Women's Suffering in Pakistan
Young women suffer a lot in their lives because of patriarchal systems and male dominance. Here is a list of the types of suffering that we young girls face:
i. DENIAL OF FOOD AND HEALTH OF GIRLS
This practice is still happening in most regions. Men are given priority to food and health rights and women are expected to sacrifice these rights.
ii. SWARA
This custom is still practiced in tribal areas. It started almost 400 years ago when the pashtun were at war. To settle a conflict between two families, the jirga is called and arranges a girl from the criminal's family to marry a male from the victim's family. By doing so, the conflict is solved.
iii. EARLY MARRIAGES
Marriages of girls at early ages are very common in most of the areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The girl's will is not considered and she is forced into marriage. This custom is practiced a lot.
iv. MARRIAGES WITHOUT CONSENT
This problem is found in almost all of the cultures. Families arrange marriages without their children's consent. Both boys and girls are victims of this practice, but the ratio of girls is much higher. Asking a girl's permission is considered wrong in most of society.
v. MARRIAGES WITH OLD MEN
Young girls are married to old men. This is a custom followed by many people, often to get money in times of poverty.
vi. WOMEN TRAFFICKING
This is the main problem in Pakistan. Young girls and women are lied to and bribed with the promise of a better future. They are moved far from their families and sold as sex slaves, completely cut off from communicating with anyone in the outside world.
i. DENIAL OF FOOD AND HEALTH OF GIRLS
This practice is still happening in most regions. Men are given priority to food and health rights and women are expected to sacrifice these rights.
ii. SWARA
This custom is still practiced in tribal areas. It started almost 400 years ago when the pashtun were at war. To settle a conflict between two families, the jirga is called and arranges a girl from the criminal's family to marry a male from the victim's family. By doing so, the conflict is solved.
iii. EARLY MARRIAGES
Marriages of girls at early ages are very common in most of the areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The girl's will is not considered and she is forced into marriage. This custom is practiced a lot.
iv. MARRIAGES WITHOUT CONSENT
This problem is found in almost all of the cultures. Families arrange marriages without their children's consent. Both boys and girls are victims of this practice, but the ratio of girls is much higher. Asking a girl's permission is considered wrong in most of society.
v. MARRIAGES WITH OLD MEN
Young girls are married to old men. This is a custom followed by many people, often to get money in times of poverty.
vi. WOMEN TRAFFICKING
This is the main problem in Pakistan. Young girls and women are lied to and bribed with the promise of a better future. They are moved far from their families and sold as sex slaves, completely cut off from communicating with anyone in the outside world.