Another Update
Mukhtaran Mai is the Pakistani rape-victim turned activist about whom I have posted before. She is in the news again, as she takes her case to the Supreme Court in Islamabad to demand the reinstatement of the death penalty against five of her attackers.
Mai came form Meerwala to be at the hearing being held under heavy police guard. Diplomats and many human rights activists have come to the court as well, in a show of support for this incredibly brave woman. Mai said she expected the nation's highest court to uphold the original verdict in the case. "I am expecting the Supreme Court to give the same kind of ruling," Mai told reporters outside the courtroom.
When I was teaching, I always told my students that the really brave person is not the superhero who charges out to do battle with a Hollywood-style grin of anticipation on their lips. The truly brave person is the one who finds themselves suddenly facing circumstances they would never have chosen if given a choice; the one who marches out despite the fear churning their insides and does what needs to be done because it is right. I used to give them examples. Heroes from Catherine Lundy to Gandhi have peopled the list. Now, Mukhtaran Mai would be one of the examples, too.
Mai came form Meerwala to be at the hearing being held under heavy police guard. Diplomats and many human rights activists have come to the court as well, in a show of support for this incredibly brave woman. Mai said she expected the nation's highest court to uphold the original verdict in the case. "I am expecting the Supreme Court to give the same kind of ruling," Mai told reporters outside the courtroom.
When I was teaching, I always told my students that the really brave person is not the superhero who charges out to do battle with a Hollywood-style grin of anticipation on their lips. The truly brave person is the one who finds themselves suddenly facing circumstances they would never have chosen if given a choice; the one who marches out despite the fear churning their insides and does what needs to be done because it is right. I used to give them examples. Heroes from Catherine Lundy to Gandhi have peopled the list. Now, Mukhtaran Mai would be one of the examples, too.
1 Comments:
She's a very brave woman indeed. But it appears that her actions may have far reaching ramifications on Pakistan's society -- if the words of politicians mean anything. Apparently Pakistan's President Musharraf, motivated either by doing the right thing or the pressure from the international community, has decided that there's an opportunity here to show the world that they're not a backwards nation. He wants to project Pakistan as a moderate to progressive Muslim nation, and is proposing a world conference on the plight of abused women everywhere -- to be held in Pakistan -- where stories can be told, and solutions brought forth.
Ahem. I'm trying hard not to be cynical. Easy solution: enforce the laws already in place; punish those that break the law. No, I mean, really punish them. The proposal for a conference, while it would not result in any new solutions -- will result in something new. A Muslim, third world nation, acknowledging the inequality of women; the abuse of women ... the international glare can only be good for the women there.
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