Twenty-First Century Woman

Bina Shah

One of the great societal conundrums about life in Pakistan is that there is an elite group of people who are living by the mores and values of the Victorian era, surrounded by a huge mass of humanity still trapped in the Stone Ages. How else can you explain tea and sandwiches at the Club, charity balls where strapless and Smirnoff abound, luxury vacations and foreign passport holders, living side-by-side with honor killings, child labor of Dickensian proportions, mothers dying in childbirth, and men and women who are unable to read or write their own names?

“Twenty-First Century Woman” explores the issues and conflicts stirred up by this dual existence. Women’s issues, the media, current events, and society at large will make it into the mix in an attempt to make sense of, or at least observe and record, Pakistan in the twenty first century through a woman’s perspective. This woman, of course, makes no attempt to speak for every woman, or indeed every Pakistani, but offers up her views in tribute to and tribulation of the most complex country on earth.

Bina Shah

October 17, 2002

Column Articles

Earthquake Relief Efforts Oct 10, 2005

The organizers told viewers that they had received enough clothing; what they needed now was medicine and volunteers to come help sort out the items.

Rape and Exploitation - Pakistan’s Dilemma Sep 18, 2005

Musharraf will very probably live to regret this instance of foot-in-mouth disease, but the only way to show Pakistani women, and the world, that he has had it cured is to take very concrete steps for the protection of and the achievement of justice for e

Behind the Iron Purdah Aug 25, 2005

...what this country might look like if people who want Pakistan to emulate the Taliban (in terms of how women should be treated) got their way

On the Inside Jun 23, 2005

This essay is meant to bust a few myths and communicate a few home truths about “feudalism” in this country, which many people in the urban centers of the country believe to be the reason for why things in Pakistan are so amiss.

Why Mukhtar Mai Matters Jun 1, 2005

She has decided to take up the fight against “outdated and unIslamic customs and traditions” as she stated on International Woman’s Day this year. Mukhtar Mai is showing here that she is no victim, but a woman who has been forced to beco

Interview with the Vamp May 24, 2005

Angelina Jolie recently visited Pakistan for the second time in her capacity as a UNHCR goodwill ambassador...

Outside the Military Hospital May 2, 2005

The sun is equally unkind to them all
And God is equally forgiving. And that’s the way it’s always been
Despite fifty years and as many leaders in between.

Not Your Mother’s Holiday Mar 22, 2005

So 'National Bitch Day' could actually be seen as something very beneficial to women's collective mental health. This would be the one day where you, as a woman, are not allowed to be 'nice'.

The Real Blasphemy Nov 17, 2004

Van Gogh had received death threats for directing a film that accused Islam of condoning violence against women... there is something in the subject that seems to arouse the basest of passions in the human heart; the need to annihilate the person who says

The Trouble With Irshad Manji Oct 3, 2004

Manji believes that she’s appealing to young Muslims everywhere with her straight-talking, candid language and style. But she is more likely to alienate Muslims ...

A Matter of Destiny Aug 28, 2004

Unlike other dating sites, though, Naseeb is first and foremost a Web site for Muslims, and it shows.

The 786 Cybercafé on Tariq Road (continued) Jul 28, 2004

Karachi in the 1990s was a wasteland of failed opportunities; the salaried class was on its knees under the burden of heavy government taxes, and the only people who could afford to set up franchises and industries were the already super-rich, super-corru

The Need For Writing Across the Curriculum Jun 12, 2004

But why is there a need to integrate writing into all areas of learning?

Just Another Day On the Job Apr 22, 2004

The CEO of Pakistan strode in masterfully to chair the Wednesday weekly cabinet meeting at the CEO’s office in Islamabad. It was a weighty responsibility, but he knew he was man enough for the job. He had achieved a high level of fitness from carryi

Standing in the Fields Apr 9, 2004

The rest of the world wants to grow wings and fly
We only want to grow roots deep within the soil,
Where we belong.

The Hidden Pearls Feb 18, 2004

Recently I read a brochure that someone had given me entitled 'The Hidden Pearls'. ....it was a pamphlet explaining why women should wear the veil and the face covering (hijab and niqab respectively).

Zen Pakistanis Jan 31, 2004

The “Father of the Bomb” is undoubtedly realizing that from now on when they call him “Father of the Bum” it won’t merely be a mistake in pronunciation.

