No matter how much work is done for gender equality, women are still encountering so many problems including violence. In urban areas of Pakistan, the situation is better than the past but for the rural areas, we cannot say the same. Pakistani women have proved that she is capable of doing anything assigned to them but most women do not even get a chance to prove their worth.
The society has made them believe that they are inferior, less important than boys and have no capacity to do many tasks. Most of the women do not know that they have basic rights and they are an integral part of the society. The difference in gender does not lessen their importance and human rights. They, their decisions and their privacy must be respected and they can do whatever they want to do.
Now the question arises that how can we empower women so that we can put a full stop to gender inequality and violence against women.
The first step is to change the psyche of Pakistani women and convey them they should not undermine themselves. Empowerment is about creating an environment where a woman is free to choose what she wants to do, she knows her rights and knows how to get them, she can comment and suggest about economic, political and cultural issues. Providing them equal opportunities like boys to participate in any segment of life as per their choice. Making a woman socially, politically and economically strong is a sustainable solution to ending gender violence and inequality.
Following are some empowerment techniques that can build self-esteem in women and girls.
- Providing education to women is the best gift to empower them. Educated women can understand their rights, psychology of men, handle people, perform a job by acquiring skills and rely on themselves. Ultimately it broadens their vision and teaches them how to tackle the problems and live a more productive life.
- Awareness regarding their health, reproductive system, childbearing, breastfeeding and hygiene and makes them conscious. It raises their life expectancy and enhances the ability to decide what is right for them and what should they do.
- Economic independence can reduce the level of gender-based violence. Pushing women to acquire skills and contribute to their house, society, country and the world. Teach them to play an active role in their society. Women’s economic empowerment includes women’s ability to participate equally in existing markets; their access to and control over productive resources, access to decent work, control over their own time, lives and bodies; and increased voice, agency and meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels from the household to international institutions. Chances are very high that these skilled women will do further work to empower other women. Economic independence develops confidence and self-worth into them which gives them the ability to demand respect and peace in their relationships.
- Awareness about all the laws preventing harmful activities against women and the procedure to access the law is the most important task in empowering women. Government and civil society must show strong commitment, and accelerate actions to increase women’s access to justice that advances women’s equal rights, opportunity and participation. Rule of law helps to minimize violence against women so we must endorse zero tolerance policy about this issue.
- Making sure their participation in the decision-making process at all levels such as household, human development, political, education, job, workplace, pursuing personal interest, cultural, marriage, childbearing and economic, trade and development policies. Empowerment of women will improve their status generally and enable them to actively and effectively participate in key decision-making processes. Increasing their ability to make decisions will boost their confidence. Building social networks and making them socially active enhance their ability to decide rightfully.
- Encouraging them to participate in politics and leadership roles. It does not only raise their confidence but also they can empower other women by inspiring and working on the policies and legislation from the top level.
White Ribbon Pakistan is promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and their enjoyment of human rights. We believe in making the home and public spaces safer for women and girls, ensuring women’s economic autonomy and security and increasing women’s participation and decision-making powers—in the home, as well as in public life and politics.