Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Empty vs Sympathy



- Shad Begum (Human Rights Activist, from Pakistan) 




Equality for all.





When we say "Equality", it is not only meant for#women. By #Equality, we mean that we all are equal #human beings despite different #genderand all other differences.

- Shad Begum (Human Rights Activist, from Pakistan) 



Thursday, November 9, 2017

عورت کا مقدمہ، مردوں کی عدالت میں ۔ شادبیگم ۔

 


عورت سماج کا یکساں فرد ہے، انہیں صنف کی بنیاد پہ بنیادی حقوق سے محروم نہیں کرنا چاہیے۔ سالوں بعد جب دیر جیسے دورافتادہ علاقے میں تاریخ میں پہلی دفعہ، مقامی انتخابات کے نظام کی تحت عورتوں کو 33 فی صد نمائندگی کا حق ملا۔ خواتین کا حوصلہ بلند ہوا، اور یہ امید پیدا ہوئی کہ اب ایک عام عورت، جس کے پاس نہ کو ئی سرمایہ ہے اور نہ کوئی نامی گرامی سیاسی پس منظر، نہ صرف 33 فیصد مخصوص نشستوں پرانتخابات میں حصہ لے کر سیاسی میدان عمل میں اسکتی ہے بلکہ وہ تمام جنرل نشستوں میں سے کسی پربھی انتخابات لڑنے کابلا تفریق حق رکھتی ہے۔
خواتین یہ سوچ کر خوش تھیں، کہ آج تک ان کی شنوائی کرنے والا کوئی لیڈر نہیں تھا، اس لئے عورتیں تعلیم، روزگار، صحت، انصاف جیسے بنیادی حقوق سے تقریباً محروم ہی رہیں۔ لیکن اب خواتین براہ راست سیاست کے میدان میں قدم رکھ کر عورتوں کی حالت بہتر کرنے میں اپنا کردارد اس لئے موثر طریقے سے ادا کریں گی کہ دراصل عورت ہی عورت کے مسائل خوب سمجھتی ہے لہذاعورت کی نما ئندگی اب عورت کریگی۔ سیاست میں آ نے سے خواتین قانون سازی کے عمل میں حصہ لے سکے گی، اور بہت سارے غیر شرعی اورغیرانسانی قوانین کو قانون سازی کے ذریعے ہٹاینگے۔
مثال کے طور پر“سورہ“، (سورہ ایک مقامی رسم ہے جس میں عورت کودشمنیاں اور تنازعات ختم کرنے کے لئے معاوضے کی شکل میں دے دیا جاتا ہے )، غیرت کے نام پر قتل، جا ئیداد میں حصے سے محروم رکھنے جیسی مکروہ رسم ورواج کے خلاف اواز بھی اٹھا سکے گی، اوراس کے ساتھ ساتھ خواتین کی بینادی ضروریات اورحقوق کی فراہمی کے لئے عملی طور پر منصوبے بھی شروع کرسکیں گی۔
لیکن خواتین کے خواب تب چکنا چور ہوئے جب انتخابات میں کاغذات نامزدگی کے مرحلے کے شروع ہونے سے پہلے ہی تمام مذہبی اور ترقی پسند سیاسی جماعتیں یکجا ہو گئیں، اور دن دیہاڑے، مملکت ِخدادِ پاکستان کی ائین اور قانون کی خلاف ورزی کرتے ہوئے، ایک ساتھ ایک نعرہ لگایا کہ ہمارے زندہ ہوتے ہوئے دیر جیسے علاقے کے باپردہ اورباحیا نظام کو عورتوں کے سیاسی عمل میں شریک ہونے پر تارتار نہیں کیا جا سکتا۔
تمام مقامی سیاسی رہنما بشمول مذہبی اور لبرل نے کھلم کھلا اعلانات کیے، تحریری معاہدے کیے، اپنے جلسوں میں لوگوں کے ایمان کو للکارا اور کہا کہ خبردار، اپنے پشتون اوراسلامی قوانین کی حفاظت کریں اورعورتوں کو نہ ووٹ ڈالنے دیں اورنہ ہی انتخابات لڑنے دیں۔ ایسا لگتا تھا کہ عورت کا پردہ اورحیا ان تمام مذہبی اور لبرل سیاسی رہنماؤں کے لئے انتہائی اہم ہے۔

