Pakistani Women Intent on Exercising the Right to Vote on May 11 Despite Prejudice

All throughout Pakistan men have received letters warning them to keep their sisters, daughters, and wives from the precincts on May 11. There is now a certain measure of fear for the safety of Pakistani women when the polls open next week. The leaflets that are being distributed state that that participation of women in this exercise of democracy is “un-Islamic.”

The upcoming May11 election is dubbed a youth election because 1/3 of the registered voters are between the ages of 18 and 29. The days leading to the election are riddled with incidences of violence.

Determined to make themselves heard

Young Pakistani women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formerly the North West Frontier Province are taking action and planning to challenge the government’s inaction on the issue. They have organized their own teams designed to protect women voters in the province. They are a very determined group and they intend to overcome sociopolitical obstacles. The rural areas in Pakistan are the most volatile, and volunteers will be out there to help women voters on this very important day for the nation.

Aware Girls

The founder and director of the Aware Girls movement is 23 year-old Saba Ismail. This peace group was formed by women with the purpose of training female Pakistanis to become leaders. The plan is to monitor a total of 30 polling stations. Volunteers will provide Pakistani women support. They are also hoping to reach many women voters.

Ismail’s Aware Girls was instrumental in the training of Malala Yousafzai, the internationally known activist for the educational rights of Pakistani girls. Fifteen year old Yousafzai was shot in an assassination attempt by the Taliban in October 2012. Malala Yousafzai is considered by Pakistani women a hero and role model for them all. Ismail says that she is proud of her and the role that her group has played into molding her into what she has become. The 15-year old has become an inspiration for many women who now feel empowered to vote.

The female vote

In the 2008 elections, Ismail said that women were told that casting a vote was a vulgar act and polling stations were even set on fire. At this time, Pakistani women are intent on not being told who to vote for by family members. The traditional practice is that women are ordered by the men in the family to follow their bidding. Women are typically utilized in order to reach a set quota.

The prejudice against women is widespread and even women politicians are treated as if they are only there to do men’s bidding. On Pakistani national TV for example, female politicians involved in a debate were asked whether or not women should be allowed to work when they take so much time readying for work since they still put make-up on.

Preparing for Election Day

A record turnout is expected this year, but the army is still deploying 70,000 soldiers in the four provinces of Pakistan on May 11 to provide security and ensure that order is maintained. There are expectations that some polls may not open due to fears of violence.