Women are powerful agents of change, peace and security. Despite being under represented at the local
and national level they have been struggling to promote a culture of tolerance
and peaceful coexistence in Pakistan. The studies on war and conflict comprise
of different factors having profound importance but very less has been said
about the role of women in peace, reconciliation and security processes. This
paper attempts to explore; their efforts to devise strategies to counter
extremism through their actions and interaction with political, religious and
other communities; and efforts to bridge the gulf not only between secular and
religious leaders but also between those struggling for peace and those instrumental
in creating hate and intolerance.
Nearly 70 years after its independence, Pakistan is still facing numerous crises, combined with regional warfare and the international intervention in Afghanistan, its impact on Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan, military operations and the subsequent displacement of a large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, lack of technical and vocational education and social insecurities are the causes of extremism making Pakistan vulnerable to terrorism. These factors have fueled the religious extremism threatening the foundations of the state. The mass migration, internal displacement, rape, abuse and killings in conflict areas have received little attention and no help and support is available to the destitute women and their children.
Nearly 70 years after its independence, Pakistan is still facing numerous crises, combined with regional warfare and the international intervention in Afghanistan, its impact on Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan, military operations and the subsequent displacement of a large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, lack of technical and vocational education and social insecurities are the causes of extremism making Pakistan vulnerable to terrorism. These factors have fueled the religious extremism threatening the foundations of the state. The mass migration, internal displacement, rape, abuse and killings in conflict areas have received little attention and no help and support is available to the destitute women and their children.
Unfortunately these
issues have been neglected mostly in Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Tribal
Areas, which consequently provide fertile grounds for those who wish to recruit
men and women to their cause, particularly when monetary benefits are attached.
Furthermore, the drone strike if on one hand has increased anti - Americanism,
on the other, terrorists have used collateral damage to their advantage. Though
the drone strikes have been helping in eliminating some of the wanted diehard
militants, it also has been eroding the credibility of the government and army
because people lose trust in them, as institutions, that seem to have failed to
guard the country and its international borders.
Access
to education not only gives their young minds knowledge but also helps them
cope with the uncertainty that abounds in their every day life. In recent years
the sphere of religious education and institutions in Pakistan have gained
significant political and international dimension. In remote areas of Pakistan, parents
send their girls to female madrassahs to supplement the state-based education,
and in some cases to avoid the more dangerous public schools in these areas. ‘The
number of women attending these madrassahs is increasing as more facilities and
incentives are offered. In the 1970’s such schools were rare. By 2009 for
example, there were 1,900 registered all-female madrassahs, 15 percent of all madrassahs
in the country.’ Many of madrassahs (religious
schools) are the only opportunity available for educations; unfortunately, some
have been used as incubators for violent extremism. The curricula in all-female madrassahs are designed by men
with basic aims to educate and train girls to be ideal mothers, obedient wife
and ensure women preserve and
transfer conservative Islamic traditions and
beliefs to their offspring. Recognizing the power of women to convey values to
their children, radical elements use all-female madrassahs as a mechanism to
spread fundamentalist ideology, for example, in the case of Jamia Hafsa
seminary attached to the Red Mosque in Islamabad. In July 2007, students and
leaders in the Red Mosque confronted government forces in a violent weeklong
siege that killed more than 60 people.
The increasing wave of extremism and terrorism has grave impact on those women who have lost their family members in the ongoing conflict between the government and militants. It has a great psychological effect, which leads to negative feeling in the form of anger and a sense of deprivation due to the economic difficulties, which could prompt them to take extreme steps. The armed conflict has also given rise to trauma, depression and other psychological problems in the society. The people who have suffered or even closely witnessed suicide bombings are under constant fear, which affect their outlook towards life.
Cultural traditions, social practices, intensifying ideological religious and ethnic passion and low literacy have left women increasingly vulnerable. In recent times, women have been tortured and targeted for being educators, for holding important positions, for resisting discrimination and violence against themselves and their families.
Women are psychologically affected by several pressures to the point that some of them find no way out except suicide. In fact studies of the impact of gender based repression on women in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime found that 65 percent of women had considered ending their lives and 16 percent had attempted it. They listed the causes of their depression as the repressive Taliban policies which limited their mobility, employment and education opportunities and created a general atmosphere of fear and hopelessness. A suicide attack which took place on 25 December 2010, which killed 41 people waiting in line for emergency rations in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan show a glimpse of their frustrations.
Women have a crucial role to play in promoting harmony and peace. They are able to open the doors of dialogue and peace, during war and conflict. Despite rising insecurity and militancy in Pakistan, they have continued to struggle for promoting common values based on peace and tolerance, equal rights, protection from violence, and public participation. They are taking increasingly active roles as leaders in politics and civil society, where they are countering extremist ideology.