لیکن جناب عالی، ہم عورتوں کی عملی زندگیوں میں تو صورتحال اس سے یکسر مختلف ہے، اسی دیر میں جب عورتیں میلوں فاصلے پر سر پرگھر کی تمام ضروریات کے لئے پانی لاتی ہیں، جب گاؤں میں عورت مرد ڈاکٹر سے علاج کراتی ہے اور حتیٰ کہ پیدایشی عمل کے کیسسز کے لئے گاؤں کا مرد ڈسپنسر گھر آتا ہے تو کوئی بات نہیں، جب لڑکی میلوں پیدل سکول جاتی ہے کیونکہ یا تو والدین گاڑی کا خرچہ نہیں اٹھا سکتے یا عورتوں کے لئے مخصوص پبلک ٹرانسپورٹ موجود ہی نہیں جیسے کہ شہروں میں ہوتا ہے، اس دوران کسی مرد یا سیاسی رہنما کو نہ پردے کا خیال آتا ہے اور نہ حیا کا. 
یہ سب کچھ اس لئے بیان کیا جارہا ہے، کہ یہ صرف دیر کی کہا نی نہیں ہے بلکہ ذرا ایمانداری سے آپ سب کام لیں، غیر جانبدار ہو کر اپنے ارد گرد نگاہ دوڑائیں تو آپ کو اس جیسی ہزاروں مثالیں نظر ائیں گی، عورت کے لئے پردے، حیا اور گھر کی چار دیواری کو مقدم بناتے ہوئے تعلیم اور روزگار سے لے کر ​سیاست میں شرکت تک کو بے پردگی، بے حیائی اور معاشرے کے اقدار کے خلاف سمجھا جاتا ہے۔
بالکل صحیح ہے، ہم عورتوں کو بھی اپنی حیا، پردہ اور روایات اتنی ہی مقدم ہیں جتنی کہ ایک مرد کے لئے ہیں۔ لیکن ذرا ایک لمحے کو ٹھریے ہمارے لئے عورت ہو نے کے ناطے یہ زیادہ مقدم ہیں کیونکہ اس معاشرے میں جو مرد جنسی زیادتی کا مرتکب ہوتا ہے، مجر م وہ نہیں بلکہ وہ عورت سمجھی جاتی ہے جس کے ساتھ جنسی زیادتی ہوتی ہے۔ اس عورت کو نہ پھر جینے کا کوئی حق ہے، نہ شادی کا، نہ خاندان کا بلکہ وہ خاندان اور معاشرے کے منہ پرایک کالک سمجھی جاتی ہے۔
تو خواتین کو مردوں سے زیادہ اپنی حیا اور پردے کا خیال ہوتا ہے اور خواتین اس زیور کو متاعِ زندگی سمجھ کراس معاشرے کے بنائے گئے نظام میں زندگی بسر کرتی ہیں، حالانکہ اس نظام میں خواتین کی رائے یا سوچ، کوئی اہمیت رکھتی ہی نہیں۔ بہت ساری خواتین آپ مردوں کے بنائے ہوئے نظام میں اپنے پردے اور حیا کو متاعِ حیات سمجھتے ہوئے سارے سمجھوتے کیے ہوئے ہیں، ایک آدھ عورت کبھی کبھار آواز اٹھا لیتی ہے، کبھی کبھار اپنی عزت نفس کی سن کر، لیکن ہمیں اس کے بدلے خاندان اورمعاشرے کی مخالفت، بدکرداری، اوربے حیائی کی اسناد بھی وصول کرنی پڑتی ہیں۔
