How hostility towards feminism started in Pakistan

The debate on feminism in Pakistan is not new. It is an ongoing topic of discussion ever since. Still our celebrities do not own this word in the on-camera discussions. Even the scholars do not want to be a part of this debate. This type of behavior is due to the perceptions attached to this term here. Lets dig this issue a more deep.

        In Pakistan, the patriarchal system is dominant. This system means the axis of power resides in the male members of family. They decide how to run the affairs of family. In most of the matters even the suggestions are not taken from the female members of family. Male members, father, brother and even son decides what and who is going to be the source of income for family. Who is going to be educated and to what extent. Who is going to be married where and to whom. What would be the nature of relations to the extended relatives. Who should be considered a friend or foe.

        With the passage of time, women got awareness that they are equal human beings. They have the same rights as their male members of family have. They have an equal right to be educated, to have a career, to be consented in the matters of marriage. This idea got acceptance by women around the world and was turned to a movement with time. This concept is termed as feminism.

        Under the flag of feminism, women got united from around the world. They asked for their rights. Due to their legitimate demands they were also heard in judiciary and legislature. Bills and Acts were passed and on various points amended where necessary. They got the right to vote. They were accepted into the field jobs. They also got commissioned in army.

        This share in the employment opportunities had two different after effects. For women, they were more powerful. They had some control over the finances in the family and on the overall decisions for the family as well. They started to appear in media, in politics, in business and in various other fields printing their footsteps in history as well. Until now, just a few, rather quite rare appearances are noted in history due to the patriarchal system around the world (with a few exceptions). If we go back to four hundred years ago just a few highly distinguished women can be traced. Now the scenario changed for women. For men, it was nearly the opposite. They had to be in the comparison with women in many spheres of life and in many instances they had to lose too in the hands of women. They became more accountable to the female members of family, and they had to share the prerogatives with women which were previously attached solely with them. This share in authority, resources and decision-making proved to be a hard pill to swallow for men. From this point on, the hostility towards feminism started.