Day: April 11, 2012

By Anna Khan

The writer works at a venture capital firm in New York. She is an honour’s graduate of Stanford University

Pakistan embodies a strange contradiction when it comes to women in positions of power and influence. On one hand, the country boasts a female ambassador to the US, speaker of the House, foreign minister and the first female prime minister of a Muslim state. On the other hand, we are plagued with dowry abuse, domestic violence and acid throwing incidents. How can these two parallels coexist within one nation? Personally, I can only speak of the imbalance in the business world, especially in the field of technology. The current state of women in technology can be framed around two key points: fundamentals of the business and the influence of socialisation.

In fundamentals of the business, unsurprisingly, there are certain gendered traits that help men succeed in this industry.

a) Gut response: The capitalist ’gut’, although overzealously hyped, often turns out to be true. There is a certain feeling you get the minute a team walks in, the way it introduces its first slide, and the way it answers tough questions that gives you a sense of its ability to execute plans. It is hard to trust that gut because so often it is saturated with bias; but that bias is also a proxy for experience. Women need to trust that experience as much as men do and then not look back and second-guess their actions.

b) Risk and reward: It is not a secret that engaging in venture capitalism is a risky business. You can be a safe investor and be very metrics driven (which helps), but at the core of it, you are investing money in a premature, greenfield market space — one that is ripe for reward but also very susceptible to failure. I do not necessarily believe women are inherently risk averse. I have met many who are not. However, the way women measure themselves often becomes more about them as individuals and less about them as investors. According to a recent study on the ways in which women measure themselves, researchers discovered that when women suffered poorly on tests, they blamed themselves.

‘We could have done better. We could have studied harder.’
The majority of men, however, blamed the test itself.
‘The test was too hard. The questions weren’t phrased well.’

Everyone makes poor investments; it is part and parcel of the job. Often, it is the market that did not play out well, a team that did not perform, or other external factors that have little to do with the investor who called the shots. Women need to internalise that reality.

c) Building networks: Women are good at building relationships — it is part of their innate ability to nurture that comes with giving birth and raising a family. Women have, for the most part, been able to connect with individuals with ease and warmth. But men are better at networking in a professional setting. A core aspect of building networks is asking for favours, and with favours comes indebtedness. Women fear indebtedness. Networks exist for the sole purpose of the ‘you scratch my back, I scratch yours’ mantra. If women do not ask for favours, they are bestowed with fewer. They need to ask for more help. It will make them stronger, not weaker.

The second key point mentioned earlier, was the influence of socialisation. Socialisation is a generational trend and when underestimated, is hard to work past. In the US, financial services (Wall Street) and advertising (Madison Avenue), were not only dominated by men, but were also infamously toxic places to work in. The trends that developed in both industries were extremely hard to overcome due to years of an embedded environment. The role of the secretary did as much good as it did harm. It let women into the proverbial ‘door’ but then locked them up in that specific role with little upward or lateral mobility.

Technology and venture investing (although an offshoot of financial services), can avoid this generational influence. This industry is relatively new but ‘women-ready’ roles have already started settling in: community managers, sales executives, marketing vice-presidents. I admire and respect the women in these roles and the influence they have in their respective companies — but I am afraid these roles are becoming gendered. Technology is a dynamic and fluid ecosystem and women’s roles should follow a similarly fluid trajectory.

Gendered roles are one part of the problem. The other is the label fallacy we are propagating in our schools and colleges. I know it is important to intentionally create pathways for young girls to succeed — but how many times do they have to hear that it is incredible that a girl is majoring in mechanical engineering or computer science? How many times do they have to hear from their friends that being the only female engineer on Company X’s product team is a feat worth being lauded for? These feats should be intrinsic and accepted widely.

Women in my generation (18 to 35 years) can make an effort to project positive experiences about the technology industry for younger women (still in middle or high school). College, although many would disagree, is not the problem. The real problem and space for improvement is in middle and high school. If we start early, we protect girls from the influence of socialisation and point instead to role models who have affected change in society.

The Express Tribune

By Asad Kharal

LAHORE: In yet another horrific incident of domestic violence, a woman was burnt alive by her in-laws allegedly as ‘punishment’ for not being able to have a son. The incident took place in Chaghjwal village of Narowal district.

Sobia Bibi, wife of Irfan Rasool and a mother to a girl, was often abused by her in-laws for not bearing a son, said her uncle, Muhammad Afzal.

According to a First Information Report (FIR), available with The Express Tribune, Afzal accused Sobia’s husband, mother-in-law Khursheed Bibi, sister-in-laws Zahida Bibi and Shahida Bibi and the latter’s husband Abdul Ghaffar for burning Sobia alive as ‘punishment’ for not bearing a son.

Afzal, a resident of Mauza Malowaal, Shakar Garh tehsil, Narowaal district, said that he went over to his niece’s house upon learning that she had passed away.

