In the calm but clandestine surroundings of villages in Pakistan, the issue of women’s gender discrimination continues and adversely affects the lives of females. Such stories are not often presented in the mainstream but are experienced on the daily by countless women, shaping their lives in significant and often bitter ways.
No Inheritance Rights for Women
One of the most glaring forms of discrimination here is the violation of women’s inheritance rights. Regardless of legal provisions, a large volume of women is practically forbidden from asking for a share that is legitimately theirs. The common response that comes to mind, “We give her a dowry, so she doesn’t need an inheritance share,” captures the prevailing contempt that surrounds women’s economic rights. Dowry, which is meant to protect women, in reality, acts as a tool to dispossess women of their rightful claim to the family estate, thus securing property within the male lineage and handcuffing women economically.
Love vs. Arranged Marriages
The concept of marriage in rural Pakistan is often devoid of personal choice. Love marriages are not just discouraged; they’re seen as a direct affront to family honour. Instead, marriages are arranged, sometimes to relatives, to keep wealth and status within the family. Refusal can lead to dire consequences, including forced marriage to an unwanted partner, where saying no might invite honour killings or severe social ostracism. This practice strips women of autonomy in one of life’s most personal decisions.
Domestic Violence and Honour Killings
Within the confines of many homes lies another harsh reality: domestic violence. Women, considered property, suffer silently through physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. The notion of honour further darkens this narrative, where any action deemed to tarnish family honour can lead to honour killings, a practice shockingly accepted by some as a means to restore dignity. This culture of violence leaves women with little recourse, the law often falling short in providing justice or protection.
The Patriarchal Family System
The patriarchal system here is not just a tradition; it’s a way of life that dictates every aspect of a woman’s existence. Women’s roles are confined to the domestic sphere, with decisions about their education, marriage, or even daily activities made by men. This system strips women of agency, relegating them to a life of service rather than one of equality and choice.
Child Marriages
Another layer of discrimination is the prevalence of child marriages. Girls, often barely in their teens, are married off, cutting short their childhood, education, and any chance at a life of their own choosing. This not only affects their physical and mental health but also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and dependency.
Limited Access to Education
Education for girls remains a luxury in many villages. Even when schools exist, cultural norms dictate that girls should not stray far from home, severely limiting their access to education. This lack of education further entrenches gender roles, keeping women in a cycle of subservience and ignorance about their rights.
In the silence of Pakistan’s countryside, these issues paint a grim picture of gender discrimination, where women are often seen but not heard, valued for what they can bring in dowry or how they can serve rather than for their potential or rights. The struggle for equality here is not just against a system but against centuries-old beliefs that have shaped societal norms, keeping gender discrimination a hidden, yet rampant, reality.
