hope it is making Muslim men nervous. They have to give the women their rights under the Sharia.

By: Pradip

Pradip — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 10:22:10 +0000

You are a one pony show…abbas of Toronto. Get a horse or a cow or whatever, for goodness’ sake. Your cut and paste is making many nervous…

By: Nadya123

Nadya123 — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 19:28:09 +0000

I dont know where in Pakistan you grew up but I havent seen it. You are no where close to being a feminist, I doubt you even know what it means. Feminism is a collection of movement and ideologies that aim at defining, establishing and defending equal polictical, economic and social rights of women. No one in Pakistan is fighting for women to have more rights than men. Did you miss the news on Malala and the so many other news articles published on closing down of girls schools in pakistan, women aid workers getting killed and abused etc etc. Sure men face oppression too but that does not mean that women and men are equal in pakistan. Have you ever tried asking a women what its like? Its impossible to do anything without constantly being judged by men in our society, who limit our roles to being just housewives and care takers of men. We are hardly allowed to make our own decisions, dads, bothers and uncles consider it their right to decide for us. You need to go to the real Pakistan, to the villages where honor killing is normal practice, move your lazy behind and actually go see real women in Pakistan, talk to them, hear their stories…and you will know.

By: abbastoronto

abbastoronto — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 18:07:17 +0000

Every Muslim man obeys these laws.
He who does not is not a Muslim.

By: Singh

Singh — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:44:53 +0000

I read on, but wasn’t expecting the article to be so interesting. It is all real.

By: rukhsanashama

rukhsanashama — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 09:36:53 +0000

Please update your research Mr. Vicky. Domestic violence is the commonest form of violence against women. And please also know that violence is not only in physical sense, horrendous forms of violence against women happen in psychological and emotional sense (of course at home). and the research Aysha has quoted is actually an authentic research!