When he, along with some family members, arrived at the house, they saw Sobia’s burnt body and grew immediately suspicious. According to Afzal, Sobia’s face was completely burnt.

When Afzal questioned Khursheed Bibi and the rest of the in-laws about the incident, they reluctantly stated that Sobia died after being burnt by short circuiting. However, Afzal checked the wiring of the room and found no signs of short-circuiting – the fan and other electronic goods were running in order. The ropes of the charpai (bed), however, were burnt.

“When we told them that everything seemed to be in order, Khursheed Bibi and the rest started abusing us and threatened us with dire consequences,” Afzal said, according to the FIR.

He alleged that Sobia had been a victim of torture at the hands of her in-laws for not having a son. His family often played the mediator between Sobia and her in-laws to resolve the matter, he added.

Her husband Irfan after a consensus and in connivance with his family burnt Sobia alive, the FIR stated.

Afzal added that most of the accused were at large and had threatened him with dire consequences if he pursued the case.

Investigation Officer (IO) Sub Inspector Muhammad Hussain told The Express Tribune that two of the accused – Zahida and Abdul Ghaffar – have been arrested, while arrests of the remaining accused would be made soon.

The IO said that during the course of investigation Zahida confessed to the crime, which she carried out with the help and consent of the other accused.

According to Hussain, Zahida said she had poured petrol all over Sobia’s body and immediately set fire to her but she ran into another room. However, they made another attempt and were this time, unfortunately, successful in burning her to death.

The Express Tribune

By Farrukh Khan Pitafi

The writer hosts a show called “Capital Circuit” for News One

On March 8, almost a month before the parliamentary ruckus over the domestic violence bill, scholar and activist Dr Fouzia Saeed, also MNA PPP and the mover of the bill, Yasmeen Rehman and another woman lawmaker from PML-N sat in my studio. It was a special for International Women’s Day and the discussion was on women’s rights. It was my unfortunate duty to disabuse the participants of any complacent views. Yet, their euphoria and optimism were contagious. I was finding it particularly difficult to convince them that a lot still needed to be done and whatever was achieved could easily be undone by the right wing. Faced by the possibility of annoying them all, I finally threw in the towel.

But my fears were soon proven right. After a few days, Fakhra Younus committed suicide and otherwise quite sane intellectuals were found rationalising the act of acid-throwing. A prime time host, a woman no less, even invited Bilal Khar, the man accused of throwing acid on Fakhra, to her show and allowed him to bad-mouth the deceased. The parliament, too, did not allow the name of Mr Khar to be included in the resolution demanding justice for Fakhra.

As if that was not enough, when the bill against domestic violence was presented in the senate, all hell broke loose and the parliament that we have so lovingly empowered was inundated by rants. A religious politician lost control and demanded that the bill which had already been cleared by the National Assembly be sent to the Council for Islamic Ideology, an unrepresentative body headed by Maulana Sherani, a member of Fazlur Rehman’s party. Later, President Asif Ali Zardari was to call Fazl and sympathise with him.

Why would anybody, not totally deranged, condone domestic violence and sabotage such an important bill? This question has been haunting me ever since. And yet, there they are. The children, brothers, fathers of women and yet, they want them to be beaten black and blue. And they use their religion to justify such barbaric acts.

Has it occurred to us that every time a woman is disfigured, hurt or killed we always manage to blame the victim? From Mukhtaran Mai to Fakhra Younus, why is it always the fault of women? In a country where men can get away with whatever they want, regardless of what their faith commands them or society demands of them, why should women always pay the price?

The time has come for the well-intentioned and conscientious men of this society to answer one question. Do they or do they not want women in their lives? If they don’t, the issue is settled and we can ask all women to leave the country en masse. But if they do want women to remain in their lives, they will have to end their silence and speak up now. The only parent who bore you for nine months, sirs, is a woman. The sibling who was always most affectionate towards you is a woman. The child who loves you blindly above anyone else will one day grow up to be a woman. Women in our lives have always been givers. Is it not time we give them something in return by ensuring that they are protected and no one can hurt them? Let us show them that we are not threatened by their happiness but rather we welcome it.

The Express Tribune

PESHAWAR – Women buyers have thronged different stalls set up at a two-day Spring Gala 2012, aimed to promote female entrepreneurs’ products and development of their businesses and linkages.

A diverse forms of collection of women outfits, including handmade embroidery, readymade stuffs, jewellery, handicraft, decoration pieces, and household items were put on display during the exhibition.

In the gala, more than 22 stalls were set up with variety of artistic elegance and skilled artwork of women entrepreneurs.

The event was held under the auspices of Razeen’s, an organization working for women business promotion activities and their empowerment in the province.

Fitrat Ilayas Bilour, a representative from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry, formally inaugurated the event in a modest way here on Tuesday.

