What woman is to Taliban?
Islam acknowledges women’s equality with men but unfortunately this has been missing since Taliban clout started to blanket across the country. Taliban wants to implement Sharia in Pakistan, but the one preached by Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) or the one 'interpreted' by individuals?
The Quran states:
"And among His signs is this: that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest and peace of mind in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Certainly, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect." [Noble Quran 30:21]
Women have already suffered in yesteryears in Pakistan and they are being oppressed, while many have no right to get education, and braving abuses like physical and mental ones coupled with forced marriages have become an order of the day. Is there any wayout for women? The answers are yet to come.
Government of Pakistan seeks the way of peace talks with three-member from Taliban side and four-member committee from government side has also been announced; though no female member is included neither from Taliban or government side. Regretfully we have ignored the main entity in these dialogues, “women”.
As the women have suffered the most and if no preventive measures are taken during the peace talks, the role of Pakistani women will not be less than of those of slaves.
What woman is to Taliban? Girls are not allowed to be educated after the age of eight, unless they are allowed to study Holy Quran within the walls. Burqa should be worn by every woman and must not appear in the streets without blood relative. They encourage marriages for girls under the age of 16, and it’s reported that 80% of the marriages are supposed to be forced ones. Women are not allowed to work. Not allowed to be treated by any male doctors while the other remain untreated and times lead to deaths. Public flogging & executions of women are practice of honor for Talibans. Women are treated as toys, slaves or the notorious habit of sexism.
As a Pakistani woman, I would like to ask the government:
Ø What will be the future of women in Pakistan after these peace talks?
Ø As per Taliban, women are deficient in intelligence and religion, a woman's share of intellect does not reach man's level. Women who get out from house for work or study will have to wear burqa otherwise they will be treated as a sign of corruption?
Ø They would not be allowed to speak either or their voice will be an invitation to strangers? Will every girl be treated like Malala?
Ø The 52% women are contributing in either in rural or in urban areas across the country, will be held back as slaves just because the artificial sharyat says so?
Ø Will women be allowed to cast their votes or there won’t be any elections under Shariat? In election 2013, women were not allowed by the Jirga in KP to cast their votes in areas under Taliban’s influence?
Ø Will girls be murdered if they are seen singing / dancing like happened in Kohistan? All five girls were murdered there after the dancing video was leaked from a marriage ceremony.
Ø A pregnant Afghan widow was publicly flogged with 200 lashes and then shot 3 times in the head for “alleged adultery”; Pakistan Constitution will allow such barbarism? Will women ever be safe?
Ø Like in Afghanistan all ground floors & first floors of residential building are painted or covered up to prevent women being visible from streets. Will Pakistan adopt such jail type quarters in near future?
Ø I do believe that there would be no photography of filming allowed in newspapers, books, shops, TV etc of women. Would there be ban for life for women in public appearances?
Ø Women won’t be allowed to bring along cell phones, or else they might violate so-called Sharia. What will be its future?
Ø Pakistani Women would be banned from wearing jeans & of course they won’t be allowed appearing in public without PROPER veil. Right or wrong?
Ø Will there be medical facilities allowed for women or they will be left dead untreated?
Ø Are we going back to the dark ages when girls were killed as they were born?
Ø Every Pakistani woman has the right to ask the government that why women representation is lacking in Peace Talks Committee?
Ø What contingency plan does government seeks for the protection of women rights?
My reservations stands that there should be representation of women in these peace talks or else the future of Pakistani Women is much though than it is now! Inferiority is already faced by 85% of the women in Pakistan; all such doubts may do bring depression and anxiety & may end up in a massive loss.
May Allah guide us all to One Direction as written in the Quran & delivered by our beloved Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).