Spot.bz | Connect and Share

Introduction

Pakistan is an Islamic state; a religion that has accorded a highly venerated social position to women, where woman is an equally important member as man. But unfortunately, the Pakistani society still adopts a hostile attitude towards the women usually. Their development in society is hindered due to many factors, varying upon geographical location and class. Generally, Pakistani women (esp. in rural areas) are not only subjected to financial discrimination but are also victims of inhuman rituals such as Karokari, hudood, qasas and marriage to the Holy Quran. Besides, a number of other abuses are being perpetrated against women as well. The reason for this situation is that majority of women are still not aware of their legal rights because of which they are unable to possess them. Therefore, the legal rights literacy is must for them. Along with the financial independence, women should also be aware of the family, inheritance and marriage laws. Importance of women right’s organizations

Since 1983, many NGO’s have actively started their work in Pakistan.Their emergence indicates that the Government of Pakistan had also recognized the role of NGO’s in promotion of social welfare programs in Pakistan. Regardless of severe criticism, these NGO’s have shown great potential of integrating women into the development process. This is why, a variety of NGO’s associated to women and children, can be seen today. The basic duty of the women rights organization is to provide education and awareness to public. It also includes the protection of women’s rights and elimination of discrimination in society; widening women’s participation on the local, regional and national levels. More than that,it also tends to document the violation of human rights law against women. It can support women to develop critical social change and action agendas. It’s role may serve as a catalyst in mobilization of grass root women’s movement. The Government always make proposals and planning on human rights issues, but it is never successful without the involvement of NGO’s, civil society & international community. Therefore, such organizations hold a very strong position in our country.

Various Government’s attitude towards womenIf we look at the history of Pakistan, we find several women’s movements against criminal laws and customs which are mostly dominated by the NGOs. But the tragedy of the NGOs is that they believe in this system, its state and its laws. They respect the Judiciary as well as the state. They do not have a way out except. They simply appeal to the ruling elite and their state to pass such laws that can abolish discrimination against women within society.Therefore Pakistan experienced variant policies for women in different governments. For example, the democratic regime of Zulfiqar ali Bhutto was a period of liberal attitudes towards women. However, Zial-ul-Haq initiated a process of Islamization by introducing discriminatory legislation against women such as the set of Hudood Ordinances & the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order.In 1988, Benazir Bhutto became the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan, & the first woman elected to head a Muslim country and a visible change in the policy context in favor of women was seen after Zia-ul-Haq’s regime.

In 1997, Nawaz Sharif, a political protégé of Zia-ul-Haq, was elected as the Prime Minister. He had also held office for a truncated term (1990-1993), during which he had promised to adopt Islamic law as the supreme law of Pakistan.

And lastly, The General Pervez Musharraf regime worked for the women issues which included the appointment of 1st women deacons,the case of Mukhtaran Mai, independent ministry of the Ministry of Women Development, amendments to the 1979 Hudood Ordinances, and the Women’s Protection Bill approval etc. Important Treaties, Documents & ConferencesThe important treaties and documents that worked upon women right’s internationally include mainly the Universal Declaration of Human rights, adopted by UN general assembly in 1948, The Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) 1975, The UN Charter, & The Convention on the right of Child (CRC) etc. The major conferences include the Four UN Conferences on Women (1976-1995), The World Conference on human rights (vienna), International Conference on population & development Cairo (1994), The Comission on the status of Women (1996). And the International Women Day is observed on 8th March every year world-wide.

NGOs in PakistanAccording to a report, most of the larger NGOs are working on all the issues related to violence against women,sexual harassment & honor killings. About 22% of such organizations are working mainly on issues of trafficking, victims of Hudood Ordinance & discrimination against women. Various women organizations like APWA, Aurat foundation, Ansar Burney trust, HRCP etc have been working tremendously for the sake of women’s welfare in Pakistan. But one of the major hurdles is also that such NGOs lack financially if they begin to operate in sectors requiring huge investments in infrastructure. A network of linkages with other sectors of civil society is necessary as NGOs do not have the capacity to do it alone.

Conclusion

The NGO sector in Pakistan is among the fastest growing and most gender sensitive sectors of society. Its explosive growth is however a relatively recent phenomenon. With this growth has arisen a new appreciation of the role they play in the society. Previously the Govt – NGO relations could be described as mutually suspicious if not hostile. But it is a result of their own vigorous efforts which has proved themselves among the public as well as government with the passage of time.