The women buyers took keen interest in the diverse and mix range of women artwork crafted with skill.

Faiza Atif, a young entrepreneur, while explaining the idea behind her businesses to media on the occasion, she said that they had started their business at a very minor scale at domestic level, which has gradually grown after propping up by family members.

She added that such activities would encourage women entrepreneur to come to different business.

She further added that women have much potential to show the artistic skills and compete with entrepreneurs of other provinces.

She also eulogized the efforts of Razeen’s for organizing the women business development event. “We would gradually expand our own business after getting overwhelm response from the buyers via this event,” she determined.

Fitrat, while talking to media, stressed the need for women economic empowerment, saying women are playing a vital role for development of the country. “We should ensure young female entrepreneurs at a grass root level,” she maintained and said that the event was an encouraging sign to provide an opportunity to women businesspersons to promote their businesses.

“Our women have much potential to compete both at national and international level, but there was a need to create healthy business environment for them,” she stressed.

She asked the women entrepreneurs to work at a joint platform to get recognized of their skill-work and products.

Wajeeda, the organizer and representative of Razeen’s, expressed the hope that the two-day business promotion event would be helpful in promoting women products and develop linkages among other female entrepreneurs.

The Nation

Myra Imran

To build public opinion against acid crimes, the Oscar-winning documentary ‘Saving the Face’ by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy will be released soon in Pakistan with translation in national and regional languages.

The information to this effect was shared during a panel discussion on ‘Acid attack and its effect on society.’ The discussion, attended by an audience of more than 150 university students and officials from across Pakistan, was sponsored jointly by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Aurat Foundation, and the Acid Survivors Foundation with the US support. Dr. Marilyn Wyatt, wife of US ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, moderated the event.

The panel included Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Professor Hamid Hassan, a doctor who heads the burn unit at the Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi, Dr. Khadija Tahir, a psychotherapist that treats acid survivors, Barrister Naveed Muzaffar Khan, a lawyer who defends victims of acid attacks, and Executive Director of Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) Valerie Khan and Aurat Foundation representative and activist Samina Naz. HEC Chairman Dr. Javaid Laghari also spoke on the occasion.

The discussants called for an end to acid attacks and other violence against women and urged all sections of society to come forward and demand strong legislation against the crime and its effective implementation. They said that to bring the change, the whole nation has to reject the acid crimes.

Sharing statistics, Executive Director Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) Valerie Khan said that around 200 such attacks occur annually in the country with most of them reported in southern Punjab and northern Sindh. She said that 70 per cent of acid crime victims are women whereas 30 per cent are men and boys. “In 60 per cent of cases, the reason is domestic dispute,” she said.

Applauding the efforts of the Pakistani legislature to pass acid attack legislation, Dr. Marilyn Wyatt asked the attendees to work to end gender-based violence, specifically acid attacks. She said that the main objective of the event is to raise awareness among university students about the devastating effects of acid attacks and acid crimes on Pakistani society.

“Pakistan’s youth demographic represents 60 per cent of the nation’s citizenry, it is important that you sensitise yourself to this important issue so that your mothers, sisters, and daughters do not suffer from this gruesome crime,” she said.

Dr. Wyatt said that acid victims face acute physical and psychological sufferings; they lose their identity and are deprived of their relationships and friendships. “It is our responsibility to help these victims and play our role in the implementation of the legislation against the hideous crime.”

Sharmeen said that her achievement shows the power of telling story. “The stories of acid crime make headlines in the media but we actually fail to see what these victims have to go through once they survive the attack.” Giving credit to the acid crime survivors, she said that she was lucky to find the strong voices that were brave enough to break the silence. She stressed on the need for educating women about the existence of law against acid crime. “We need to take them out of the mindset that they are responsible for what happened to them,” she said.

Responding to a question asked by a university student regarding the fact that the documentary on acid victims has given Pakistan another bad headline in international media, Sharmeen said that the headline was always positive for Pakistan and was about a Muslim woman receiving the highest documentary-making award. “It has given the image of a country that has the courage to face and solve its problems,” she said. Her answer received appreciation from the young crowd, who expressed their consent with clapping.

About a suggestion of working together with religious leaders, she said that Islamic Health in UK has been working together with the institution of mosques where they discuss acid crime with the community. “The idea is to repeat the same in Pakistan.” She said that the documentary will be released in Pakistan soon and the priority is to share it with the rural population. She stressed the need of more such interactions in the universities. “Nothing can change without the involvement of youth,” she opined. Highlighting legal aspects, Barrister Naveed Muzaffar Khan said that Acid Crime Prevention Act 2011 was originally an amendment in Pakistan Penal Code, which redefined acid crime in the law and enhanced the punishment. “It was the first step. The next step is to bring Acid and Burn Crime Legislation that is a comprehensive legislation,” he said while adding that to end the crime, it is vital to control the easy availability of concentrated acid.

The News