Balochistan is famous for its unique culture and centuries-old tribal traditions, which is why the tribal norms and values are strongly valued by the masses in the province. However, have you ever thought about the impact that culture has on us in this modern age and time, especially when culture and religion are deeply intertwined? In short, it gets extremely difficult to separate the cultural practices from the religious ones, thus confusing the younger minds as they fail to comprehend and categorise the said practices.
Women living in Balochistan face unique difficulties due to cultural norms that paint them as victims throughout their lives. Unfortunately, many of us have grown accustomed to this role without realising that we have the power to change our circumstances.
From a young age, girls in Balochistan are raised with the belief that they are not capable enough to take decisions of their own free will. Similarly, they are not taught how to stand up for themselves, and this lack of empowerment spills over into their professional lives. Imagine how tough it is to speak up against workplace harassment when you’ve been conditioned to stay silent your entire life. This takes a huge toll on the mental health of the Baloch women, as the weight of unspoken struggles burdens them to the extent that they develop mental disorders.
Being a working woman is challenging, and it becomes even tougher for those aiming for a career in a society where patriarchy holds a strong grip. The suppression of women in the name of culture, marriage, and societal values is a routine practice in Balochistan, which makes women subservient and dependent on men to a much higher degree.
Likewise, Baloch society predominantly comprises a conservative mindset, which makes it difficult for Baloch women to raise their issues and concerns publicly. For instance, some men believe that any woman who talks about empowerment or wants financial stability means that she is supporting LGBTQ rights, a perception that they have developed due to the misinformed definition of feminism provided by electronic and social media. Here, it is important to mention that this ill-informed information is also upheld by many Baloch women, especially the elderly. This is because these ladies have been fed a wrong perception regarding women’s empowerment throughout their lives, so much so that they conditioned themselves to be the embodiment of good women who never raise a single voice against their male family members, be it their fathers, brothers, husbands, or sons. In short, these women were trained to be docile and ignore their rights altogether. Hence, under such conditions, their children, especially boys, learn the discriminatory attitude that their mothers faced and deem that attitude normal, thus making them future misogynists or perpetuators of gender-based violence.
Society failed to realise that silencing or suppressing women is a major cause of an unhealthy community. How can a woman nurture a strong, empowered generation when she herself faces suppression? As a woman with a career, I understand the daily challenge of proving oneself amidst work pressure. Beyond that, there’s an added weight of societal expectations, especially regarding the impact of a job on one’s future and life after marriage. Journalists, social activists, and all other women who are perusing careers apart from teaching and MBBS have encountered scepticism about their career choices, with people suggesting that it’s not suitable for girls from traditional families to opt for these unconventional professions. Society tends to impose culture, religion, and traditions on women so that it maintains its hegemony over them, making it challenging for women to explore their rights. When a woman seeks knowledge about her rights, it is seen as a threat because an educated, empowered woman challenges the status quo. While the problems persist and are deeply rooted in the socio-cultural fabric of Balochistan, complaining about them is not the solution. Being a victim won’t help. As women, we should realise that speaking up for our rights and empowering ourselves doesn’t mean going against nature. You don’t have to be overly argumentative or refuse to accept when you’re wrong.
Empowerment is about understanding yourself, knowing what’s right and wrong, having the courage to make decisions, and realizing that no prince charming will come to rescue them from their distressing situation. Even if it is not much, a woman can at least identify the problems around her. It’s understandable that in our society, where women are often suppressed, it’s not easy for a girl to openly address her problems. However, her responsibility is to be aware, even if she can’t fight for her rights directly, because without awareness, it’s hard to live a healthy life.
Learning about your rights and talking about them does not make you a bad person. Living your life without knowing your purpose and just blaming the world will not serve any purpose. If someone believes that women cannot change society, they should feel sorry for them. Hence, despite the challenges, women should understand that living the life of a warrior is a hundred times better than living like a victim. They can start defying the misogynist attitudes with self-awareness and self-love. Only then will women grasp that life surpasses the limitations imposed upon them by societal expectations.
Contributing Writer: Aimen Khan
The writer is an independent journalist and social media influencer.