کچھ عورتیں اتنی دل برادشتہ ہیں کہ وہ فخر سے یہ اسناد لے لیتی ہیں اور عمر بھر کے لئے بدکردار اور بے حیا بن جاتی ہیں۔ لیکن مرد حضرات زیادہ فکر مند نہیں ہو، ایسی عورتیں ابھی بہت کم ہیں۔ زیادہ تر خواتین ابھی بھی خاموش ہیں اور باحیا اور باکردار معاشرے کے نظام کو تسلیم کرتے ہوئے اپنے حصے ​کا کردار نبھا رہی ہیں۔ لیکن نہیں، پردے اورحیا کے اقدار پر مبنی یہ رسم و راج صرف اور صرف ایک ڈھونگ ہے۔
پردے اورحیا کا جنازہ تو روز نکلتا ہے اور کوئی اور نہیں، مرد ہی نکالتا ہے یہ جنازہ۔ ابھی پچھلے دنوں ڈی ائی خان میں ایک بالغ لڑکی کو بالکل ننگا کرکے پورے بازار میں سرعام گھمایا گیا، کیوں؟ کوئی کچھ کہتا ہے تو کوئی کچھ۔ اس لڑکی کا خیال دل میں آتے ہوئے، اس اذیت کو ایک عورت ہونے کے ناطے محسوس کرتے ہوئے میرے رونگٹے کھڑے ہوتے ہیں۔ بھا ڑ میں جائے ایسا سماج اور اس کے باشندے۔ کس حیا کا درس دیتے ہو، آپ عزت دار اور با حیا مرد؟ کوئی مائی کا لال ہے جو آگے بڑھ کراس بچی کے سر پر اب ہاتھ رکھ سکے، اسے عزت دے سکے؟
کیا مردوں کا جب دل چاہے گا عورت کو باکردارہونے کا تمغہ دیں گے، اور جب دل کرے گا اسے سرِ بازار ننگا کر کے اپنی غیرت، شان اورمردانہ پن کی داد وصول کریں گے؟ ایک لحظہ کے لئے مان لیتے ہیں، کہ قصاص اور دیت کا تقاضہ ہے آنکھ کے بدلے انکھ، خون کے بدلے خون۔ آپ مردوں کی عدالت میں ڈی ائی خان کی اس معصوم بچی کا مقدمہ ہے، کیا آپ سب ان مردوں کو ننگا کرکے اسی بازار میں گمھانے کے دعویدار ​نہیں بنیں گے؟ کچھ تو آپ لوگ بھی حیا کریں، شرم کریں، اپنے گریبان میں جھانکیں۔ ڈریں اس دن سے جب عورتیں یک زبان ہوکرکہیں گی کہ نہیں چاہیے آپ کا یہ نظام، جس میں عورت کو آج بھی ایک باندی ہی سمجھا جاتا ہے۔ صبر، برداشت کی بھی ایک حد ہوتی ہے۔ عورتیں جس دن یک آواز ہوکر، آپ کے سماجی رویے اور صنفی استحصالی نظام کے خلاف ”نا“ کہیں گی، شاید تب ہی تم مردوں کو عورتوں کی طاقت کا اندازہ ہو سکے گا۔

