PESHAWAR, Aug 25 (APP): Despite various reform initiatives and advocacy platforms, the socio-economic situation of women has not improved in the province. The process of empowerment has either been affected by social limitations or taboos that still persisted.
These social limitations and taboos are deeply rooted in societal norms. Therefore, the situation demands mass awareness and mindset change to address the issue of women’s empowerment.
These factors give rise to gender inequality and limit the role of women in different fields of life, said Khursheed Bano, Chief Executive Officer of ‘Da Hawwa Lur’ a women’s advocacy platform.
She said Pakistan is predominantly a patriarchal society where the majority of power is controlled by men in both public and private spheres and make decisions. This dominance has limited women’s participation in decision-making processes that had largely affected their lives.
The concept of family honor is often linked to the behavior, movement and reputation of women. This places immense pressure on women to conform to restrictive social norms, limiting their freedom to make personal choices and take decisions, she said.
“Child and early marriages are still prevalent in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas. Early marriage often leads to the cessation of education for girls and restrict their opportunities for personal and professional growth,” she said, adding these issues could be resolved by changing mindset of the people.
These social limitations and taboos require a multifaceted approach including education, legal reforms, and an active involvement of both men and women. Women not only eliminate these socio-cultural barriers but it would also develop an environment where women can thrive and contribute fully for the wellbeing of the society, Khurseed Bano added.
“Gender disparity in education is also witnessed in our society that created a significant gap in educational opportunities for girls,” said Sadaf Syed, a lawyer while talking to APP.
In many areas, the attitudes affect and discourage education of girls as these prioritize domestic roles over academic or professional achievements, she added.
“In the male dominant society, women often face barriers including discrimination in hiring practices, wage gaps, and limited opportunities for career advancement,” said Saima Hanif.
“Workplace harassment is a serious problem that deters many women from pursuing careers or remaining in the workforce. The lack of strong enforcement of laws and social stigma around reporting harassment further exacerbates the problem,” she said.
She said Islamic law grants women the right to inherit property while in practice, many women are denied their inheritance due to pressure from male relatives.
“Another reason that negatively affects women empowerment is that those that have the right to vote and stand for election, their representation in political offices remains low, limiting their influence on policy-making that also affect women’s rights and empowerment.
Cultural taboos and stigma often prevent women from speaking out or seeking help, leaving them trapped in abusive situations. Many women, especially in rural areas, are unaware of their legal rights and the resources available to them. This lack of awareness limits their ability to challenge the status quo and seek empowerment, said Saima Hanif.
Mashal Alam, KP CM Adviser for Social Welfare and Women Empowerment said that empowerment of women was cornerstone of the KP government policy. She said that women policy has been approved and notified to all concerned for implementation.
She said that legislation for protection against harassment of women has been passed by the provincial assembly and the enforcement of women’s property rights ensured.
Mashal said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women has been formed to promote women rights in the province. Being an adviser for women’s empowerment and social welfare in the province, she would continue to raise voice for the rights of women and do all possible efforts for their development and economic well-being.
She said that the government strongly believed in gender equality and granted stipends for girls’ students of less developed districts increased under the Stars of the KP program to bring them at par with the developed areas of the country.
Taboos, social limitations affect women empowerment
Attabad Lake – a calamity driven tourist heaven
GILGIT-BALTISTAN, Aug 25 (APP): In 2010 a massive landslide triggered by an earthquake damaged Attabad village in breathtaking Hunza Valley, some 150 km away from Gilgit city. The disaster unleashed a torrent of boulders that badly affected the village and four neighboring settlements – Ainabad, Shishkat, Gulmit, and Gulkin. The tragedy claimed 20 lives and left over 6,000 villagers homeless.
However, from the ashes of this devastation, a stunning natural wonder emerged. The landslide blocked the flow of Hunza River, creating a new lake that stretched 21 km long and 100 meters deep.
Although the flood affected 170 houses and 120 shops yet the lake’s crystal-clear waters now flow through the narrow valley, creating an enchanting spectacle attracts thousands of tourists and nature lovers.
No matter that the losses were painful, but the emergence of Attabad Lake has transformed the region into a thriving tourist hub, creating hundreds of jobs for local people.
“Once a source of pang and losses, the landslide created lake has become a blessing for our community,” says Muhammad Ali, owner of the Lake View Hotel. “We’ve seen a significant increase in tourism that has created new opportunities for employment and economic growth.”
“Our hotel is always fully occupied during peak season, and we’re planning to expand our facilities to accommodate more guests,” he informed.
The lake offers a diverse range of activities like boating, jet-skiing and fishing besides winter sports when its water is frozen, attracting large number of tourists. Its unique blue color presents an eye-catching view for tourists with the barren treetops in its middle giving an insight into what led to its creation.
“It is now a vital source of depicting this region internationally as a tourists heaven,” remarked Farman Kareem Baig a famous Gilgit Baltistan based photographer. “Photographs of the lake have been exhibited around the world, showcasing this natural wonder to global audience.”
“It’s a truly special place and I feel lucky to have been able to capture its essence through my lens,” Farman said. “This is one the great bounties of nature offering absolute leisure and pleasure to visitors.”
He said it will also be becoming a blessing for local people as the federal government has approved a 52-megawatt power project on Attabad Lake. “On its completion, this project will provide much-needed relief to domestic electricity consumers and businesses, ending the region’s power woes and promoting sustainable development.”
The soothing light of setting sun mixing with a deep shade of turquoise presents a bright contrast of orange hue penetrating the mighty mountains surrounding the 25-kilometre-long lake. The beauty continues to persist even after the sunset as the moon rising present a whole new level of mesmerizing grace to the sight.
