Huzaima Bukhari
“A woman is like a tea bag—you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water”—Eleanor Roosevelt
By and large human beings are equipped with the strength of resolve that is in the range of being docile to highly determined. This means that if they set their minds to it, they can achieve what they desire—some in a short time and some after prolonged struggle.
The quest for achievement is directly proportional to the strength of resolve and relatively proportional to prevailing circumstances, which together create the environment for creativity as well as ambitions, Take the example of a seed when placed in soil. That frail looking creature defies all norms of energy, breaking through the tough earth, exposing its countenance and eventually emerging into a grandiose existence that would most probably become a source of comfort to the world. Such is its might!
No living being is without its inert potential to create, to beautify and glorify its purpose in this world. The big missing link is self-realization, which does not come naturally but has to be developed by looking inwards. Outsiders may be able to discern the hidden talent but no matter how much effort they may exert to extract, it cannot come to fruition unless the gifted themselves become conscious. Only then can they seriously nurture that ability allowing it to bloom to the fullest.
Throughout eons of human civilization different eras have witnessed different types of societies with either paternal or maternal influence occurring intermittently. They thrived, prospered and perished then rose up again from the ashes in different parts of the world. Among the chief distinguishing features, the principal one is the prevalence of peace and war during matriarchy and patriarchy respectively. Perhaps this is because men are from the warrior planet Mars and women from planet Venus, symbolizing love. Nonetheless, as is apparent even as of today, countries led by women are less aggressive compared to ones where men are in power.
As an example, the former prime minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern set very high moral standards for all those male leaders of the world, who are quick to pounce on any opportunity to cause war, hatred, destruction and create politics of revenge, prejudice and discrimination. During the 2019 mosque attacks, she proved that the capability of a strong and devoted leader can have an extremely positive impact on the lives of people as against narrowed, impulsive and short-sightedness of some irrational ones in the aftermath of 9/11, whose actions left nothing but scars, irreparable losses and a hellish world.
Women have forever been the subject of stories, art, poetry and gossip. They have been idolized, objectified and demonized. From mythological depictions of innocence to monstrous hydra; from virginity to promiscuity; from piety to godlessness—all kinds of characteristics have been attributed to them.
During periods of male domination, women have endured many hardships including suppression, oppression, physical and mental tortures, deprivation of fundamental rights, discrimination and prevention from exercising choices. As a consequence they were compelled to formulate their own recipes for survival that comprised not only playing the victim card but also engage in intrigues related to domestic and power politics.
However, with onset of the twenty first century, woman today has emerged in a totally unique image that resonates strength, compassion, ambition and adaptability to the rapidly evolving era of advanced sciences and technology. The level of self-confidence is getting more and more remarkable that reflects in their ability to overcome adversities. Women of substance are shoving off traditionally imposed shackles because of which they are expanding their horizons to move forward, improve their knowledge and skills to provide security to themselves and their families.
By their very natural tendency to nurture, women are the backbone of their families. Their care, compassion and conscious approach to running households enable them to be most adept to bearing and raising children, looking after the elderly, handling relatives and friends, and managing the kitchen, activities they have been engaged in for eternity but hardly appreciated.
Today, these very females who until some time back were just daughters, sisters, wives and mothers are now breaking glass ceilings in the predominantly male-oriented occupations. Professions and vocations that were earlier no-go areas are now attracting females who seem fully galvanized to take on challenges, no matter how intimidating these may be thus defying stereotypes ascribed to them.
Women belonging to the rural areas, especially in our country, have had even more excruciating experiences as their limited social interactions hamper their outreach to learn about new developments. They lack opportunities to grow, to improve, to prosper and to be recognized as a daunting force. The gross domestic product (GDP) of Pakistan excludes their contribution as if they are non-existent. With the new technology seeping into villages, there is a slow but steady rise in awareness that is now visible in the form of TikTok and other platforms which are helping them in coming to terms with realities about themselves and their latent potential.
One cannot but acknowledge struggles and efforts of the western women who have played remarkable roll becoming the torchbearers of leadership for the rest of their fraternity. Naming a few would be absolute disservice to all the unnamed and unsung heroines whose sweat, labour and even blood laid the foundation for empowerment of women who are and would be in this world. They were initially greatly criticized by women of the east who saw them as a danger to the male-chauvinistic culture and traditions but have now come to realize the truth of the artificial bubble enveloping their life. No longer are they willing to tolerate injustices and silently accepting their tormentors as destiny. They are seeking to find their own reins, to run their lives in accordance with their choices and to understand that their true worth is more than they are made to believe.
The debate of whether a male is superior to female is progressively culminating into the perception that one without the other is an improbability. Both enjoy the same number of qualities that can enrich life. Both are superior to other living beings who have restricted abilities. It is just a matter of opportunities and resources that if available, they can together make this earth a paradise without the ongoing destruction, hatred and dirty politics, whether it is national, international or gender based.
________________________________________________________________________The writer, lawyer and author, is an Adjunct Faculty at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), member Advisory Board and Senior Visiting Fellow of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE)