THIS is in response to Raja Shafaatullah’s letter ‘Gender bias’. I think we must at least give credit to those who have done something for women in our society by giving them more than equal opportunities.
Besides equal opportunities for competing in public-sector jobs, women are given additional 10 pc quota so that they could fill the gap.
For protection of women in offices a bill has been passed for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace.
Some of the fault lies on part of the women and mostly their families.
As regards medical profession, I have seen that the ratio of women is more than that of men in public-sector educational institutions where the government spends millions on them, but it has been noticed that most girls do not opt for continuing the profession.
I seems that reason behind becoming a doctor is to get a good marriage proposal.
Not just in medical profession but other educational institutions are also full of women students.
However, when we look at the merit lists of competitive examinations, we don’t see enough number of women candidates. This is because they decide to get married and be housewives.
Our society also doesn’t accept women working in private and public sectors, except for a few professions like medical and teaching.
Thus, non-recognition of household work results in reinforcement of gender discrimination and inequality.
The situation must change.
IRFAN KHUHRO
Islamabad
