From Malala to Burka Avenger: A Few Remarks on Changing Female Role Models in Contemporary Pakistan

Abstract

This paper discusses some of the breakthrough initiatives by women in Pakistan, which may have a positive influence on other women and thus lead the way to further changes in the overall situation of women. It comprises of two main parts. The first part begins with a brief study of the image of women in the Qur’an and analyses the question of how sources and religious teachings were interpreted in regard to women’s social status. This follows with an examination of the position of women in Pakistan and with the characteristics of the women’s movement and various initiatives of the women’s rights struggle. The second part discusses the work and achievements of various women’s organisations and individual women activist, in reference to the main women’s issues in the society. The study focuses on bottom‑up initiatives that arise in response to the socio‑political situation, and aims at showing how females active in the women’s rights struggle serve as a positive model for other women in Pakistan.

Keywords

• women issues
• women in Pakistan
• activism
• role‑models
• women rights struggle
• bottom‑up initiatives