Patriarchy is seen as a set of social relations that allows men to dominate women. In Pakistan patriarchy has been the pattern of authority that is deeply rooted into our society. What do you think could be done to deal with this discriminatory domination of men over women? Provide any five solutions.
Answers
the powerful loudspeakers of my neighbourhood mosque have just announced a death. The introductory words never change: “Hazraat, aik zaroori ailaan sunyeh.” Respectable sirs, hear now an important announcement. The “sirs” doesn’t surprise because I have heard such announcements all my life. It’s always men ‒ and only men ‒ who need to be informed of any significant happening. Lest “haya” ‒ modesty or propriety‒ be violated, women cannot be addressed directly.
The rest follows a well-established pattern. Had the deceased been a man, I certainly would have learned his name. But this time it was a woman and haya required she remain unnamed. Indeed, the later part of the announcement identified her as somebody’s wife. If unmarried, it wouldn’t be different except that she would be joined to either her father or a brother. Mothers and sisters don’t count.