The Express Tribune hi five - July 13

Ms JULY 13, 2014

ISSUE NO. 108

Eid Style Guide

4

page

Transport Trauma Can public transport ease your path to success?

2

page

inside mother superior —

5 ways to get your ‘me’ time

domestic goddess —

A taste of China

8

page

Section In-Charge: Sarah Munir Sub-Editor: Amna Hashmi

The Industrious Hina Butt

2

Ms

the buzz

Over the past few years, several issues have been raised with regard to the transport mechanisms available in Pakistan and whether or not they are safe for use by the women in the country. When it comes to public transport, the knee-jerk reaction is that it should provide an easy form of conveyance for people across the world, regardless of their gender or location. At the other end of the spectrum, however, lies a ruthless and often brutal side to public transport that reinforces misogyny and its ensuing consequences

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 13, 2014

by Muhammad Ahmed Saigol

Is public transport in Pakistan an inhibitor or a potential road to success?

3

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 13, 2014

In general, our society regards transport as a seemingly banal issue that does not warrant enough attention: the rich are comfortable within their air-conditioned cars and the poor lack the resources to bring about a change, even if they wanted to. But of late, incidents like that of the 23-year-old Delhi-based physiotherapy student who was gang raped on her bus ride home from school in late 2012 have shocked the collective conscience of society. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) repeatedly highlights the need for safe transportation for women, claiming that the lack thereof is one of the leading contributors to unemployment. Such is the case of 26-year-old domestic worker Shagufta Wali who has retired voluntarily after being sexually harassed by strange men over a year ago. “Not only do I want to work, I really need to work for my family,” she says. “But I can’t bring myself to ride the bus again after my last experience and any other transport like rickshaws or taxis are very expensive.” Shagufta is therefore, waiting for a segregated or women’s-only bus system to be established in Karachi so that she may work again.

For the women of Pakistan to advance, our public transport must be made more gender-neutral and welcoming towards the average woman.

Perhaps it was for women like Shagufta that the Pink Bus Service (with male drivers but female conductors) was launched in Lahore during 2012, as an effort to offer women harassment-free travel. If successful, the service was to be expanded to other cities in Pakistan, covering as many traffic routes as was possible. Unfortunately, little has been done towards fulfilling this promise. The idea that women are unable to defend themselves and hence, should remain home still plagues most working-class households. Ultimately, this culminates in illiteracy, unemployment and a sense of inertia and instability due to a constructed immobility in the minds of local women, as witnessed in Rukhsana Jabeen. “I have never felt safe sending my daughters to school,” admits the 34-year-old mother of four. “I have this constant worry that the worst will happen – they will either get attacked, raped or murdered and never return home. I discontinued their schooling for this reason. I would rather they remain alive!”

One might question whether the fear of harassment is indeed valid or irrational but it is unfortunate that sleazy catcalls, ‘accidental’ skin contact and ogling have become regular occurrences on public commutes. According to Seher Hafeez, brand strategy and partnerships manager at Naya Jeevan, “Women end up at a loss as the vehicles are overcrowded with men with little ‘safe’ space left for them. Consequently, there is little they can do to avoid unpleasant encounters.” Many like Shamim Bano fall prey to harassment daily on their way to work. “Many times, I have noticed men staring at me with the wrong intentions and there isn’t anything I can do about it!” Passive internalisation and lack of stringent laws discourage these women from lodging legal complaints and so, the cycle continues. “My friends and I have tried to complain but to no avail,” shares Shamim. “Nobody listens. They all ask for proof but how can I possibly give proof of a man staring at me?” This feeling of helplessness not only usurps women’s rights for secure travel, it also begets a sense of resignation and resentment towards working for a particular income.

Additionally, a regular complaint women have regarding local public transport is the lack of a hygienic and aesthetically pleasing environment on the vehicles.

“I am a clean person and I pray five times a day. The state of our local busses, taxis and rickshaws is pathetic and I wish there was a more hygienic way for me to travel,” complains domestic worker Helena Aftab. The transport regime which defines most provincial regions of Pakistan is characterised by a general obsolescence with frequent time lags, dirty and torn seats and poor ventilation.

