APWA Pakistan – let us oppose to tribal interpretations of Islamm
By Milena
Rampoldi and Denise Nanni, ProMosaik. This week we talked to Ayesha Javeri, Executive
Vice President & V. P. UN & International Affairs of the All Pakistan
Women’s Association (APWA), a Pakistan NGO supporting women rights
in Pakistan. We talked to her about the importance of associations for women to
empower them and help them to oppose to gender-based violence and oppression.
The problem in Pakistan are the tribal interpretations of Islam we have to
struggle against for the liberation of Muslim women.
Rampoldi and Denise Nanni, ProMosaik. This week we talked to Ayesha Javeri, Executive
Vice President & V. P. UN & International Affairs of the All Pakistan
Women’s Association (APWA), a Pakistan NGO supporting women rights
in Pakistan. We talked to her about the importance of associations for women to
empower them and help them to oppose to gender-based violence and oppression.
The problem in Pakistan are the tribal interpretations of Islam we have to
struggle against for the liberation of Muslim women.
Why do you think is important for
women to gather and to organize themselves into associations? What are the
effects on them and on the civil society?
women to gather and to organize themselves into associations? What are the
effects on them and on the civil society?
Obviously
there is strength in numbers, especially if they have the same outlook. A
strong umbrella keeps out the rain of prejudice and discrimination which women
have been showered with for centuries and now their voices are being heard. The effects on women has given them courage
to persevere as compatriots are
supporting them, and civil society is becoming aware of the injustices meted
out to women.
there is strength in numbers, especially if they have the same outlook. A
strong umbrella keeps out the rain of prejudice and discrimination which women
have been showered with for centuries and now their voices are being heard. The effects on women has given them courage
to persevere as compatriots are
supporting them, and civil society is becoming aware of the injustices meted
out to women.
According to your experience,
what are the main obstacles to women’s empowerment and what are the most
effective ways in order to promote women’s empowerment?
what are the main obstacles to women’s empowerment and what are the most
effective ways in order to promote women’s empowerment?
I live in the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my experience the obstacles in my country
are mainly due to a tribal concept of the religion Islam. This is barrier dominate in the north and in
rural distant villages. The cities are
more in harmony with a true analysis of the position of women in society as
expressed in Islam, during the Prophets life.
Then women had an identity, could own property and do business, could
treat males injured in wars and could refuse a marriage not to their
liking. In the tribal areas, women are
shadows, no ID cards, no property therefore, and used as bargain pieces to
patch up clan feuds. The spirit of Islam
has not penetrated past the tribal frame even though they are praying five
times a day and are God fearing people.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my experience the obstacles in my country
are mainly due to a tribal concept of the religion Islam. This is barrier dominate in the north and in
rural distant villages. The cities are
more in harmony with a true analysis of the position of women in society as
expressed in Islam, during the Prophets life.
Then women had an identity, could own property and do business, could
treat males injured in wars and could refuse a marriage not to their
liking. In the tribal areas, women are
shadows, no ID cards, no property therefore, and used as bargain pieces to
patch up clan feuds. The spirit of Islam
has not penetrated past the tribal frame even though they are praying five
times a day and are God fearing people.
Purely non
Political we intervene for HR in war zone especially for the women and girl
child.
Political we intervene for HR in war zone especially for the women and girl
child.
UN gives us
technical support how to organize Conferences to project our views as we did in
2005 in Islamabad for M.D.G’s taking 3 major ones.
technical support how to organize Conferences to project our views as we did in
2005 in Islamabad for M.D.G’s taking 3 major ones.
Women &
girl child, health, education and empowerment.
girl child, health, education and empowerment.
International
Net Working shows the experience receiving support and strength in World Conferences,
make resolutions that help us to implement them in our land. To improve the
situation some educated person need to translate the truth from actual verses
of the Koran which gives all the Human Rights to us. Even death for adultery, part of most Arab
Countries, is nowhere expressed in the Scripture Book. It is public humiliation by so soft lashes.
Net Working shows the experience receiving support and strength in World Conferences,
make resolutions that help us to implement them in our land. To improve the
situation some educated person need to translate the truth from actual verses
of the Koran which gives all the Human Rights to us. Even death for adultery, part of most Arab
Countries, is nowhere expressed in the Scripture Book. It is public humiliation by so soft lashes.
Do you think it is important to
establish transnational connections with similar organizations? Why?
establish transnational connections with similar organizations? Why?
The world is
global now thanks to the marvels of the Internet. We are so many N.G.O’s linked to
International women’s organization, we stand in the assembly of nations and
show the cruelty being done to women and the violation of Human Rights. Then the peer pressure works. The nations that did not give the vote to
women, allowed female mutilation and other Kara Kari, murder of two lovers—
are shamed and forced to change these laws or at least impose punishments for
their breakage.
global now thanks to the marvels of the Internet. We are so many N.G.O’s linked to
International women’s organization, we stand in the assembly of nations and
show the cruelty being done to women and the violation of Human Rights. Then the peer pressure works. The nations that did not give the vote to
women, allowed female mutilation and other Kara Kari, murder of two lovers—
are shamed and forced to change these laws or at least impose punishments for
their breakage.
Can you tell me more about the
Jail project?
Jail project?
APWA has set an
Industrial Home in Jail which helps women prisoners to learn to sew and knit.
This builds their confidence and enhances their skills which they can put to
work to make an honest living when free or in the Confinement. A teacher
oversees the products made by them that are exhibited and sold. The visitor’s
are very happy with APWA’s craft which are prepared by the women inmates in
which APWA is empowering women.
Industrial Home in Jail which helps women prisoners to learn to sew and knit.
This builds their confidence and enhances their skills which they can put to
work to make an honest living when free or in the Confinement. A teacher
oversees the products made by them that are exhibited and sold. The visitor’s
are very happy with APWA’s craft which are prepared by the women inmates in
which APWA is empowering women.
APWA’s
aim is to provide the women prisoners with free material so that they are more
motivated towards work and can earn a handsome amount of money for personal
needs.
aim is to provide the women prisoners with free material so that they are more
motivated towards work and can earn a handsome amount of money for personal
needs.
Every year on special
occasion APWA sends its dedicated senior members to distribute gifts and monies
to the women and children inmates.
occasion APWA sends its dedicated senior members to distribute gifts and monies
to the women and children inmates.
They have some financial rewarding work
to relieve the monotony of the time. A small school has been opened there and a
member of APWA helps there.
to relieve the monotony of the time. A small school has been opened there and a
member of APWA helps there.
How do you cooperate with the UN?
We were
founded in 1949 by Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan wife of the Prime Minister, a
dedicated lady and the First Asian Women to receive the Human Rights Award. We
have Consultative Status II with the UN. We have representatives in New York who attend Conferences, and also
members who are actively participating in events all over the world.
founded in 1949 by Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan wife of the Prime Minister, a
dedicated lady and the First Asian Women to receive the Human Rights Award. We
have Consultative Status II with the UN. We have representatives in New York who attend Conferences, and also
members who are actively participating in events all over the world.
APWA is the
largest N.G.O. in Pakistan and we are supported by the Government on issues
that are non-political but are of Human Rights. We are completely transparent and
our audits are on the website.
largest N.G.O. in Pakistan and we are supported by the Government on issues
that are non-political but are of Human Rights. We are completely transparent and
our audits are on the website.