Getting captured by the serenity this lake offers to visitors, water sports and hiking paths and an expanding number of hotels to accommodate the growing influx of visitors, are the other feathers in its cap.
“The lake’s crystal-clear waters and stunning surroundings have attracted numerous hotels, tourist huts and adventure sports enthusiasts,” stated Ahmad Hussan a local tourist guide. “Visitors can enjoy rafting in summer and snow sports in winter, making it a year-round destination.”
He said besides increasing tourist influx, creation of this natural wonder has also increased the property rates Attabad village and adjacent areas.
“The lake’s popularity has also led to a significant increase in property rates in this area while construction of tunnels on Karakoram Highway (KKH) above Attabad Lake, connecting Pakistan with China, will also be providing new source of income for local people through tourism,” Ahmad Hassan said. “These tunnels have become a major attraction, offering breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.”
Attabad Lake is a shining example of how a calamity can be transformed into a tourist heaven. The devastating landslide that occurred in 2010 could have easily been a permanent setback for the region, but instead, it has become a blessing in disguise. The lake’s crystal-clear waters, breathtaking scenery and adventure sports opportunities have made it a magnet for tourists, creating new economic opportunities and jobs for local people.
Amidst the marvelous lakes and brooks, tall pines, sky high peaks, Deosai plain, tracks, valleys and so on, also exists the jewel of Gilgit-Baltistan, the Attabad lake presenting enchanting view for tourists and nature lovers.
As we look to the future, we need to continue promoting sustainable tourism practices, ensure environmental protection and support local communities in their efforts to thrive. Attabad Lake proved to be a testament to fact that even in the face of calamity, there is sometimes potential for transformation.
Therefore, it is essential for the federal and the GB government to fully employ the tourist potential in Northern Areas by advertising its beauty and opportunities globally to attract more and more foreign tourists and earn precious foreign exchange.
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UN says its aid agencies getting ready for polio vaccination in war-hit Gaza
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 24 (APP): UN Relief agencies, anticipating a high risk of polio spreading in the wider Gaza region, have begun preparations for a vaccination campaign, according to UN humanitarian officials.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are working with the Gaza Ministry of Health to administer in the coming weeks two rounds of oral polio vaccine to more than 640,000 children under 10 years of age.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters Friday that humanitarian workers moved refrigerated trucks into Gaza in preparation to maintain the cold chain necessary for the vaccine.
Dujarric said the world body already has medical staff in place to administer doses. The vaccine has not yet arrived.
He said the aim is for a humanitarian pause in the conflict so the staff and children would be safe during the campaign later this month and in early September.
Meanwhile, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that delaying a humanitarian pause will increase the risk of polio spreading among children. It is not enough to bring the vaccines into Gaza and protect the cold chain — the vaccines must also end up in the mouths of every child under the age of 10. UNRWA medical teams will deliver the vaccines in the agency’s clinics and through its mobile health teams.
OCHA said that following the Gaza Health Ministry confirming that a 10-month-old baby in Deir al Balah has polio, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed it is the first case in Gaza in 25 years.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the child is in stable condition but has developed paralysis in the lower left leg.
The agency warns that disrupted water and sanitation systems in Gaza, including at hospitals, are increasing the risk of infectious diseases.
“WHO has procured more than 400,000 U.S. dollars of infection prevention and control supplies, including chlorine tablets, hygiene products, and gloves,” OCHA said. “These items have already been delivered to five hospitals, with plans to reach two others in the coming weeks.”
However, the humanitarian officials said that repeated Israeli evacuation orders continue to severely disrupt aid operations in Gaza.
OCHA said three evacuation orders were issued on Wednesday and Thursday, affecting 15 neighborhoods in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. Initial mapping showed the areas included nearly 150 displacement locations, mostly informal sites. The latest evacuation directives bring the total number of orders issued in August to 13.
The office said that humanitarian partners fighting hunger reported the amount of food assistance that entered southern Gaza in July was one of the lowest recorded in the past 10 months. They warn that active hostilities, damaged roads, access constraints, and a lack of public order and safety have led to critical food shortages.
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“Children are paying the heaviest price — with poor diet and the decimation of health-care services and water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure raising the risk of malnutrition and disease,” OCHA said. “An assessment by UNICEF in July found that just 1 percent of children in northern Gaza — and only 6 percent in the south — received the recommended dietary diversity.”
The office said humanitarian partners working to provide nutrition reported the number of children in northern Gaza who were diagnosed with acute malnutrition soared by over 300 percent last month compared to May — and by more than 150 percent in the south. Without unfettered humanitarian access that allows a significant scale-up of support, hunger and malnutrition will only worsen.
The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that as of a week ago, the agency reached 370,000 people with partial food parcels and wheat flour this month. However, distributions in Rafah are rare due to the ongoing conflict. WFP distributed more than 4.4 million hot meals across Gaza this month through 60 community kitchens, reaching an estimated 78,000 people, the vast majority in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah.
OCHA said the percentage of humanitarian movements denied by Israeli authorities last month more than doubled from 7 to 15 percent, severely hampering efforts to reach people with critical support quickly.
The office said that as of Thursday, only 43 percent of nearly 150 planned humanitarian assistance missions to northern Gaza were facilitated by Israeli authorities this month. The Israelis denied, impeded or canceled the remainder due to security, operational or logistical reasons. In southern Gaza, less than half of almost 280 coordinated aid movements were facilitated by the Israeli authorities this month.
In the West Bank, OCHA said the WFP warned that escalating violence there could push the number of people facing food insecurity up to 600,000. WFP expanded its food voucher program fivefold in the West Bank and is prepared to reach as many as 200,000 people with cash-based transfers by the end of the month.
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