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

An interview with UN-Women Pakistan





Meet Shad Begum who, despite being born and raised in a conservative area, didn’t back down from availing education, fighting the societal norms and championing women rights in her area – Swat. Her father and later her husband became her only support who didn’t let her follow the fate other girls of that area are destined to, rather they encouraged her to avail education- no matter how much people around bashed them for supporting Shad Begum in her 'nonconforming' endeavors.

Deeply impacted by the social inequalities and inspired by her father’s social work in her early age, Shad Begum opened her non-profit organization, Association for Behavior and Knowledge Transformation Official, to advance the economic and political empowerment of women and marginalized communities.

“We women need to understand our own worth, if we, ourselves, would underestimate our strength, potential, and self-respect - no one is ever going to accept us or give us space. We need to stand up for our rights, instead of waiting for somebody else to come and help us.”

In recognition of her untiring struggle for the economic and political empowerment of women and girls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, she was awarded the “International Woman of Courage Award” in 2012 by the U.S. Department of State. Shad Begum is an Ashoka, Acumen, and Regan Fascell Fellow at National Endowment for Democracy.

“The society we live in, men are the decision makers; until and unless we do not engage, sensitize and motivate men - not only to stop but also to stand against all forms of harassment/violence against women - we cannot eradicate violence against women."

https://www.facebook.com/unwomenpakistan/photos/a.1023751464420679.1073741828.1016540021808490/1341277866001369/?type=3&theater

Thursday, August 3, 2017

An interview with the English newspaper The Daily Times





Ms. Shad Begum's profile interview with the English Newspaper "Daily Times", Published on, August 3rd, 2017. 
Tell us about your venture into the field of social work. How did it begin for you?
In 1994, I was in grade 8 and I started attending meetings organized by the Idara-e-Khidmat-e-Khalq Talash (IKKT) – the organization for public service. IKKT was formed in 1970 as a welfare organization by my late uncle Dr. Dost Muhammad. It was registered with the government in 1979. My uncle, also my father-in-law, was educated and had a public service spirit. Unfortunately, he died in a road accident in 1987. My father had to carry forward his social work after his premature death. The role of IKKT was to bridge the gap between common and disadvantaged people and government departments. Initially, IKKT was approached by the men of that area for receiving services from government departments, but later women in the area started pouring in. However, IKKT had no female staff to communicate with the women. Cultural barriers prevented women from approaching IKKT, which was run by men only. To address this problem, my father and other members of IKKT engaged their wives, sisters, and daughters to enable local women to communicate with men and redress their problems. I think it was leading by an example to engage women directly in social welfare and paved the way for other women to get involved in public service. I got involved in the IKKT activities as a volunteer. My business experience and co-education background enabled me to confidently communicate with men, including men that were my senior. My mother also worked as a volunteer, but I was more active than all the other female volunteers. With the passage of time, the number of other active women increased to almost 20, and we felt the need to have our own organization. We registered Anjuman Behbood-e-Khawateen Talash (ABKT) in 1994. We opened an office of ABKT on the first floor of our Hujra, and I worked as the general secretary of ABKT, which was later, renamed the Association for Behaviour & Knowledge Transformation. With the passage of time, ABKT has been growing and expanding its outreach from villages to districts, districts to divisions and division to provinces. We have been actively working in the social, economic and political empowerment of marginalized communities especially women and youth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We have successfully completed a large number of projects and have served thousands of individuals during our interventions. Alongside the development interventions, our organization has been actively involved in providing humanitarian assistance both to man-made and natural disasters affected communities.
Hailing from Lower Dir, was it hard for a woman to be working and being actively involved in philanthropy? What challenges did you have to face initially and how did you overcome them?
It is very hard for women in our culture to work in any sector or field, as our society is still not very supportive and conducive to working women. We have still many stereotypes, like women should not work do social work, or stand up for human rights etc. Our society may accept a woman to become a teacher or a doctor but not a professional social worker or a leader. Having said that, yes, it was very hard for me to become a social worker and to get involved in philanthropy. People have been propagating negatively about me to prove me unacceptable and wrong. They have been targeting my family for being supportive towards me. I don’t think that we shouldn’t listen to criticism as listening to criticism helps us analyze ourselves. Though I have been listening to criticism, which wasn’t based on positivity, it was more based on that being a woman I should not ask for equality and empowerment, instead, I should keep quiet and should not resist. I have been critical to all those who stood against women’s rights and empowerment. Initially, there was more resistance but with the passage of time because of the work I have been doing for my communities, the acceptance of my work and me has been increasing. People from different areas now invite me to work with them and to help them in resolving their issues. The change that makes me happy is that now people are approaching me to help their women in resolving their various issues.
Your social work campaigning must take you far and wide throughout Pakistan. What has been the most memorable experience you’ve had in your career?
