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.”
Danny, you are right in that there are a lot of differences between how jirgas andd panchayats work. In fact, different panchayats also work very differently. But I wonder if your desire to “teach lessons” to certian parts make much sense, because then no one will be spared. Jirga approved honor killings, for example, are not uncommon in NWFP. My Pakhtun friends tell me they are NOT part of Pakhtunwali. Is he right? If so, why woudl the Jirga approve it? According to one repot a Jirga in Upper Dir “not only endorsed the centuries-old custom of putting to death a woman that the family considers dishonourable, but declared that those responsible were not liable for punishment.”
see http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33217
I do think they also be taught lessons, but lessons of human respect, and not the ones you seemed to be implying.
Saifulmaluk, They are not the same thing. As i told you before. As a Pakhtun i would consider it an insult, but as a Pakistani i consider it my duty to give you more knowledge on this issue. A Panchayat is 5 villages of which the chosen council has almost unlimited power in making decisions which affect the lives of the villagers. A Jirga is a decision by those Maliks of a tribe with influence who judge according to Pakhtunwali and cannot oppose the law of Pakhtunwali. That is why i said a Jirga could not make that decision. I did not mean that normally Jirgas and Panchayats don’t make these decisions, what I meant was that its not possible for a Jirga to make this decision as Pakhtunwali does not allow it. THe Panchayat on the other hand has free reign to make these decisions (Although you are right, no Panchayat would make this decision normally, as the system would break down). It’s just that they do not judge according to a certain law but according to circumstances. I would appreciate it if the writer of the article would change the word Jirga to Panchayat to more accurately reflect the facts in this matter. THank you.
Dear All,
ANAA, Asian American Network against abuse of Human Rights, is holding a rally to “repeal Hudood Ordinanceâ€
Danny,you need not feel insulted. Jirga and Punchayat are the same thing — a collection of village elders. In Pushtoon areas they are called jirgas while in Punjab they are called Punchayats. Both are pre-Islamic and have nothing to do with any religion. It is true that a normal Jirga would not sanction rape as a punishment. Nor would a normal Punchayat. In this particular case it was a collection of rivals or a “rogue Punchayat”, if you will, who did this. It was not a recognized Punchayat of the village.
Secondly, one doesn’t eliminate crime by using the army to “teach a lesson” to people at large. Crime can only be minimized, if not eliminated, is by applying the law — and protecting the victim, not the criminals.
Interesting article, but i had one complaint. You mentioned she was punished by a rival tribe in a Jirga. THat it not factual at all. As a Pakhtun i take that as an insult, and as a Pakistani, i find it strange that you do not know your own territory. She was punished by a village Panchayat, which is an ancient pre-Islamic institution from india. You want to know the difference between the two visit punjab to see a Panchayat in action, then visit FATA to see a Jirga. A Jirga would never make such a decision. In fact, Jirgas are known to make fairer and more just decisions on the frontier than any british common law court. Also, I do no t believe that the extent to which this Mukhtaran mai business has gone was her decision or under her control. I think all this has overwhelmed her and her life is no longer under her control but under the control of various groups, both domestic and foreign that want certain policies/agendas pushed forward. There is not one person in Pakistan, or rather the world, who upon hearing of her plight did not feel sorry for her. I do believe though, that she is being made into something bigger than she really is, and the way she is being projected is not accurate. Also, it is funny how the biggest rape cases(except the recent Balochistan case)in the past few years in which women were “punished” by panchayats and publically humiliated (there are more than just mukhataran mai) all originate within one radius in punjab (multan). Perhaps this area needs to be taught a lesson, thoroughly punished by the Army.