Feminism: Voicing the Unspoken

 Feminism: Perspectives from my perspective.

As a movement for equal political and legal rights for women, "feminism" originated from the French word "feminisme," coined by socialist utopian Charles Fourier.
Feminism exists in several forms, including liberal, radical, socialist, and Marxist.

Food for thought: In our Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which has been built on the ideas of Islam, the question is whether should we follow these western influences? Muslim beliefs and values are much higher than those of the West. How could we possibly be easily distracted by the western wave when we have something superior to offer?

The term Feminism has always intrigued me. Let’s dive in:

 

As a girl, in our culture, a MEHRAM must approve of a girl's trip from choosing a dress coat to a destination (which is also true in a sense, you can call me an orthodox for this, but they know the mentality of other men, another factor, as men being men!) The question is when discussing gender equality, do men get the same precautions while out on the town? Are they advised in the same way as women? You need to behave like a gentleman. Also, you're accountable for your sight. So on and so forth. Not many can tell that they are advised the same way. Hardly few can relate. IRONY!

 

It’s good and mandatory, to teach your daughters about the decree regarding Pardah, portraying Surah Noor and all that What’s most important is to educate your sons by shedding light on Surah Yousaf in the same way. (For I truly believe that What an exceptional man he was. A phenomenal one indeed!) This is EQUALITY. The patriarchal urge of men to impose religion on women. Do they have only a 1 % trait of the religious men?For:

 

 وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَٱلطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ                                                      
                                       (Surah Noor:26)

I have also heard the arguments that why educate girls when men can take over the world. To the men out there, 49.2% percent of Pakistan's population are females. How can a country grow and prosper if half of its population is largely inactive?

As all the men,  must be aware of their privilege in society, they can prove this too, by pointing out instances, I mean a few ones where women get preferential treatment, but they all just cannot recognize the bigger picture that begins with the women’s first step out from her home. We can even observe that almost every single one of these abuses is directed toward women.

Then comes the expectations from the women like they are the heavenly bodies that can do anything flawlessly. According to Census, Pakistan ranks the 6th most dangerous country for women in regards to domestic violence. The common practice of shouting on a domestic scale is increasing day by day which leads to further breakdowns. You just cannot justify manipulating others whether it’s a woman or a man.

Can we normalize embracing the imperfections of others? For this is how, perhaps, we are created. If we are destined to be perfect God would have created us that way. We are human beings and it’s all about being humans. Let’s contribute to making this world a better place for each creature to live.

Last but not least I believe that we should stop portraying girls as living in a Utopian world, something I have noticed since my childhood. On a serious note, the Stories of Cinderella and her prince who apparently would find her and take her out of her misery to another planet is just unrealistic. We need to empower our ladies by illustrating the facts. We should be realistic. I mean, we live in the 21st century. All the power in the world is within you, the ladies, only you can make anything possible by building your own empire. You're the only one responsible for your life. Believe in Allah the Almighty, it will turn out well.

 

 
Your Soft Criticism and Comments are highly appreciated!