ABDAL SHAMS
Women’s rights are fundamental human rights that are claimed by women around the globe. It was enshrined in Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (1979). The convention outlines an international charter of rights for women and girls and outlines the responsibilities nations have to ensure that these rights are upheld for women. Over 180 states have ratified the convention. It includes many things which range from equal pay to the right to education. For a better understanding, this article on women’s rights will take us through it in detail.
We all have the right to human rights, which include the freedom from violence and discrimination, to enjoy of the maximum possible level of bodily and mental health, access to education, ownership of property, the right to vote, the ability to make an equitable living, and freedom of movement. Article 25 of constitution of Pakistan ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the law and states that there shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex. But across the globe many women still face discrimination on the basis of sex and as well as forced marriage, domestic and sexual abuse, inferior wages, limited access to education, and insufficient healthcare.
Prior to the arrival of Islam, pagans Arabs used to bury their female children alive, force women to perform naked dances near the Ka’ba at their annual festivals and treated women just like slaves or chattels. They used women only for their sexual contentment who possess no rights, dignity, and honor. There were huge discriminations towards women, as they were treated like slaves and most often their positions were worse than animals. Islam provided a comprehensive code of conduct for both men and women, and it removed inhumanity, inequity, and prejudice against women. The Prophet (peace be upon him) proposed to stop any sorts of torture, cruelty or inhuman treatment to women. He showed greatness towards them. He advised the Muslims: “Fear Allah in respect of women”.
Even in the last sermon the Prophet (PBUH) said “Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers”.
Islam has granted women a number of economic rights, including as the right to own property, take part in inheritance, and take part in a range of economic activities to better their financial circumstances. This is the most important aspect of Islamic women’s economic empowerment. It has liberated Muslim women by ensuring equal rights to them in comparison to their male fellow, which means Islam does not allow the domination of men over women rather it upholds the rights, dignity, honor and status of women by ensuring gender equality. As the command of Islam to the men is to treat with compassion and full respect to their wives, women are respectable and honorable in Islam
In Islam a woman is completely self-regulating who has legal personality and who is able to enter into contract or can make bequest in her own name. She is free to engage in any profession or business and has the power to dispose of her possessions. She is entitled for inheritance in different capacity like as mother, as wife, as sister and as daughter. She is permitted to enjoy dower and upkeep as well as complete freedom in choosing her spouse of her own choice.
Women’s rights help everyone in society, not just women. When women are given equal rights, the world may progress together, with everyone contributing significantly. Women’s rights guarantee that they have the chance to go to school and succeed in life. They become autonomous, which is crucial for all women worldwide. Therefore, it is up to us all to ensure that women’s rights are upheld everywhere. Women are economically empowered through increasing their access to education, property, inheritance, and land rights. Realizing gender equality and empowering women contribute to society’s commitment to a nation’s long-term growth. The importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment for sustainable development has been stressed by a number of academics and international leaders. Women must have more autonomy over their own decisions as part of empowerment.
Right to education is a basic and fundamental right of every person male or female enshrined in constitution of Pakistan and also in Islam. In this regard an unmarried woman has full freedom to acquire knowledge and nobody can obstruct her from acquiring knowledge. A married woman also has right of acquiring knowledge but she must observe the right of her husband and children. Educating women can bring a huge change as education empowers women to make choices that improve their children’s health, their well-being, and chances of acquiring survival skills. It gives women the power to make decisions that will benefit their wellbeing, such as delaying marriage beyond childhood and having fewer children. Education may provide women the ability to exercise their rights, raise their self-esteem, and become more aware of their rights.
Islam ensured political independence of men and women. There is opportunity for a woman to involve in politics. Political empowerment advocates for the development of laws that will best uphold women’s rights to equality and agency in both the public and private spheres, eventually giving them more influence over decisions in their communities. Methods that have been suggested are to create affirmative action policies that have a quota for the number of women in policy making and parliament positions. A woman can fight in battle to protect her nation’s sovereignty. But she must adhere to Islamic law in regard to all of these.
Muslim women are permitted to engage in economic activity as long as they follow certain guidelines. Women with exceptional potential and the chance to get higher degrees can contribute to society in positive ways. Women are encouraged to join medical, education, or any other institutions of the society.
She has the right to acquire property by legal ways, become its owner, and to dispose of it however she sees fit. Nobody whether father or husband or mother or even her children have right to interfere her, regarding her property It is her husband’s obligation to pay for the family’s expenses, including her upkeep and the maintenance of the children.
Currently, Pakistan has over 113,399,147 women, the majority of whom lack access to fundamental rights. Since the early 1900s, Pakistanis have fought for the rights of women, but very little progress has been accomplished in this area. There are so many various ways that women are degraded. In Pakistan, women are treated unfairly; they need to have the same rights as males, access to specific resources, and opportunities, in order for them to live in peace.
We may all take part in the struggle for women’s rights since they are a fundamental requirement for our society. We still have a long way to go, despite the fact that the world has changed and women now have more freedom than ever. In other words, the fight is far from over. First and foremost, we must speak louder. We need to raise awareness of the problems that women deal with every day. Use social media to start dialogues or to notify people if they are receiving false information. Educate the women at home and encourage and support them in good things. Send them to schools and allow them for higher education. We need to stop marriages at small age and take a stance against violence faced by women rather than watching helplessly. Volunteer with groups that support women’s rights to learn more about it. Moreover, it also allows you to contribute to change through it. To sum it up, a country can only transform when its women get an equal say in everything and are treated equally.
The writer is Student of Law, Quaid e Azam University Islamabad, can be reached at email: cadetabdal@gmail.com
