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.”
I think Mukhtaran Mai is an extraordinary woman. I remember when I first read of her story when it broke on the front page of The News. I was absolutely horrified and hoped that this tradegy would not be ignored like so many others in this country.
Having said that, I can appreciate Saadia’s words. She’s not speaking against Mai, or even the Mai case in particular, but against those NGOs who look at Mai and see not a travesty of justice, but an opportunity to get more funds for themselves. There are thousands and thousands of NGOs in Pakistan, and for the large part, they have failed to gain the trust of the public at large. These places are unregulated and unchecked and there is nothing in place stopping them from manipulating situations and garnering press attention simply so they can project themselves as sole defenders women’s rights in Pakistan and thereafter recieve lots of funds for themselves.
That being said, I don’t mean to discount the good work many NGOs are doing here in Pakistan, but we need to acknowledge that there are NGOs out there that are in it for themselves.
Regardless of what women right NGOs do, sati in India etc., Mukhtaran Mai should be applauded for standing up. And its not like that she is washing dirty linen in public. Believe me we have a lot of politicians, government officials, exiled leaders who have nothing better to do then to criticize the country.
So I would suggest that we should get off the back of Mukhtaran Mai and let her do the work she is doing. Its more than any of us has ever done. BBC might have its own ax to grind but we can ignore that.
Aalia, I think you got Saadia’s post all wrong (maybe on purpose). No one is arguing that Pakistani women are getting their rights or that there should be no reports on these issues. But, living in the U.S., I can tell you that
Pakistan is the target of character assassinations ALL THE TIME. It frustrates and angers many Pakistanis when the all they hear about Pakistan is “not doing enough against terrorism,” “support for Osama Bin Laden,” “most dangerous place in the world for westerners,” and “a culture where women can be beaten up for going to school,” etc etc.
In contrast, India is portrayed as this haven where all 1.1 billion people seem to have “good karma.” I read BBC-South Asia daily and I’ve seen many stories of women being abused belief, children being the target “religious” burnings, etc etc….but never have I seen the same stories mentioned on CNN, Fox, or any other news channel. But if some crazy mullah even makes a threat, you can bet that it;s going to be carried by all of the news networks.
Pakistan has a lot of problems and the society itself has a lot to learn, but for once I’d like to hear a few kind words about Pakistanis who themselves have been victims of terrorism.
Saadia, no I do not get your point at all. Please expalin. What has Sati in India got to do with Pakistan or with Mukhtar Mai? Or are you saying that you would have preferred if her rape had gone unreported and her rapists gone free rather than the media in Pakistan and abroad write about this injustice? Also, you mention the issue of Saima without full details. Are you saying that you have first hand knowledge of this case. Which NGO did you work with? Are you saying that you yourself heard Asma Jehangir or Hina Jillani or someone else ask her to lie. Who? When? If so you have an obligation to go to the police and report them for what would be a crime.
I agree with you Bilal but I do not trust the women rights NGO’s of Pakistan especially the one made by some popular women of Pakistan. I worked with one of that NGO in Lahore and witnessed many nasty things, which made me to resign after a month. If you remember the case of Saima and Arshad, it was very much made up by the specific women rights group and one NGO in Lahore. Actually it happened many times that Saima did not say what these ladies told to media. Sure she wanted to marry Arshad but not by showing her father as an evil in public eyes and when she tried to object the false story which they made but they zipped her mouth by telling her that how helpless she could be in society if they left her. Infact with that case women rights NGO got alot of international attention and also earned alot of money on women rights issue in Pakistan.
Helping a poor woman is infact a very good cause but misusing her situation and herself to make your business is very immoral. And unfortunately in Pakistan many women rights NGOs do cross the limit of good cause and use it as a mean of getting international funds. But I hope that Mukhtaran Mai’s case is the different one. On the other hand I wonder why BBC or Amnesty International and many more human righst NGOs do not point out the recent case of Sati in India??? I hope my friends here you got my point….