Women: Are They Rightly Left-out?

Women have been objectified, overruled, and denied in every aspect of life. Most of the women in Pakistani and more broadly in South Asian and Arab culture, are still barred from their choices. From art to culture to literature to education, women have been confined to only two classification – ‘humnawa, humsheera, humdum' representing the ideal traits of women, whereas, ‘badzubaan, badkaar, badchalan’ being the wicked traits.

If we look at the population ratio, women have outnumbered men since the last few centuries. But less women appeared as heroic figures or prominent figures or their due credit has always been, owing to the deeply embedded patriarchy at grassroot level.

Think about it, by heroic women, the first thought that strikes us is a woman who can do a man’s job – a woman who’s more masculine in her traits. Why not normalize accepting women as who they really are, other than to get married which, quite systematically is the last resort for every woman.

A common observation, that women are less opinionated in other-than-household or domestic chores, and thus are less influential in policy and decision making, reasons being less female representation in different areas of life. Most women are confined to “ghar, grehsti and gunbad” only. Looking at the men-to-women ratio in terms of population, we need more women in the working sphere, in policy and decision making, I believe it’s the need of the hour. Not advocating the liberal school of thought or not denying Marx’s take on societal roles, but definitely negating the conventional/orthodox regime. Today, we need more working women, with dreams and ambitions, and choices and options for the economy to sustain rightly.

In the contemporary era, television, entertainment industry and social media tell us and compel us, to think in either way: the behavioral patterns, the school of thoughts, objectification and perception. There’s a bunch of “bechari abla nari” typos. There’s a bunch of “churail makaar badkaari” typos. In this regard, things are more black and white, with less room for the grey matter to exist, so vision remains unclear, as women are type casted, in two major classifications. In my opinion, women; other than two mentioned type(s) should be represented as-well-as others too. In this way a newer way to live, think, perceive and believe can be achieved.

Even our cuss words, and abuses, are more women-centric. Objectification is just the bi-product, while patriarchy and misogyny work as catalysts. It represents the collective mindset and thought process. What seems normal for the spider, is chaos for the fly, the knitted web is the condition(s). Observe this case study, as: women, patriarchy/misogyny and society(projection).

Another rhetorical question, which, to some extent, resonates with the title of the article, “do women even want to be liberated?” I guess, no one asked for their consent, in the first place, ever. Consent, still is an alien concept, and the norm that has compelled women to stop existing or believing or thinking: “women don’t behave like that” or “an ideal woman candidate should not tell her choice.” Talking about our thoughts and virtues, an important question arises: Are our thoughts and virtues are projection of our society, or are they really our thoughts?

Women give life to life literally, then why settle for less? If someone wishfully wants to get married, it is totally their call; if someone wishfully wants to get a job, their call. This is the right time to address these issues, and rethink our morals giving more space to women: to choose, to seek, to think, to exist, to believe, and to be, but of course, with their due consent and choice; remember, choice is an option, compulsion is not. And this is what International Women’s Day is about: to let them seek for themselves. A commemoration that women shouldn’t be neglected, denied their choices and opinion(s). That women aren’t to be left-out: rightly or unrightly. Happy Women’s Day!

Y’all appreciated!  

Tupac Shakur

(American Musician and Rapper)