| Thursday, November 19, 2009 |
International Men’s Day – Why aren't we celebrating? |
While i write this post, only few people in Pakistan would be knowing that today is "International Men's Day". Why aren't we celebrating the day with the same enthusiasm as we celebrate "International Women's Day" on March 8th when all the social and mainstream media is occupied for days to make us men admit that we are the cruelest and dirtiest specie on the planet earth.
From midnight till noon, i haven't seen a single status message or any program on any television/radio channel to say few good words about us.
A few days back a "Women Workplace Harassment Bill" was passed by our National Assembly which could award three year imprisonment and impose Rs. 500000 fine against the offender. Fine. No Objections. But what if women do the same or misuse this bill in their favor? Does any law protect men or does this law has an article that women would be punished for abusing the law? I guess not.
Majority is facing basic problems to survive in the current system and our legislators have nothing else to do other than bringing "NRO", "Hudood Ordinance" and other Women Protection Bills in the assembly. After passing such bills, they hold press conferences and claim that they have achieved the milestone.
Though i endorse women development projects and have been associated with various such projects in past but if we want to promote gender equality, why we have allocated One-Third Quota in our Parliament for them? Why do we have separate compartments in transportation system, separate queues in tickets and billing? Shouldn't this gender behave normally and follow the same procedures as men do?
Anyways, lets come to the original point. When we celebrate a day, we consider something special about that day. Or we would not be celebrating it. Am I correct? What message do we send by celebrating Women's Day? Why not also celebrate Men's Day?
What do we want to think about women? Ideally, they should be treated equally in all the fields. Ideally when one thinks of a woman, one should not think about them different in any respect to men. Except that they mother a child and shoulder different responsibility for a certain period, women should be thought of as equal to men in all respects. Why label them as weaker sex or any such thing. But this is happening. Who is responsible for this thought process, where women are considered different? Men? Women? Historical processes? Who? Let us examine more.
Does media discuss the matter, if a man reaches top of a giant corporation? No. But it does, if a woman occupies that position. Why? Is it only because women have traditionally not occupied such positions or that they are in some way considered inferior to men? So it is a surprise if a woman reaches the top of a giant organization? Why cannot the media ignore such occurrences and not call them as news at all? Does media announce - the sun rose today! No. It is taken as a way of life and nature. Why cannot the media take this fact as granted that women are equal to men in all the aspects and stop discussing any issues that talk of sex difference and ability? With such categorization are we ourselves not treating men and women separately?
I know i'll end up writing a book of random thoughts here but this wouldn't matter at all. Women in Pakistan would keep demanding more and more. We would have more Support Funds, Gender Biased Scholarships, Gender Biased Job Openings but no one would ever raise a voice that men do have certain rights as well. Thus, the bottom line of the post is
Promoting gender equality:
Women’s empowerment and gender equality are two oft-repeated phrases today. It is sad enough that there are many who take great pride in wearing these labels while remaining completely oblivious of their true import. What is worse is that radical women’s groups and vested interests have successfully subverted the real meaning and purpose of women’s empowerment and gender equality, and are promoting discrimination, injustice and serious human rights abuses in the name of gender equality.
Domestic and social harmony will prevail only when women AND men are ensured their rightful, honorable place within and outside the home. International Men’s Day is an occasion to commit ourselves to ensure true gender equality in the society and under law, so that gender relations are improved, litigations are reduced, legal terrorism and extortion through misuse of the law is eliminated, and our human and financial resources can be employed to ensure a better society for ourselves and future generations.
Highlighting positive male role models:
We tend to ignore that every day,
• Men render many services that make the society comfortable for everyone.
• Men make many contributions to science, technology and health of all.
• Men perform the most dangerous and difficult jobs in the world.
• Men take risks and die to save other lives during calamities and war.
• Men bring humor into our lives and make us laugh.
International Men’s Day is an occasion to highlight and promote positive role models in all walks of life. It is a day to remind ourselves to honor all men – academic achievers, social leaders, champions of the environment, artists, comedians, soldiers, farmers, fishermen, fire fighters, and those more humble males who, on a daily basis, clean our streets, build our houses, fix our vehicles, police our streets, deliver newspapers and milk, care for children, and dedicate themselves to others. It is a day to remember that we must celebrate all men in our lives – our fathers, brothers, partners, sons, male friends, neighbors and colleagues. That's my message. A "Very Happy Men's Day" to all my gender fellows out there.
Post References: Uma Challa and American Chronicle
