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.”
No Bushra Adnan probably knows that Asma and Hina were always against Tribal Chiefs like Bugti and any other and today when he is killed they found another story to get a profit out of it. I wish they do sincerely feel bad on his tragic death and a false act of our govt.
Oh yeah, thanks alot Eidee Man, DrPak who understood the context of my comment and gave an appropriate reply to Aalia. I only add one thing here that being a woman its shameful for me to not take a stand for another woman who suffers from some evil acts of our society. Its against my profession and my education in human rights. About Saima’s case you can get enough details on guru google but I may tell you that I worked at Nighat Said’s (a best friend of Asma and Hina) organisation for a month. It was Nighat who told me the story that how they are winning the case by telling Saima to wear western clothes and give this and that statement to newspapers and though Saima did not want to do many things but she had to do that…
It was clear to me that Nighat would never talked to police against her friends on my request, especially when they all were the fish of same pond.
Today I do see that its my obligation to tell donor NGos to not give the funds in wrongs hands. And I am glad there are some sincere local NGOs in Pakistan though they are small but they do alot for women and children of our country and best part is that they do not build a huge red buliding as an office in lahore for them by getting funds from GTZ and other donors but collect money at community base and serve the community with complete transparency and moral values.
She deserves a huge round of applause for how she has shown her resitance against the worst Jirga system. why dont our government make any rules for the idiot people (Members of Jirga) of these areas.
well done Mukhtaran mai for your all good work & best wishes for your blog. she has become a star for the women of the rural areas. Allah bless her.
[quote comment=”2334″]Is Asma and Her sister hina doing something good these days?Last time I heard they were mourning on Bugti’s death.[/quote]
Adnan Bhai, is mourning over someone’s death a bad thing? I hope not.
Miss.Khan I agree with you.
Aalia, I think you got Saadia’s post all wrong (maybe on purpose)
Maybe she is right hand of Asma Jehangir *grin*
Is Asma and Her sister hina doing something good these days?Last time I heard they were mourning on Bugti’s death.
I respect and admire Mukhtaran Mai for her courage to stand up against the odds and fight for her rights. No doubt, she stands tall as a pillar of hope for the women in despair. She is out there, upfront saying no to oppression and abuse. It takes a lot to do that!
Rape is a heinous crime and it should be condemned no matter where it happens…Pakistan, India, America, or any other country. Just look at the following statistics:
UK:
http://www.cer.truthaboutrape.co.uk/3.html
The Campaign to End Rape (CER) Website reports about 12,354 rape offences in 2003-04 (only the reported cases).
USA:
http://www.rainn.org/statistics/index.html
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
“Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted. In 2003-2004, there were an average annual 204,370 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault”.
These are eye-opening numbers. It happens everywhere, but unfortunately Pakistan is being projected in a negative way as if it is the only place on earth where such crimes are happening. Such victims exist in every country hoping for a better tomorrow. With Mai’s struggles, perhaps that tomorrow is possible.