A Space of One’s Own

Beena,

``I think it`s time that women in Pakistan also took back our public spaces``.

Who knows when and if that day will come. Women in Pakistan have to deal with a lot of bullshit. First of all, they have to have the approval of the male members of the family namely father and brothers to do anything be it in the house or outside. Then the whole community steps in like a censor board curbing whatever they believe is threatening to them.
Taking back public spaces may be an option for like a miniscule portion of the society but if that happens just on that minor level maybe it will pave way for a few more.

It is all about empowering ourselves. Women empowering women is an option that may ensure freedom of choice and power for women.

nts:

Apparently you ladies have missed watching couples make out on the beaches... I mean make out, not just fool around.

q1: what is the point of bringing this here
q2: when did you witness this making out
q3: what did you do about it?

rgds

t

Apparently you ladies have missed watching couples make out on the beaches... I mean make out, not just fool around.

But I agree, women should be able to walk fearlessly wherever they wished. The issue has more to do with security than the conservative masses. These masses watch more vulgar Indian movies than the DHS crowd, thus couldn`t care less about women strolling on the beaches and parks. Most of the detested `less than DHS/Clifton crowd` wouldn`t dare to confront the city`s feminine elite.

It`s usually the sexually deprived beat patrol and their criminal cohorts that cause ANYONE - man or woman - in the country to be afraid outside.

Muslim women are not forbidden from being outside, as long as they`re dressed according to the Islamic code. By that measure, even men are not supposed to be walking around half naked as they are seen today.

Women should also be encouraged to participate in sports, but not at the expense of their dignity. The male spectators unrelated to the athletes should not be allowed to witness the sport (though one can`t do anything about the tele) as they add more to disruption than to the spirit of the sport. Whether one believes it or not, most male spectators are not interested in the quality of the game or the individual female athletes` skills. Ironically, one can`t do anything about it, as it is human nature.

One could argue it is due to lack of education, ignorance, etc. But the fact remains, even in US and Europe educated male spectators attend girl`s sports for the same reasons; just watch the numbers of male and female spectators at beach volley ball, tennis, (ice) hockey, etc. Universally, the sports that flash more flesh attract more male spectators.

Mullahs are just the scapegoat. In spite of the fact that millions of people lost their lives and property for a country where their children could practice Islam freely, the mullahs have failed to capitalize on that strength from day one. So, their cries are basically empty rhetorics out of the wilderness.

I`ll be the first male with my mother, wife, and daughter to Take Back the Night. But first things first - we need to take back the country from the embedded criminal elements. Only then my girls will be able to walk freely and more confidently with all the women in the country, as it belongs to them just as much as it belongs to men.

Freedom for humans should not be formulated sans innate human nature. Otherwise results will never be same as desired.

But that`s only my observation.

m`as-salaam

And the spaces we shall claim! and it would also be nice to see more couples about holding hands.
The word should be spread out to women.


Peace

beena:

way back i recall you did a column about your biking days in lahore...so the tide is turning...albeit ever so slowly...

and this appears at a time when the marathon is in the news

fight sis fight!...do not let the abdul-hates cow you down

lve

t