Yes, my work has been giving me various opportunities to travel, interact and work with different communities not only within Pakistan but around 18 countries all over the world. I have many memorable experiences throughout my career. However, I must say that I have been witnessing resistance, potentials, and courage among women and youth throughout my journey in every corner of Pakistan. The only thing we need both individually and collectively is that we need to support each other and must recognize and honor all those people who stood for helping and empowering others.
What is your vision for Pakistan and what does it mean to be Pakistani for you?
My vision for Pakistan is an equal, democratic, prosperous and peaceful society that guarantees equal opportunities for all citizens of Pakistan.
How supportive and encouraging has your family been throughout all your ventures?
Since the beginning, my immediate family has been very supportive. My father, brothers, and husband have been giving me the courage and strength to continue my struggle. They have always been criticised for being supportive towards me as our society generally do not like men giving freedom and equality to women. They like men who are controlling towards women. My family has always stood by me and supported me in my views. I am aware of the fact that there are many women and girls still struggling for their empowerment where they may not necessarily have the support from their families. I believe families must support their girls to explore their full potentials because family support is instrumental for anyone.
Has the government been instrumental in aiding your social work in any way?
We have been working for the last 20 years in remote, underdeveloped and conflict-affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the social, economic and political empowerment of local communities with a special focus on women, youth, and children. Our working approach is based on collaboration and partnership with the relevant stakeholders especially government institutions. We have successfully implemented and completed various projects in collaboration with different local and provincial government institutions in various sectors ie health, education, municipal services, drinking water supply, community infrastructure, humanitarian assistance, agriculture, livestock, elected councilors’ capacity building, voter registration, awareness about CNICs etc. Government support has been very instrumental in almost every situation for us, and this is why we have been engaged with government institutions at various levels. Because we do believe that government institutions are the ones who could help us in making the projects sustainable and more successful for the best interest of local communities.
You are the first university-educated female in your family. How important a role does education play in the field of social work?
Education is important in almost every aspect of life. In my social work career, of course, my education has been playing a vital role. I believe that education helps us widen our mental horizons to learn and replicate skills and knowledge. My thrust of further education has been always alive and I have the affirm determination to opt for a Ph.D. in the near future.
What according to you has been your biggest achievement so far?
Being a Pashtun woman, I have been challenging various stereotypes since the age of 19 when I started my career as a social worker. Though due to the deep-rooted patriarchy, it is still very critical for a woman to raise her voice and fight for her rights and equality, my struggle has been instrumental for voicing women’s and girls’ rights in our region. When I was given an international award in 2012 for my struggle for women’s political rights, I was happy for putting forward a milestone for women and girls in my country and giving the message about never giving up and believing in one’s self.
What motivates you to excel, no matter what?
I believe that I have had a very challenging life because of the nature of my work. Struggling for equality and women empowerment is yet crucial despite living in the 21st century. However, confronting challenges have made me more resistant and motivated to continue my struggle. I believe that there are challenges at every step you take, in every sector you choose to work. This doesn’t make any difference. What makes the difference is how you choose to respond to those challenges; either give up or explore your potentials and find your path towards achieving your goals. I have always strongly believed in myself and have always thought that I can do it.
We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?
Pakistan is always very fertile for leadership, although most of our leaders do not find recognition for being heroes or heroines. We as a nation must always respect and honor them. My heroes include my father Dr. Noor Muhammad, Quid-e-Azam, Bacha Khan, Ghani Khan, Abdul Satar Edhi and Allama Iqbal. My heroines are Malala Yousafzai, Benazir Bhutto, Asma Jahangir, Maryam Bibi and Rakhshanda Naz.
                               Achievement
A GO-GETTER


Social worker Shad Begum has always been ambitious and driven even as a child. She grew up in a province where working women were criticised and not supported at all. However, she broke the norms and became what she sought to be – an award-winning female social worker from KP.

A ROLE MODEL FOR ALL



Shad Begum is now hailed a hero in her home country. She is the voice and a true representative of suppressed girls and women and a strong advocate of their rights.

TOP OF HER GAME



Ignoring all the criticisms that came her way and the struggles she had to undertake, Shad only believed in herself and so today, she is the executive director of the Association for Behaviour & Knowledge Transformation, a dream she had as a child.

GLOBAL ICON



Shad has been recognized internationally for her social work in KP. She has been the prestigious Ashoka Fellow, the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow at NED as well as the Acumen Pakistan Fellow. Former US First Lady Michelle Obama and the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton awarded her with the International Women of Courage Award in 2012. 


Published in Daily Times, August 3rd, 2017. https://dailytimes.com.pk/122646/shad-begum/



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