OLD practices entrenched in people’s mind do not fade away unless serious efforts are made. In the 14th century, it was common in Ireland to give away women in exchange of cattle or food items. Satti, a Hindu tradition of cremating wife along with the dead husband, was prevalent for centuries until it was stopped by the British Raj. Pakistan, today in the 21st century, is plagued by practices that are incomprehensible and are grossly violative of human rights. The worst part is that they are accepted by many in society.

The government has created so many organisations for carrying out specific tasks. Unfortunately, the inhuman practices prevalent in society are massively ignored. It is suggested that a new body should be created with a mandate to cleanse the regressive mindset of society that encourages practices that snatch away human rights.

The proposed body can seek help of the media, hold seminars and sessions along with clerics, and arrange lectures in schools, colleges and universities. An effective campaign may be launched countrywide to highlight the evil effects of some of the inhumane practices in society and the need to eradicate them.

Honour killing should be presented as ‘dishonour’ killing because the perpetrator commits murder. Those against polio vaccination and who target the health workers should be convinced that the vaccinators deserve to be accorded respect as they make an effort to save children from becoming physically disabled.

The practice of wani in Sindh or swara in Pakhtun society, wherein even minor girls are given away to settle bloody disputes, should be stopped altogether. So should the practice of ‘marriage’ with the Holy Quran. Possession of due share in inheritance is the most effective way to make a woman secure financially. Girls’ education may be presented as a religious obligation, while the so-called faith-healers claiming to have ‘healing powers’ should be exposed publicly.

Such a campaign is expected to face strong opposition from the obscurantist elements in society. Only persons fired with a spirit to eradicate inhumane practices from society would ever constitute and manage such a body.

Sayed GB Shah Bokhari
Peshawar

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2022