WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN PAKISTAN

Last week President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan encountered strong opposition in his attempt to pass the Women’s Protection Bill. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, an alliance of religious parties, is fighting hard to derail the legislation. Some members of the coalition governing the country also oppose the measure.

The Women’s Protection Bill intends to minimize the wrongful treatment of women. Back in 1979, President Zia ul-Haq passed the Hudood Ordinance. Since then, the jailing of women accused of adultery is commonplace. The “justice” system there does not need much in the form of evidence to prosecute them. It favors the male accuser, even when the latter has an obvious ax to grind. That a disgruntled husband may initiate the inquiry does not seem to throw a red flag indicating the accusation may be false, and influencing the decision of the courts.

Married women who report a rape must prove they were the victims of rape. Otherwise, the system can jail them and prosecute them as adulterers. How does a woman prove she was the victim of rape? Four adult witnesses are necessary. Just think about that. How often does a rapist perform his crime in front of a witness, much less an audience of four?

Governments of the 21st century must adopt modern and sensible penal codes. There should be no Islamic states. Some aspects of the sharia (Islamic Law) go against reasonable standards of punishment for offenders. In addition, the violation of women’s rights must cease. Women are entitled to equality in the eyes of men and before God. The daughters of God should walk side by side with the sons of God, not behind them. That is what a good God would want. If Allah is a good God, then such is God’s will, regardless of what the Koran says or what Muhammad wrote. If Allah is not a good God, then we do not owe him obedience or allegiance. In either case, we must do what we know is right.

Suggested reading: Ercian Testament - Part Two, chapter 16 “Man-God Relationships.”