‘A woman who speaks up for herself should be appreciated’

A Karachi Literature Festival session titled ‘Dangerous Women in Dangerous Times’ started off on Saturday with a question: why strong women are called dangerous women.

Literary greats, feminists and people from all walks of life gathered in Room 007 of the Beach Luxury Hotel on the second day of the 10th KLF and the topic was discussed by only one speaker, as airports across Pakistan were partially shut down due to the ongoing tension between Pakistan and India, making it impossible for panelists and speakers to make it to the venue.

Anita M Weiss, a sociologist and a professor of International Studies at the University of Oregon, USA, said dangerous time for a woman could be any moment of being forced to quit studies, a forced marriage, not letting a girl pursue her career or maybe a woman raising her children as a single parent.

She said it seemed to her that the number one characteristic that identified a dangerous woman was one being vocal about her rights during these dangerous times. Whenever a woman does something for herself, there starts objections and criticism, she said.

“Standing up to her own family against forced marriage or saying no to something is all it takes to be a dangerous woman.’’

“Everyone seems uncomfortable instead of appreciating these women. But then, what to do? Certainly not give up. If you are confident that you have a good idea, then you have to work to make the best of it,” Weiss said.

Bismah Aftab, a girl in the audience, shared her struggle of being the only girl among 70 boys in the field of electrical engineering.

“My family and everyone around me warned me when I was choosing this field, and they all said that this field is for boys and not girls. That day, I unheard people and I stood up for my choice, and today I am proudly working as an electrical engineering.”

Nimrah Akram shared a story of her domestic helper, Wajida, who is also a single parent, and how she proved herself to be a “dangerous woman” after being divorced by her husband. Wajida was giving the best possible education to her three daughters by working as a domestic helper and she was a satisfied mother.

Prof Weiss said the women were discouraged all over the world. “It is not only Pakistan but women are discouraged all over the world, especially dangerous women. This idea of rejecting women is now declining due to the feminist movement, but we all have to work together to make this world a better place for human beings, regardless of what the gender is.”

She concluded the session by saying: “Any woman who speaks up and stands out should be appreciated and not discouraged to slowly change the dangerous women’s label to strong women.”