Charbagh Dec 17, 2003

Entering Gulgee’s gallery is like stepping into a wonderful surrealistic painting in which odd shapes, images, and objects stare at you as you pass by, giving you the feeling that you’ve turned into Alice and are stepping into Wonderland.

Boston Oct 10, 2003

The joy at having the customs official at Logan look at my passport and my visa and say, 'You’re going to Wellesley? That’s fantastic. I wish I could have gone to Wellesley.'

Black Days in Karachi Aug 17, 2003

The Black Days have returned to Karachi, but this time they have nothing to do with politics, but a slowly widening oil slick, that grows day by day to destroy everything that Karachi holds dear.

Bus Baby Aug 12, 2003

A poem for Noor Fatima

Monsoon Days Jul 6, 2003

The woman on the television tells us it’s raining in India. This means the monsoon will come to Pakistan soon. You only have to see the satellite map on television to understand the Siamese nature of South Asian weather.

The Truth About Karachi Jun 13, 2003

Rejoinder to the Time article about Karachi

Qualitative Education May 20, 2003

By educating ourselves out of the Third World Mindtrap, we may not necessarily become wealthier nations,

Baghdad Lullaby II Apr 11, 2003

Who is going to mourn the dead?

The New Jews Mar 8, 2003

In this world, where Muslims are the new Jews, where Pakistanis are terrorists, visa cheaters and total bastards, What am I?

Goats, Terrorists, and the People Who Love Them Feb 13, 2003

this plate of meat being devoured by my relatives was Fluffy the Goat two hours ago

Ghada Karmi: The Strength of Palestinian Narrative in the Face of Violence Feb 1, 2003

She continues to hold the belief that Palestinian statehood is a goal that can be achieved with the use of all options

Fair and Lovely Dec 24, 2002

She's a little on the dark side

The Diary of a Pretty Young Thing Dec 2, 2002

I smiled charmingly at the visa officer

The Endangered Species Nov 15, 2002

I’m just waiting for the day when South Asian women are added to the WWF’s endangered species list.

Teasing or Torture? Nov 6, 2002

both men and women are equal losers when it comes to sexual harassment in our country

Bitter, Not Sweet Sep 11, 2002

We were treated to a shootout between seven Al-Qaeda suspects hiding in a residential apartment about three minutes away from my house.

The Good Wife Jul 29, 2002

What would they ask for next

When Riz Khan Came to Town Jun 6, 2002

The hotel where the BBC crew is staying has received 14,357 marriage proposals

The Taste of this Eid Dec 23, 2001

it made no difference that we had all tried to be so good

Mango Diplomacy Jul 8, 2001

The King of Fruit sweetens palates and softens moods everywhere ...

The Good Husband Mar 15, 2001

What do you want for your breakfast?

Beating the Donkey Jan 8, 2001

The Minister roared from the ground

Salman, Padma, Fatwa Oct 27, 2000

How about a Fatwa against trophy wives?

Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire’s Dog? Aug 20, 2000

a man in India who’d married his four-year-old daughter to a dog

Death Becomes Us Jun 9, 2000

All it takes is one phone call

ALIF - The Way Ahead? May 1, 2000

to build the Kingdom of God out of scraps

Study in Black Mar 12, 2000

Why did a man get to wear white and a woman black?

Diary of a Coup Oct 14, 1999

A coup d’etat had taken place and everything was going on as if nothing had happened?

His Gift Sep 8, 1999

He knew things without knowing how he knew them.

The Marriage Trap II Aug 7, 1999

Let the (mating) dance begin ...

Fishhooks May 19, 1999

Some men are like fishhooks. They slide so easily into the softest flesh they find

Letter from a Soldier Apr 14, 1999

What would that soldier, captured by the Serbs, say?

The Marriage Trap Jan 22, 1999

Why aren’t we getting M-A-R-R-I-E-D?

Limiting Images Jan 5, 1999

Why I hate my college magazine.

An Interview with Nasser Khan Ghazi Dec 21, 1998

A talk with the man who started the first ISP in South Asia.

Daddy’s Girl Nov 14, 1998

To my friends who lost their father at an early age

Bookstore Lessons Nov 5, 1998

Watching the two boys... I was seized by the impulse to do something for them...

A Heavy Price to Pay Sep 23, 1998

I am told I must not enter that world...

On Being an Ex-Expatriate Aug 2, 1998

What’s it like to come back to Pakistan? An ex-expatriate speaks.

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