A Culture that Defames Women

I offered voluntary services at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital for a few weeks in 2012 in the Materials Management Department.

The Head of Department got to know that I was married. He asked me what I was doing there, and why I was not managing 'handi roti' at home instead. The bearded fellow believed that married women should be home looking after household chores, and should not be working outside home. He blatantly showed no respect for women's education or learning and development.

If such is the situation of a creditable organisation established by Imran Khan, who is in political limelight these days, is there any hope to expect security for women rights and freedom in Imran Khan's "Naya Pakistan"?

On the same note, is there any hope for bringing change in Pakistan with Malala's and other people's efforts when the inherent culture and mindset of this male-dominated society largely defames women?

Pakistan's founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is reported to have said: "I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men. No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men."

Yet, our people and institutions never fail to disappoint.