Being Woman

by Sarah Ali Bhutto
(Karchi,Pakistan)

Islam has given a precious place to women but still today we are fighting for Women’s Rights. So a question arises here: are we really giving her the due significance which she deserves? By observing the circumstances occurring around us I want to show you a glimpse of a real woman. I myself as a young woman have seen many ups and downs in my life and gone through many ache-some circumstances which have taught me many lessons of being a woman.

What is a woman? A human creature? A daughter, a wife or a mother? As a young women I often find myself struggling in a world made up of conflicting messages about what a woman is, or what she should be. It is the people around us that continue to reinforce the misguide views about women, especially when it comes to their place in society. Now-a-days women have rights, but unfortunately, the notions about a woman's place in society are still conflicted.

Another question that I want to raise is: why women are confined to their homes? Is a woman's existence confined only to her home, her being a wife, a mother? What is the right time for her to live out her dreams? Many women prioritize their family over their work, dreams and ambition. But there comes a time when the routine has been set and the bird is ready to fly from the nest and then she discovers that she has forgotten about her existence and she should begin to redefine the purpose of her life. Sometimes the change is rarely accepted. It has been taken for granted that what has been happening for so long should continue to go on. Irrespective of the fact that others have moved on.

Sad but true that the very same intelligent woman who took the decision to sacrifice her desires, putting the needs of her family before anything else is suddenly given to feel that she is incompetent to face the world outside. The idea that women should be boxed up inside the home because that's the way it is "supposed" to be is archaic. Women are every bit as competent as men. Women as a whole, belong out in the world where they can shine to be the best at whatever they want to be. To me, a woman is everything. She is sensitive and assertive, she is beautiful and unique. She is God's creation just like man is, and she should never be set apart or excluded from anything that she wants to do.

There has been a long standing debate over the importance of women role at workplace or home. The belief that working mothers can not raise their children as well as stay at home mothers is a general assumption based on a nonfactual conclusion. The most important battle in feminism today is the one enabling and improving women to detach themselves from the labels created by the so called traditional culture and instead define their life with their choices. An identity should be a person's own choosing rather than a norm that was only invented to restrict women from living their life.

At each phase of her life, she realizes that being a girl is her biggest disadvantage and these thoughts create a sense of resentment that she feels towards man and society. Because she feels that she will not be allowed to grow independently as she lives in a male dominant society. The reason for the discrimination and the discrepancy is because of the fact that ever since our creation education has never been our priority. There’s an English proverb which states:

“If you educate a boy you’re educating a single individual and if you educate a girl you’re are educating the whole family.”

Nations that have given regard and importance to education are not facing the problems which our women face on a daily basis because; they allow their women to work shoulder to shoulder with their men. Our religion emphasizes on the education of women but, still we fail to give her the equal rights and status.

In conclusion, I extremely believe in women's power and potentials in order to make the world a better place for living. It is quite clear that parents should encourage their daughters from early years to participate in communities which will lead them to their bright future. Women are active members of our society, yet we have not succeeded in according them the status they deserve. There is an immediate need to associate our women with all the major development activities in our society. Much has been done for women's right in terms of law but there are still many social limitations placed on women. There is no doubt that men and women are biologically and physically unequal but that in no way means that they should be socially unequal.

As Quaid-e-Azam said in a speech in 1944: "No nation can rise to glory unless your women are side by side with you; we are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners."


Disclaimer: This article has been written by the author in her personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the website.