A lot of questions arise in our mind when we think of discrimination against women. Are there no issues relating to women discrimination? Do women not face any problems on the basis of their gender? Are women treated fairly in our society? Do women have equal acceptance in our society? Does a woman have equal opportunities, facilities and rights in our society? Do women have power of decision-making in our society? Are there no social or cultural barriers for women? Do women not face violence? Do women not struggle for their basic necessities? Do women receive proper health care? Do women have equal right of education as compared to men? Are there no problems for women at workplace? Do women have marriage rights? In my opinion the answer to all these questions is more or less a ‘No’.
On the flip side, is women discrimination a historical problem? Is women discrimination a problem present in every country? Are women treated just as a commodity? Are women suffering from our cultural norms? Is a woman’s mobility restricted? Is there no serious action on women harassment? Are there women who are unaware of their basic rights? I think the answer to all these questions is ‘Yes’
If we talk in positive context we can say that in modern world women participate equally in society. Women have the ability to perform with equal skills and success as compared to men. There have been many moments and laws to support women rights like Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly. Thanks to many such legislations and efforts of rights activists now women are able to attend schools, colleges and universities in the same number as men. Women have also entered into male dominant professions like law, medicine, army and air force etc. Women who get support of their families are able to perform much better in society. In our society there are countless women who have outperformed even men in various fields due to their hard work and support of their families. For instance Arfa Karim who became the world’s youngest Microsoft certified. Sharmin Obad Chinoy is the first Pakistani women who got Oscar award. Benazir Bhutto was the first woman Prime minister of Islamic world. If we provide supportive environment to women then they can contribute a lot to society and help in country’s development and prosperity.
Komal Tariq
Lahore