Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Feminism: Theory that calls for equal treatment for men and women.
1. Liberal Feminism: Gender equality and equality of opportunity for all (as all humans are born equal).
2. Marxist Feminism: Criticizes Capitalism (root-cause).
3. Socialist Feminism: Capitalism + Patriarchy.
4. Development Feminism: Universal human rights & economic resources to women also.
5. Radical Feminism: Patriarchy -> Economic exploitation and sexual aggression
6. Psychoanalytic Feminism: Oedipus Complex (Sigmun Freud)-> attraction to parent of the opposite gender
7. Men’s Feminism: Exploitation & disintegration of other weaker men + pressure on them to be masculine
8. Post Modern/Queer Theory: Sexuality & Gender are shifting, fluid concepts. Promote LGBT rights. Acc. to
them, the environment defines and reiterates the present roles/structures. Against binary genders!
Feminist Movements: Purpose was to end all kinds of discrimination against women.
1. 1st Wave (Liberal Feminists): Right to vote (enfranchisement) + break the ‘culture of domesticity’
2. 2nd Wave (Radical & Marxist feminism): “Personal is political” ; Social opportunities and private
lives. Wanted to challenge patriarchy. ‘Bitch manifesto’, ‘sisterhood’.
Proposed that factors of production should be collectively owned. 2 nd Wave was more multi-
dimensional and touched personal+social domains. However, was overshadowed by Vietnam war
3. 3rd Wave (Post Modern/Queer): “Transversal Politics”. Continues till today globally! Stood against
discrimination in nationality, religion and ethnicity. Pushed the need for dialogue.
Criticized the sexist language, Use of IT, Deconstruction of categorical thinking, Oppression and
proposed the Queer Theory + LGBT rights/recognition
Feminism in Pakistan
Feminism is NOT a complete myth in Pakistan
2 Types: Modern Islamic Feminists (women rights in Islam) & Secular Feminists
(Universal rights)
1. Fatimah Jinnah championed the cause of women’s liberation throughout her life
2. Foundation of APWA by Beghum Rana Liaqat
3. Opposition to Zia’s Hudood ordinance – Women Action Forum + Protests against 4 M’s
4. Boost under Benazir Bhutto (DMG and Foreign Service were also opened for women)
5. Thrown on back-burner under Nawaz Sharif
6. Musharraf: Some lost ground reclaimed (Protection of Women Act, Anti-sexual
Harassment Bill)
7. Film: “Aurat Raaj” by Rangeela that challenged male chauvinism way ahead of time
Yes, there are solid reasons to argue that ‘sex’ is also socially constructed.
1. Caster Semenya- The South African Athlete (LA Times questioning her abilities to
compete as a woman)
2. Biological basis of sex: Chromosomes XX, YY; but what about Social side?
3. Physical traits can be similar – Breasts come in all sizes + Visual Spatial abilities
4. Transgender can choose/adopt sex according to will (they have both characteristics)
5. Hormones may not follow as instructed – Alpha 5 Reductase (male genitals not
prominent)
6. Inter-sex condition in babies.
3. Integrationist Approach:
Middle course. Role of both aforementioned views. More realistic!
Queer Theory
Queer means something unusual that does not conform to the established norms
Promotion of LGBT rights; against binary categorical thinking of gender
Judith Butler: ‘Society and media define and reinforce gender roles and stereotypes
Hollywood film- ‘Brokeback Mountain’ challenged the typical American masculinity
Queers are against the rigid categories & assert that gender and sex are fluid concepts
Domestic Violence
1. Physical (emotional, isolation, children)
2. Sexual
3. Economic
Cases in Pakistan: Dowry murder, Honor killing (Vani, Karo Kari), Trafficking, Acid
attacks, Watta-Satta, Haqbaqshi (Quran marriage)
How to counter it?
State obligations
Provision of Education (25-A)
Awareness campaigns
Strict law enforcement (CEDAW etc.)
Extending health cover to women
Pursuance of MDG’s
Economic independence + empowerment
1. Personality Traits
2. Domestic Behaviors
3. Occupations | Workplaces
4. Physical appearance
5. Media
Impacts:
Hinders personal growth
Kills expression and creativity
Cause of inequality
Judith Loberer – ‘A Night to His Day’
Remedies:
Case studies
1. Mukhtaran Mai
Born in Meerwala, Muzaffargarh; survivor of gang-rape in 2002 after her refusal
to marry Abdul Khaliq, whose sister was accused of having sex her bro.
US media called her a ‘faceless, illiterate, peasant girl’ but she transcended her
role a lot and gained immense popularity in the global arena.
a) Depicts feudal culture of rural areas
b) Lax attitude of Police (Masjid Imam pursued her case)
c) Depicts patriarchy (nobody helped her during rape)
d) Government’s unconstitutional measures (Musharraf’s efforts to shun;
passport confiscated and forced to reject Amnesty Inter.’s invitation)
MMWWO Welfare Organization + Built 2 schools
2. Malala Yousafzai
15 year old gunshot in a school bus (2012) by the Taliban after receiving threats for
being vocal about girls’ right to education.
Huge international outcry from the masses
Fatwa launced by 50 ulemas against Taliban
Ugly side: Plight of people under Taliban gave pretext to drone strikes in the areas
Some in the west used derogatory terms like some even called her a free-loader
Conspiracy school of thought: She was an American agent
Won a Nobel Prize
Status of Women | Politics (Pakistan) – Add Rubina Saigol’s report for Political Quota
1. Sex stereotyping
2. Few tickets to women on general seats
3. Many do not have ID cards
4. Indirect election
5. Incompetence of NADRA + Absence of women only voting centers
a) Anemia
b) Delays in pregnancy (80% delivered at home)
c) Unsafe abortions
d) Menopausal women
e) Cancers
f) Violence
g) Mental health
The women’s movement is no longer pitted only against the patriarchal social, economic and political structures;
there is now palpable danger from non-state actors who challenge the writ of state.