Everyone might have noticed any eminent female figure of Chitral while giving an interview or writing something, they can’t help gnashing their teeth against “Gender Discrimination” prevalent, according to them, in Chitral. Foremost of all, I want to make it obvious that I am not a misogynist and this op-ed is being written only to clear some misconceptions being spread about my place, not my country.
Whenever I hear someone talking about Gender Discrimination in Chitral, I simper at them thinking why they don’t weigh their words before accusing males of Chitral then I console myself by saying that they can’t put themselves in our shoes. Let me start from scratch to scrutinize this situation.
Who is facing “Gender Discrimination” in Chitral?
Have we seen any vehicles stopping for us when we cross the road? No, to exaggerate in Khowar’s “Haraam”. But we keep on noticing daily whenever any lady tries to cross the road, all the vehicles stop suddenly and the very first word that can be hearkened is “Let our sisters cross the road”.
Who is being discriminated against?
Yesterday, i was at easy paisa shop. All of a sudden ,two sisters came , although i was in hurry but shopkeeper said “Bro , please wait ,let me do their work first”.
Who is being discriminated against?
When I was a student, I used to be beaten with a stick even for minor bloomers, but not a single harsh word would be used for my female classmates. This is still happening. We beat our boys with full force but aren’t allowed to use any derogatory words for girls.
Who is being discriminated against?
Stupid, bastard, foolish, nebbish, these words can be heard in every home for sons but we don’t notice any father or mother using these incendiary words for his/her daughter.
Who is being discriminated against?
We are forced to do any job to make a bright future whenever we complete our education but when our sisters come home after doing their masters, we haven’t seen any family member bulldozing them into doing a job and threatening them.
Who is being discriminated against?
If you aren’t able to get any “Sarkari job” posthaste, no one will be poised to give his daughter to you. This sentence is never used for daughters in my Chitral. We, boys, have to listen to this from the day we come home after getting that piece of paper called a degree. Have you heard any father or mother saying to his daughter that if you’re not able to get any job, no one will come to marry you?
Who is being discriminated against?
On every Eid, we are given money only for the set of clothes but my sisters can’t compromise on less than 4 sets for all the tea in China despite knowing that EID is celebrated only for three days.
Who is being discriminated against?
When a brother and father get their salary, the very first priority is given to daughters/sisters before buying something for themselves, and then pockets are searched for remnants.
Who is being discriminated against?
I am not saying that Chitral is a perfect place. Daughters are being forced to marry against their consent. Daughters aren’t allowed to get higher education in a few places of Chitral but in any society, the behaviour of the majority counts, and when it comes to the majority, Alhamdulillah, we can bluntly say that Chitral is more civilized than many other places of Pakistan.
Anyhow, the points raised in favour of the male gender can be taken lightly because we have become used to all aforementioned discrimination.
Aqib Jang Bazar Chitral