Although the increased presence of women challenges conservative ideology and social attitudes, women’s political representation will be of no significance if women become absent from public spaces due to fear of being attacked. Two of the province most affected by religious extremism, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the male community members and Taliban who consider female political participation against their culture and religion have discouraged every effort to bring women into the mainstream.
The role of women in peace building and the gender dimension of peace processes and conflict resolution are result of the impact of armed conflict on women. Pakistani women and women led organizations work inside communities throughout Pakistan, where they are gradually transforming education, promoting economic and political empowerment, providing social services for those affected by displacement, and facilitating rehabilitation for both victims and former militants.
While doing so, these organizations are engaging many stakeholders like women, youth, and political and religious leaders to discuss peace and security to shape an alternative, peaceful vision for the future of Pakistan. Female peace activists visit remote parts of country to uplift the condition of women in conflict areas, to promote peace education and tolerance among the radicalized young seminary students in Taliban strongholds and reintegrate potential suicide bombers into communities.
Some organizations such as PAIMAN Alumni Trust, INSAN Foundation Trust, Aurat Foundation create awareness, capacity development and technical support on gender equality, including non-violence and women's inclusion in peace building. These organizations and many others, besides offering psychosocial support and economic alternatives to violence, coordinate and train diverse community groups to identify signs of extremism. Besides advocating for curriculum reform in secular and religious education system, they are training female parliamentarians on women’s roles in conflict and reconstruction.
Among others Aurat Foundation programs have included a partnership with UN Women to increase understanding of women, peace, and security and mandates for women’s participation in these processes in Pakistan. The establishment and actions of these organizations show the rise of women-led initiatives in Pakistan that are challenging the tide of extremism within communities and providing new approaches to create a more inclusive, tolerant society. In this regard, 20 educated Pakistani women from diverse fields of life in April 2011 formed an anti-extremism alliance called Amn-o-Nisa (Women and Peace). These women work together to moderate extremism in the country.
At the government level, the increase in women’s seat in both national and provincial assemblies increased their sphere of influence. In this regard Pakistan’s first female Speaker of National Assembly convened the first Women's Parliamentary Caucus (WPC). The WPC, besides successfully passing legislations for the protection of women has, within parliament, focused on women, peace, and security in recent years. In 2010, the WPC convened the first Convention of Women Parliamentarians for ‘The Role of Women Parliamentarians in Peace, Security and Reconciliation,’ which included women legislators across federal and provincial assemblies.
The WPC has also taken steps to expand the dialogue bilaterally and internationally. In 2011-12, the WPC met with female parliamentarians from Afghanistan twice to discuss the role of women in peace and security, progressive legislation for women, areas for increased collaboration to support women in parliaments in the two countries, women’s full inclusion in security decisions, and women’s roles in promoting a culture of peace. In August 2013, the WPC met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in a meeting that was organized by UN Women, in collaboration with the WPC, the National Commission on the Status of Women and UNDP.
Despite the challenges to participation, women in various fields are leading efforts to counter radical attitudes in Pakistan, to address the roots of radicalization, and to respond to the needs of families and communities affected by violence. They are fighting extremism in their daily lives with a belief that no country can solve the problem within Pakistan but the people of Pakistan themselves. The irony, however is, the international media that portray Pakistan in negative terms barely highlight the role of these women who strive for a change in their country. It is also important to note that despite their efforts, most of the times women are underrepresented and their perspective, knowledge and interest are not included to a sufficient degree in peace and security processes.
However, as the saying goes, ‘when there is a will, there is a way’ and it fits right on Pakistani women. They have been a critical force in the struggle for peace and tolerance in the country. Despite numerous risks and threats, women are on the frontlines of this battle for national identity. They are a key safeguard against the rising wave of extremism, and essential actors in preserving the core values of tolerance and equality upon which the country was founded. Their experiences and outlooks can provide a better understanding of the current state of peace and security in Pakistan, and their inclusion can offer improved approaches to its most pressing political, economic, and social challenges now and in the future.
The increasing wave of extremism and terrorism has grave impact on those women who have lost their family members in the ongoing conflict between the government and militants. It has a great psychological effect, which leads to negative feeling in the form of anger and a sense of deprivation due to the economic difficulties, which could prompt them to take extreme steps. The armed conflict has also given rise to trauma, depression and other psychological problems in the society. The people who have suffered or even closely witnessed suicide bombings are under constant fear, which affect their outlook towards life.
Cultural traditions, social practices, intensifying ideological religious and ethnic passion and low literacy have left women increasingly vulnerable. In recent times, women have been tortured and targeted for being educators, for holding important positions, for resisting discrimination and violence against themselves and their families.
