Pakistani Women Ignored By the Headlines
Chances are if you are a college-educated Pakistani woman, who may or may not be working, not aligned to a political or social cause, inconsistently active on social media, above the national poverty line — the world doesn’t know about you.
They know about Malala, so your tertiary-level education comes as a shock. Not knocking Malala, but there is so much more to being a Pakistani woman than can be captured in a headline or a documentary. Most of us may never end up doing anything remarkable or game-changing enough to end up in a documentary or headline.
I am here to say that that’s okay.
The fact you lead the lives that you do is a commendation enough. Any external validation is usually for the benefit of the one championing you, often for their own causes.
Why do you, fellow Pakistani woman, need a global ‘pat on the back’ to thrive? It’s not only us, this phenomenon of reducing the South Asian woman’s experience to “victims” that must be “emancipated” or “survivors” who must be singled out and lauded on global forums. Those very forums that lead to the economic sanctions, drone attacks and rise in global terrorism in their native countries — resulting in the woman stepping out to face a stark socio-economic reality.
“Poor little Pakistani/Indian/Bangladeshi woman HAS to drive a taxi to earn a living.” She drives a taxi/ works in a bank/ runs an NGO/is an elected politician/ teaches at a college/runs a business online because she CAN. Even if the need to earn or being financially independent was thrust upon a woman initially, it would be misleading to assume that there is any thing remotely oppressive about the situation. What is more liberating than earning via your own skills?
How about the women who have been labouring for eons at home, at the hearth, out in the fields? Just because domestic labor is not paid does not mean we are not aware of it’s massive contribution to our society.
The young woman who juggles a minimum-wage part-time gig selling beauty products in a mall in Lahore while completing her university education is a not an exception. She is becoming the rule.
Pakistani women do not ask for permission to thrive.
Pakistani women will appreciate some recognition by their immediate friends and family members for their efforts. But if that doesn’t come, they will keep on achieving their goals, undeterred by the need for fame via social media.
Pakistani women are catalysts for change in their communities — leading by example — free to excel away from the glare of the international “uplift” mafia.
When I am not seething over a headline, I write about financial empowerment, digital literacy, and educational technology at my blog called Catalyst Woman. Who am I? I once described myself as a Communications consultant who conducts trainings focused on Women’s Empowerment, Employability Skills and Educational Innovation.
