TOW #22: Nonfiction Text- The Dirty Old Men of Pakistan - Mohammed Hanif

The goal of gender equality is a goal that, for Americans, is still a long way from being achieved. Meanwhile, in countries where Shariah is the law of the land, the equality that we find in the United States would be otherwise unfathomable for many years to come.  In countries where Shariah law reigns, it is imperative that in order for gender equality to have grounds to grow, the government, its laws, and the ideologies and morals of men must all be reformed. A satirical article written by Mohammed Hanif discusses how In spite of this unfathomable goal of gender equality ahead “Pakistan’s largest province passed a new law called the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act. The law institutes radical measures that say a husband can’t beat his wife, and if he does he will face criminal charges and possibly even eviction from his home. It proposes setting up a hotline women can call to report abuse. In some cases, offenders will be required to wear a bracelet with a GPS monitor and will not be allowed to buy guns,” (2). This law expresses the need for reform in countries where Shariah reigns supreme. The very idea that this law was written up, and especially the heavy backlash received in order to protect “a man’s God-given right to give a woman a little thrashing,” (1) is exemplary of the length of the journey to gender equality, provided by a much needed reform in the government, legal system, and overall the moral standard of these pious old men.

The law was quickly deemed un-islamic by a coalition of more than 30 religious and political parties on the grounds that it is “an attempt to secularize Pakistan and a clear and present threat to our most sacred institution: the family,” (3), as well as from the government itself. The government-appointed Council of Islamic Ideology declared it “repugnant to our religion and culture.” (5). This council’s main purpose is to ensure the laws passed follow Shariah. The council has also defended a man’s right to marry a minor, dispensed him from asking for permission from his first wife before taking a second or a third, and made it impossible for women to prove rape.

As an American, while the task of gender equality still seems daunting despite the progress that has been made, it is overwhelming and infuriating, to see the monumental imbalance between genders. Before women can make any attempts at equality, this notion must be instilled within the men of the community, especially those in power to reform. If those men are unwilling to change themselves, which is likely considering how long these ideals have been in place, pressure from the outside is a must. And it is only with this change that the rest of the nation may follow suit.