FATA: ''Breaking taboos''

EDITORIAL:DAILY TIMES

In what must be the most positive piece of news in the run up to these milestone elections, a woman from the extremely underdeveloped tribal areas has gone against the odds to contest and appeal for votes. Badam Zari is the first female to become a candidate in Pakistani politics from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). She represents not just her constituency — NA 44 — but also the women who belong to the backward and oppressive society of FATA. The tribal belt is known as a very unfriendly place for women where they hardly venture out of their homes and, if they do partake in any activity that allows them even slight exposure, they are usually punished with very harsh consequences — sometimes even death. That is why this woman’s step to contest in these elections is not just a move forward for the women of the tribal belt, it is a very brave step indeed. This courageous lady says that she wants to see a change in how women are treated and that she wants to address their problems. The fact that she has broken a long held taboo about female political participation will already have worked wonders on improving how women see themselves in that society. However, whenever a woman ventures out of the comfort zone decreed upon her by the men of this patriarchal society, one has seen nothing but death and fear. Women from FATA are routinely made victims of ‘honour’ killings for little more than merely clapping their hands at a wedding function or being seen in the company of men. For a woman to stand up to this ridiculously closed society and to represent others like her is a wonderful thing indeed. Not for one moment, though, should we forget the very real danger she is in. Everyone, from the men of her society to the militants who look upon women with disdain and insecurity, she is a walking threat to their ideology. She must be given full security and protection — she is a moving target and her dream to represent the women of FATA can be obliterated by just one bullet. She is representing the right to franchise for many women who have been denied even basic human rights and she must be encouraged to realise her dream. Badam Zari could very well be the first in a long line of women who can change the course of how the female gender is treated in the tribal areas, and she may also be the first in a long line of defence against the militant enemy. She must be protected and emulated.