There is a world of hope in the eyes of those who are suffering. In Balochistan, the hopes are in the eyes of a people who lack even the most fundamental rights.
Balochistan is overshadowed by numerous issues such as gender discrimination, poor education, political instability, climate crisis, and economic challenges.
The word gender represents the two wheels of society; male and female. If a single wheel is broken by injustice, inequality, or societal taunts then it creates a societal imbalance.
Gender violence is a very sensitive and basic issue everywhere.
Societal imbalance:The instability of Balochistan is not due to its mountainous surface but rather the crises within it, one of which is gender discrimination. Gender violation is developing an imbalanced society in Balochistan.
The poor education of Balochistan is the main reason. Females are facing lower pay, denied promotions, and gender-based harassment, leading to economic hardship and severe trauma. Honor killings carried out to ‘restore’ family honor, are a growing concern.
There is a lack of job opportunities for males too in the teaching profession, while private schools often hire only those females who fit societal beauty standards.
Unfortunately, Baluchistan is enduring a male-dominated society, where domestic violence by males against females is more common. In Balochistan, 71 % of women faced physical or emotional abuse from husbands.
The increase in domestic violence against women is linked to their acceptance of it and their socio-economic position.
Another dire issue is the missing persons of Balochistan’s people, which causes suffering and disempowers the province’s women. It also produces emotional distress, and severe psychological outcomes in society. The violence related to gender directly or indirectly affects the identity of humans and gives birth to an imbalanced society.
Societal violation emerges: Gender discrimination is not just the term or a simple case, it is a vast topic that is resulting in disastrous events. In Balochistan, harassment in a public place or workplace is too common, domestic violation is a basic issue in almost every house and honor killings is day by increases.The makran division of Balochistan is on the top in depriving femalesof education, and in an honor killing.
With apologies, our religious extremists also contribute to gender violations. Pure faith always upholds peace and prosperity, and Islam is a religion of peace, not of violence.
From the UNDP May 30, 2024 report
Gender inequality is dire and exclusively evident in women of Balochistan. Financial inclusion is 13%, 8% employment. Only 16% completed primary education resulting in domestic violation, child marriage, and economic marginalization. Even stepping out onto the street is unsafe for women, so how can they be expected to go abroad or to other provinces for jobs or education?
Political engagement: female voter turnout is 37.4% and male turnout of 48.9% which is very discouraging.
35% of women in Balochistan faced intimate partner violence. The very pathetic and disappointing act still exists in Balochistan which is exchanging marriage to resolve personal disputes.
Another factor contributing to the increase in rape and harassment cases is the upbringing of a child and their cognitive health. The frustrated nature of males demolishes the female status. These injustice killings, poverty, the lack of legal protection for women, and false beliefs allow gender-based violence against women in Balochistan.
Balancing approach
The words in the air are louder than the practical work on the ground. Issues are more than the effective solution in Balochistan. There should be a balancing approach to tackle this serious concern of gender discrimination .
Wheels in any machine help to run or to work for better results same is true in the case of a society, both gender are equally important and has his or her contributions. They both are responsible for treating each other with respect and feeling secure in each other presence. However, the government which is blind in the case of Balochistan should focus on this serious issue as the act of 2014 or 2016 for women’sprotection, prevention, and anti-harassment is on paper not an ineffective practice, so make it applicable, and gives equal opportunities to both of them.
This justice and supportive approach eventually overcame the aggressive nature of men, the reduction in domestic violations, and a safe and secure environment.
Raising awareness among various segments of society about the importance of proper upbringing and cognitive health is crucial to addressing this serious issue in Balochistan.
Men should understand that women are not toys; they are respectable humans too. Those men should avoid being misogynistic towards women. Acceptance of violence, security issues, and the lack of a strong financial status among women provoke domestic and public violence in society.
Neighboring countries are in better condition than Pakistan, yet they still face gender-based issues. So, how can the government of Pakistan remain self-satisfied?
Providing laptops is not enough; it’s like bribing the youth ( The two wheels of the society) for support.But this is wrong—the youth are not puppets; they are the leaders of the nation.Work for their security and ensure equal justice. Take serious action against the unacceptable behavior of those animals disguised as men. In this technological era, the animal world is safer than the human one. Do not wait for the time when even female ghosts feel insecure about such animals.
Article written by Ramaieta Saleem, a BS Biotech student from BUITEMS, is a deep thinker and writer.
