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Sana Saleem |
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Patriarchal Repression |
Woman was created from the rib of man. She was not created from his head to be above him nor was she created from his foot to be trampled upon by him. She was taken from his side to be his equal, from beneath his arm to be protected by him, from near his heart to be loved by him.
This beautiful fact mystified by the patriarchal orientation of society has given significant rise to oppressive gender restrictions unanimously agreed to be a global issue. The point remains that even today the violation of the rights of women is a matter that automatically diverts attention from the government or law-enforcing agencies. It is aided by the media and the overdrive of women rights activists and NGOs. Therefore, to portray the emotional and intellectual life of a woman today is a cause one cannot afford to overlook especially after acknowledging the social orientation of the society we live in.
In South Asia in particular, women's issues range from female sexuality, arranged marriages, dowry, bride-burning, and most importantly, to harassment and rape. Much has been said and done about these issues both practically and through works of fiction. Unfortunately, in the high-tech society of today's modern and so-called liberal world, women's problems are not tackled as the usual problems of society. In addition, gradually we have seen these problems gathering a kind of hype that none of us are likely to appreciate.
We have criticism hurled towards the growing trend of feminism, but the very roots engendering these thoughts are conveniently overlooked. If violation of women's rights are dealt with proper conduct and as proper crimes and not tagged and undermined as domestic issues we would not have women feminists or, as they love to phrase it, women washing their dirty linen in public. Furthermore, the recent increment in the number of women on, the socio-political front has not really assisted in decreasing speculation about the ordinary women of society. As a woman, I do not require special treatment, as I am a part of society as much as men are, but I would appreciate it if violence against us, if not treated as a serious matter, is at least considered as an issue. The need for women and human rights activists to highlight the general inhuman conduct towards women is a reflection of the devastation we face even today. The woman of today does not ask you to give her high regard because she has the ability to enhance her inborn persona so much that it actually has the power to inspire many.
Today's woman is a daughter, a sister, a wife and, most importantly, a mother, and all she asks is not to ridicule and manipulate the horrors she faces, and to give her at least the right she deserves. We ask for justice, we ask for equality, we ask that all civil and political rights that belong to all the citizens of the country be guaranteed to our sisters and us forever.
Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings. It is a social movement whose goal is to eliminate the oppression of women in all its forms. However, no other offence has ever been visited with such severe penalties as seeking to help the oppressed. Women and men were made to co-exist in the same society and not be rivals or be oppressed. Nevertheless, the constant repression against women leaves no room for us but to stand up and to contend resolutely. It is a struggle necessary to eradicate the ideology of domination that permeates our culture on various levels.
As Maria W. Chapman puts it: "Let us rise in the moral power of womanhood; and give utterance to the voice of outraged mercy, and insulted justice, and eternal truth, and mighty love and holy freedom.”
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