Voice of Common Pakistani !!!

We participate in number of talks and sessions, where empowerment of women is discussed. We give our idea and opinions, we strongly support the idea and it becomes a heated emotional discussion.

That’s all………………….. Yes truly that’s about it. We have made most of the issues, a drawing room discussion. Issues and topics are given a lip service and nothing solid, concrete and particle is ever done.

Empower women, is one of the topics in constant discussion. Recently I had a chance to participate in a training “Gender Sensitization” facilitated by Mr. and Mrs. Imran Rizvi of RIZ Consultancy at Royal Palm, Lahore.

The event was a one day talk session and it really jolted me, when I came to know that Pakistan stands 56 out of 58 countries, where women participation in the main helm of affairs is missing. Just think of it 56th. I know our numbers would be bad as that’s how we have always been somehow lately. But at 56 out of 58 was an eye opener to me. The training went smooth and everyone participated according to his/ her approach, thoughts and opinion. But I got stuck………………..

Yeah as usual, me and my weird thoughts. Why we are at 56? How can we improve in this number game? What all could be done to change our future and improve women participation in all walks of life.

I had chances to travel abroad and look at the culture, traditions, religions, custom and norms with a “non-traditional vision”. I began a memory search of various nearby countries that excelled in past 15 years. The list comprised of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia and North Korea. I sat on internet and I Google (d) few pages and the answer was right there in front of my eyes, exactly as I had thought.

All these countries progressed when, women empowerment began by providing women transport. All these countries had poor public transport system. Instead of spending Billions of dollars to improve public transport, they promoted individual women transport. By introducing “SCOOTY” for women. A simple and affordable solution to 90% of the female population. Self start automatic gear box solution for the ease of women.

I wonder why this kind of transport is not available in our society. As per my knowledge 50 cc Scotty can be imported “DUTY FREE” if it cannot be manufactured in Pakistan at this stage.

The benefits are huge, college going teenagers can use these instead of getting abused in public transport or being dropped and picked up by their fathers and brothers. Office going women can benefit from the same facility instead of getting molested on Bus Stands and in public transport.

I shared my views with few friends (female colleagues) and the idea was “HIJACKED” and was made a “BIG ISSUE”. Issue of harassment, fatwa, against culture and tradition and God knows what all. They failed to understand few facts.

This idea is not for those female working individuals who happen to have the luxury of driving their own cars.
Not for the ones whose families or drivers can pick and drop them easily.
And obviously not for them, for whom doing a job is mean to do something after getting graduated from LUMS and Other HiFi colleges.
No offense here Ladies. I respect all the women and I have no issue against any college or institute. It’s just for the purpose of explaining my point of view.

When we talk of our Govt and comment, what Law Makers, Senators and Parliamentarians know about the problems of a common man? In light of same argument I say what we (Including me) who enjoy the luxury of multiple cars parked in porch know about the needs of a middle class family? Who gave us the right to reject the idea right away of introducing the “Scooty” in our society?

Whenever a females decides to take a job. First question asked within the family is, how will you go? What time you will go? What time will you be back?

If the answer to above questions is available within family means, she gets a green signal. Or in some cases the “need” overrides these questions. I believe if we promote the idea of Scooty, we can encourage a huge number of women to come out and participate in the economic growth of Pakistan.

It will not only support women to reach their offices and colleges in less time (compared to public transport), it will provide them independence, more confident and their own identity. It will take the women ONE STEP ahead from where they stand today. It will help and assist women entrepreneurs to do better in their business affairs. They will not only be mobile but will also be in a position to seek business opportunities outside their residential areas.

How, we can break the TABOO and bring acceptance for a Scooty in our society?

Well people who object can be educated. A simple and might be a crude example could be of mobile phones. Their advertisements where they promote SMS, MMS, late night free calls etc has become acceptable and now we see almost everyone carrying a mobile. Isn’t mobile phone acceptable in our society today? Which was labeled initially as a reason of bad influence? There are 1000’s of examples that can prove societies, traditions and norms change with time and need.

Scooty is the NEED of our society and one big source to bring change. The same mobile companies can assist in the campaign for the promotion of the Scooty. They show boys and girls laughing, smiling and enjoying college life and using their brands. In the same adds it could be promoted by showing a couple of girls reaching college on Scooty, working women on roads riding Scooty and giving instructions at home, women in rural areas helping their husbands who are working in their fields while they picking and dropping their kids in school out of village etc. I am sure there are better brains out there that could wrap the idea in a better way and put forward for acceptance.

All it needs is conviction, determination and belief that women if helped can be a source of economic growth of you me and Pakistan. We need few hands to join and be the “First drop of rain” and I am sure a huge number of women are ready to break the ice.

Women need to groom themselves psychologically to be more confident (stop hiding and getting pampered) and men will have acceptance for this change. Men have always given space to women in our society and they will continue giving more.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 03:01 and is filed under Culture, Gender Issues, Leadership, Media, Pakistan, Politics, Religion, Self-discovery, Tradition. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.