Women are psychologically affected by several pressures to the point that some of them find no way out except suicide. In fact studies of the impact of gender based repression on women in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime found that 65 percent of women had considered ending their lives and 16 percent had attempted it. They listed the causes of their depression as the repressive Taliban policies which limited their mobility, employment and education opportunities and created a general atmosphere of fear and hopelessness. A suicide attack which took place on 25 December 2010, which killed 41 people waiting in line for emergency rations in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan show a glimpse of their frustrations.
Women have a crucial role to play in promoting harmony and peace. They are able to open the doors of dialogue and peace, during war and conflict. Despite rising insecurity and militancy in Pakistan, they have continued to struggle for promoting common values based on peace and tolerance, equal rights, protection from violence, and public participation. They are taking increasingly active roles as leaders in politics and civil society, where they are countering extremist ideology.
Although the increased presence of women challenges conservative ideology and social attitudes, women’s political representation will be of no significance if women become absent from public spaces due to fear of being attacked. Two of the province most affected by religious extremism, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the male community members and Taliban who consider female political participation against their culture and religion have discouraged every effort to bring women into the mainstream.
The role of women in peace building and the gender dimension of peace processes and conflict resolution are result of the impact of armed conflict on women. Pakistani women and women led organizations work inside communities throughout Pakistan, where they are gradually transforming education, promoting economic and political empowerment, providing social services for those affected by displacement, and facilitating rehabilitation for both victims and former militants.
While doing so, these organizations are engaging many stakeholders like women, youth, and political and religious leaders to discuss peace and security to shape an alternative, peaceful vision for the future of Pakistan. Female peace activists visit remote parts of country to uplift the condition of women in conflict areas, to promote peace education and tolerance among the radicalized young seminary students in Taliban strongholds and reintegrate potential suicide bombers into communities.
Some organizations such as PAIMAN Alumni Trust, INSAN Foundation Trust, Aurat Foundation create awareness, capacity development and technical support on gender equality, including non-violence and women's inclusion in peace building. These organizations and many others, besides offering psychosocial support and economic alternatives to violence, coordinate and train diverse community groups to identify signs of extremism. Besides advocating for curriculum reform in secular and religious education system, they are training female parliamentarians on women’s roles in conflict and reconstruction.
Among others Aurat Foundation programs have included a partnership with UN Women to increase understanding of women, peace, and security and mandates for women’s participation in these processes in Pakistan. The establishment and actions of these organizations show the rise of women-led initiatives in Pakistan that are challenging the tide of extremism within communities and providing new approaches to create a more inclusive, tolerant society. In this regard, 20 educated Pakistani women from diverse fields of life in April 2011 formed an anti-extremism alliance called Amn-o-Nisa (Women and Peace). These women work together to moderate extremism in the country.
At the government level, the increase in women’s seat in both national and provincial assemblies increased their sphere of influence. In this regard Pakistan’s first female Speaker of National Assembly convened the first Women's Parliamentary Caucus (WPC). The WPC, besides successfully passing legislations for the protection of women has, within parliament, focused on women, peace, and security in recent years. In 2010, the WPC convened the first Convention of Women Parliamentarians for ‘The Role of Women Parliamentarians in Peace, Security and Reconciliation,’ which included women legislators across federal and provincial assemblies.
The WPC has also taken steps to expand the dialogue bilaterally and internationally. In 2011-12, the WPC met with female parliamentarians from Afghanistan twice to discuss the role of women in peace and security, progressive legislation for women, areas for increased collaboration to support women in parliaments in the two countries, women’s full inclusion in security decisions, and women’s roles in promoting a culture of peace. In August 2013, the WPC met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in a meeting that was organized by UN Women, in collaboration with the WPC, the National Commission on the Status of Women and UNDP.
Despite the challenges to participation, women in various fields are leading efforts to counter radical attitudes in Pakistan, to address the roots of radicalization, and to respond to the needs of families and communities affected by violence. They are fighting extremism in their daily lives with a belief that no country can solve the problem within Pakistan but the people of Pakistan themselves. The irony, however is, the international media that portray Pakistan in negative terms barely highlight the role of these women who strive for a change in their country. It is also important to note that despite their efforts, most of the times women are underrepresented and their perspective, knowledge and interest are not included to a sufficient degree in peace and security processes.
However, as the saying goes, ‘when there is a will, there is a way’ and it fits right on Pakistani women. They have been a critical force in the struggle for peace and tolerance in the country. Despite numerous risks and threats, women are on the frontlines of this battle for national identity. They are a key safeguard against the rising wave of extremism, and essential actors in preserving the core values of tolerance and equality upon which the country was founded. Their experiences and outlooks can provide a better understanding of the current state of peace and security in Pakistan, and their inclusion can offer improved approaches to its most pressing political, economic, and social challenges now and in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment