Problem Of Gender Identity In Pakistan

Abstract

Gender identity is one of the major causes in the world as well as in individual countries and if we look at Pakistan, this country has many issues in which gender identity is also one of the problems. To tackle that problem of gender identity in Pakistan, aurat march took place by the famous ngo and different ngo also came to participate in it. This concept of gender identity is closely related to the notion of gender role, which is well-defined as the outer manifestations and appearances of personality that replicate the gender identity.

Aurat March literally refers to clashes in various cities of Pakistan to observe International Women's Day on March 8th, and motto by this women collectively called Hum Auratein (We the Women). Aurat march has their slogan ‘mera jism meri marzi’ (my body, my right) but regarding it many protests, criticisms and complaints by the Pakistani people took place.

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Keywords: Pakistan, gender identity, aurat march, We the Women, my body, my right

Gender Identity

If you have a gender identity, so every human does. There are many different definitions about gender identity because according to me it is defined as different views about different gender. In simple words, how people perceive each other meaning different sex groups.

This concept of gender identity is closely related to the notion of gender role, which is well-defined as the outer manifestations and appearances of personality that replicate the gender identity. Thus, gender role is often an outward expression of gender identity, but not necessarily so. In most persons, gender identity and gender role are agreeable.

Gender identity literally means a person's awareness of having a particular sexual category, which may or may not resemble with their natal sex. A person’s intrinsic sense of being male (a boy or a man), female (a girl or woman), or an alternative gender (e.g., boygirl, girlboy, transgender, genderqueer,

Gender and Identity in Pakistan

The status of women in Pakistan is one of systemic gender subordination even though it varies considerably across classes, regions, and the rural/urban divide due to uneven socioeconomic development and the impact of tribal, feudal, and capitalist social formations on women's lives

In recent months media coverage of Pakistan has been filled with images with PSL, coronavirus that has become pandemic and now recently aurat march that has specially that Khalil-ur-Rahman had made famous “mera jism meri marzi”

Gender identity is the huge issue in Pakistan as it is an Islamic state and even transgender people are not happy with the liabilities provided to them because people of Pakistan does not want to change their mind even when women is being harassed, raped and murdered in front of many eyes. No wonder then that banditry, abductions, kidnappings, and violent crime have seen a previously unimaginable climb since 1977.

Before, in Pakistani history there had been one or many such a direct assault cases on women’s corporeal realities that are reported or even unreported to the officials and authorities.

In this situation initiatives by human rights groups in Pakistan, including various women’s organizations and those struggling for democratic rights for all segments of the population, are a significant step forward.

Duties of women in Pakistan

1. Dress accordingly which means everything should be hidden from up to bottom.
2. Women should know how to cook food.
3. Women should know how to obey and respect their in laws.
4. Women should get married at young age.
5. Women should know how to take care and grow a child
6. Women should always be locked in the house
7. No education for women is allowed in Pakistan.
8. Every day when women is busy walking on the road she always be harassed by onlookers.
9. Women always experience biased attitude towards male gender by all generations.
10. Women also will experience that she cannot do a job or always ask permission from her husband or his family to do a job.

Aurat march: slogan ‘mera jism meri marzi’

Aurat March refers to protests organized in various cities of Pakistan including Lahore Hyderabad, Karachi and Islamabad to observe International Women's Day on March 8th, and motto by this women collectively called Hum Auratein (We the Women).

The march called for more accountability and liability for fierceness against women, and to support for women who experience violence and harassment at the hands of security forces, in public spaces, at home, and at the workplace. Women (as well as men) carried posters bearing phrases such as ‘Ghar ka Kaam, Sab ka Kaam’, and ‘Women are humans, not honour’ became a rallying cry.

For the past two years, it has been organized to coincide with the International Women's Day on March 8, which is also the scheduled date for the rally this year.

This year, March's manifesto revolves around khudmukhtari (independence) of women.

