Mukhtaran Mai is a name familiar to most Pakistanis. In 2002, she was raped by 4 men from a rival tribe as per the decision of local elders in a tribal jirga. The story of the jirga decision is a fascinating tale itself in how our judicial and extra-judicial systems sometimes work in rural Pakistan.
While many women quietly suffer an ill fate at the hands of such tribal decisions, and sometimes committ suicide from the ’shame’, Mukhtaran Mai fought back. Her prepetrators of the crime were tried in the anti-terrorism courts and death sentences were handed down to the guilty. Since then, the judicial process has taken the case back and forth and most recently the Supreme Court has decided in her favor.
Mukhtaran Mai has become a symbol of resistance and hope for women in Pakistan, and all over the muslim world. In addition to fighting the case in courts, she has become a movement for bringing education to her village, and attention to the broader issue of women’s rights in Pakistan. She buillt the first two schools in her local village of Meerwala, in Southern Punjab and now campaigns internationally.
But now one can read a weekly blog by Mukhataran Mai, her own own internet diary about her life, her village, and the work she is doing internationally to promote women’s causes. Her blog is in urdu and is hosted by the BBC Urdu service. Since Mukhataran cannot read or write, she tells her stories to a local BBC journalist, who types it up as a web diary.
About her blog, she says:
“Mostly I talk about incidents which are cruel and painful. I try to discuss only the most serious things in my blog: the poor treatment of women, sometimes leading to killing,” she says.
“I sometimes talk about my childhood memories - events that take place at my schools; or perhaps just about the household chores.”
“I don’t think that the people in our village know what it’s all about and what I am writing. But I’ve received a few e-mails from other places - people who have reading my blog on line and who encourage me to continue.”
Mukhataran Mai’s presence on the web, in the form of a blog, is a wonderful reminder of how digital access can open doors for a better communication between people lwho otherwise may never meet each other. Mukhataran’s audience is global, and while most support her cause, not all people agree with the path she has chosen; some may not even sympathize with her. But at least a healthy discussion is happening where a village woman can be a party to share her thoughts and opinions. Even about the naysayers, she says:
“It’s their kindness that they read the material. I am grateful to them. They encourage me to continue in my work in the village, and for women everywhere in Pakistan.”
How Mai’s case in Supreme court stands now? Can any body tell me? Mai herself seems to have lost interest in her case after her marriage with Gabol. But what about the accused poor Mastoies still languishing in the jail perhaps who could not be bailed out even? What a justice it is? Where are the NGOs, the media and the satanic Kristofer? Should we wait for the Taliban to come and provide justice to the male gender? Isn’t it shameful for the CJ also who capped this case with his suo motu martial law?
My point is that the world at large, especially the West and the urban media, cannot understand the rural tribal culture under feudal set-up in Punjab. Just see Mai’s recent marriage. She has, as they say in Punjabi, ‘bhari manji te dhathi ey’ (She has fallen on already a full bed) as she has married a man who is already married having a full family, a wife and a number of children. And what an excuse she gives for it for marrying a man who threatens to divorce his first wife and to commit suicide (As he is actually stated to have attempted) if Mai does not marry him. Since she has been made an icon by the media what moral and cultural signal she is conveying to the society at large by creating such a fuss.
“Sab maaya he” as Attaullah Niazi sings and “Wa mal hayatuddunia illa mattaul-gharoor” (Aur dunevi zindgi kia he bas dhoke ki tatti he) as the Quran-Hakeem says.
Congratulations to Mukhtar Mai on her marriage.
She deserves happiness after all she has been through. I hope people will not drag her through teh mud again on this. That woudl be petty.