Images

Atiqa Odho and Fouzia Saeed discuss women empowerment at KLF Day 2

Atiqa Odho and Fouzia Saeed discuss women empowerment at KLF Day 2

The two sit in conversation for Saeed's book On Their Own Terms: Early Twenty-First Century Women’s Movements.
01 Mar, 2020

The launch of a book titled On Their Own Terms: Early Twenty-First Century Women’s Movements in Pakistan by Fouzia Saeed elicited an enlightening discussion on Saturday at the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF).

Artist Atiqa Odho spoke about marital rape arguing that it was something that’s not discussed in our society. “Sexual harassment in the workplace is not the only issue. A lot happens at homes too.”

She said that she wanted to make one thing clear: she is against divides in society. She feels bad when all men are looked at in the same light. In her life she has come across very good male colleagues and friends who have supported her all along. But when a few men do something wrong, they tend to bring bad reputation to all men. “Men have as much a challenge as women.”

Ms Odho told the young girls sitting in the hall that harassment did not stop in the workplace; it could happen in their homes too, therefore voices should be raised against it. Lauding the book, she added “we need a woman in the Supreme Court”, asking why there isn’t a lady judge in the Supreme Court. “Asma Jahangir gave her life to us. To give something back in her memory we need to raise this question.”

Fouzia Saeed shed light on the lessons she learned from the movements mentioned in the book about what can help social change or impede it. The author said she examined four movements and inferred what helped women was solidarity. Donors and development projects have different domains. The changes that have occurred in women’s lives or their achievements have come about because of volunteer movements (razakarana tehreekein); not even one per cent of that could be attributed to development projects. “The one who gets hurt, when she stands up to bring about change, she has tremendous power. Movements are like flowing water. Social change is not linear.”

On Their Own Terms: Early Twenty-First Century Women’s Movements in Pakistan by Fouzia Saeed launched

Ms Saeed also appreciated the role of family and the media in the success of the movements.

The session was moderated by Mehtab Akbar Rashdi.

Originally published in Dawn, March 1st, 2020

Comments

jaredlee Mar 01, 2020 11:21am
Both women from affluent and elite class representing general women in Pakistan. I doubt if they even understand women's issues in Pakistan.
Recommend
Cris Dan Mar 01, 2020 11:27am
Every balanced mind will agree with sagacious ideas of Ms.Odho.
Recommend
Taj Mar 01, 2020 11:28am
Women empowerment is a joke in this country
Recommend
N abidai Mar 01, 2020 11:49am
These women live in Pakistan ,yet they have not understand the mind sets. Stop given women empowerment western names .women should be given work shops, on connecting networking , basic saftey educations, jobs trianing ,and get educated men involved who can network with other men to build up culture of saftey, respect ,for development of society !
Recommend
Cris Dan Mar 01, 2020 12:43pm
Three strong survivors.
Recommend
Cris Dan Mar 01, 2020 12:44pm
@Taj but three women above have proved that women can win if determined.
Recommend
M. Saeed Mar 01, 2020 01:18pm
Women empowerment in the house, is already a big disaster. Very few women would allow their men relatives in house to interfere even in fixing a nail in the wall.
Recommend
Parvez Mar 01, 2020 02:12pm
Raising an awareness is vital if anything meaningful is to be done about this. .....so, well done.
Recommend
Zak Mar 02, 2020 02:15am
Good book. Brave spirit to challenge the medieval minds.
Recommend