Demands of the aurat march

1. The manifesto demanded that safe and equal workplaces be provided through criminalization of discrimination
2. Defamation laws be decriminalized.
3. Domestic violence be criminalized in all territories.
4. Anti-harassment laws and sexual assault laws be amended to and include all genders to be complainants
5. Concrete actions be taken to curb child sexual abuse and exploitation.
6. Justice for all the families of those who have been victims of enforced disappearances.
7. Community-led truth and reconciliation commissions be made to deal with violence by state and non-state actors.
8. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2017 be implemented9. all laws impinging on civic freedoms be repealed
9. The preservation of, and transparency from big corporations on the use of, our natural resources.
10. Demanding bodily rights was a basic human right, regardless of age.

Slogan ‘mera jism meri marzi’:

There was also some objections relayed to the committee regarding their slogan ‘mera jism meri marzi’ (my body, my right). An argument ensued following which women activists began chanting the slogan loudly, especially as they were being pushed to admit whether this slogan was part of their manifesto or not.

Farida Shaheed said it was obvious that those who proudly claimed they were anti-Aurat March did not even understand what the slogan meant.

Criticism on aurat march

This year, organizers are seeing a strong reaction even before the march. A controversial drama series that ended in January has already started a debate on feminism and the Aurat March. The series, “Meray Paas Tum Ho” (I Have You), Yet at the same time, feminists took to social media to call out the show for its misogynist dialogue and plot. The controversy took another turn when the writer, Khalilur ur Rehman Qamar, began appearing on talk shows criticizing the Aurat March, feminism, and women rights activists for bringing a “Western agenda” into Pakistan.The march’s critics often claim that women in Pakistan enjoy the utmost rights. They reject all negative reports on poor gender equality in the country, calling them propaganda against Pakistan. Critics of the Aurat March often say that it does not highlight real issues of Pakistani women. Talking on the subject, Hassan said that every issue is a real issue. Ghani said those who think the Aurat March does not highlight the real issues of Pakistani women have probably missed out on the event. She invites them to attend this year’s march. ()

Supporter’s arguments on aurat march:

Aurat March organizers are asking lawmakers with a pro-women approach to come and support their cause. Chairman the Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Zardari Bhutto has assured his support to them. Pakistan People’s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto has pledged that the PPP will fully support the Aurat March and said no maulana, politician and anchorperson can stop women from holding the march. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Aurat March. The resolution was moved by a woman parliament, Rehana Ismail, who said that the demands made at the march about women empowerment were “un-Islamic and shameful. “Prime minister's assistant Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan promised to extend complete support for the upcoming Aurat March provided it 'does not trample on Pakistan's honour'. She pointed out that the Constitution provided protection and rights to women and that it was the aim of the government to make women independent. Ghani said those who think the Aurat March does not highlight the real issues of Pakistani women have probably missed out on the event. She invites them to attend this year’s march.

Supporter’s arguments on aurat march

Aurat March organizers are asking lawmakers with a pro-women approach to come and support their cause. Chairman the Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Zardari Bhutto has assured his support to them. Pakistan People’s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto has pledged that the PPP will fully support the Aurat March and said no maulana, politician and anchorperson can stop women from holding the march.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Aurat March. The resolution was moved by a woman parliament, Rehana Ismail, who said that the demands made at the march about women empowerment were “un-Islamic and shameful.”

Prime minister's assistant Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan promised to extend complete support for the upcoming Aurat March provided it 'does not trample on Pakistan's honour'. She pointed out that the Constitution provided protection and rights to women and that it was the aim of the government to make women independent.

Ghani said those who think the Aurat March does not highlight the real issues of Pakistani women have probably missed out on the event. She invites them to attend this year’s march.

Analysis: liberties for Pakistani aurat

1. Domestic violence should be taken under considerations and strict rules should be imposed against them.
2. An aurat should be treated equally and all women should stand beside the males.
3. Women should not be forced to do any work.
4. Rules and laws should be made that no male would blame a women for any harassment, assault, murder or rape.
5. Education should be important and significant for all women living in Pakistan.

References

1. Bilal, March 03, 2020. ‘Aurat March can’t be stopped under Constitution’, Page 1
2. Our Correspondent, March 6, 2020. No Maulana, politician or anchor can stop Aurat March: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Page 1
3. Tehreem Azeem, March 02, 2020. Pakistani Women Are Ready for Another Aurat March. Is Pakistan? , Page 1