41-year-old Sikandar Butt, who works as a guard in a posh locality of Karachi lends credence to Helena’s woes. “I might be a man but the poor state of affairs of our local transport bothers me just as much,” he shares. “Nobody enjoys having to spend hours in the heat outside, waiting for their bus to arrive so that they can travel home crushed between sweaty and equally-frustrated strangers.” Dearth of finances and the carefree attitude of municipal officials ensure

that any measures taken to improve these conditions are futile. The discomfort of having to commute on such vehicles often causes health problems for women like 28-year-old chef Fatima Renu who suffers from chronic backache as a result of walking to and from her workplace every day. “My back has given up and I am exhausted all the time,” says Fatima. “I have seen many doctors but the pain persists. The government refuses to fix public transport and I can either stay home or walk to work.” Women also lose access to basic, quality healthcare or financial inclusion at the cost of the physical and mental trauma of their daily commutes. As a social entrepreneur, Seher has recently taken a great initiative by launching Busanti, a campaign to provide safe and dignified transport” along with “quality healthcare and financial mobility” for the working-class. The project has received grants for women’s-only busses and Seher and her team hope to implement is by the end of the year.

In our nuanced understanding of domestic travel, the crucial question to answer is not what can be done to enhance transport in Pakistan but how important it is that our women progress towards an egalitarian parity with their male counterparts. The experiences of Shagufta, Rukhsana, Shamim, Helena and Fatima all hint at an underlying feminist mindset that seeks to be independant and demands safe public transport so that they can continue working without fear.

The idea that women are unable to defend themselves and hence, should remain home still plagues most working-class households. Ultimately, this culminates in illiteracy, unemployment and a sense of inertia and instability due to a constructed immobility in the minds of local women If so many women’s issues boil down to transport and commutation, then it is imperative that we revamp, revitalise and rejuvenate the system. This applies not just to the vehicles but the people who use them as well. The prevalent alpha-male ideology, female oppression and other gender stereotypes should not find traction within something as ‘normal’ as transport space. “Taking the bus or walking to work are everyday matters which should not create divisions within society,” says Fatima. “Women resent the men who harass them in public and that is understandable. But the men seem to resent those same women for they are courageous enough to make a living for themselves. I think men feel challenged because of our plight and hence, react in absurd ways.”

A well-functioning, clean, affordable and most importantly, secure transport system is crucial for the socio-economic progress in any country. For the women of Pakistan to advance, our public transport must be made more genderneutral and welcoming towards the average woman. A woman has her rights in the private and public domain and nothing especially not public transport, should rob her of them.

4

Ms

en vogue

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 13, 2014

Fashion for the summer Eid Origins display’s its latest ready-to-wear collection for the Eid season

5

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 13, 2014

Coordination: Catalyst PR & Marketing Label: Origins Photography: Akif Ilyas Hair & Makeup: Akif Ilyas Model: Mehvash Hayat

6

Ms

mother superior

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 13, 2014

Ways To Get Your by Saba Khalid

How to find time for yourself and why it matters With the way our lives go – swift and severe against time – it is easy to get completely lost in its wake, especially if you are a working mother. Women today want to have it all – a family, a satisfying career, community involvement etc. From the moment they open their eyes in the morning, someone or something is almost always begging for their attention, be it a crying toddler, an irritable domestic worker or impending presentation deadline.

Unfortunately, often having it all leaves us with no time or energy for ourselves. Between the daily humdrum of domestic and work life, the only thing that gets ignored is you.

The lesser time you spend with yourself, reflecting and treating yourself right, the more likely you are to become like that one childhood friend you once knew so well but grew apart over time. With every passing year, you will grow further apart from your inner-self and more often than not, it will reflect in your attitude towards your family and work.

Hence, the occasional date with yourself is necessary for your mental wellbeing.

Taking some ‘me’ time when you have a family, home and work to cater to may seem like a selfish act but rest assured, it will help you create a more balanced, calm and happy experience for yourself and those around you. So centre yourself back in and relax with these five easy steps towards a better, improved you. Satisfaction is guaranteed!

A weekly retreat Ask for help The modern woman must remember that she is not and does not have to be Superwoman; you don’t have to manage all chores on your own. Especially if you are a working woman, you strategies must change along with your circumstances. If your children are of suitable age, involve them in the daily work routine. In fact, ask your spouse to help around the house when your domestic help is absent and make a chore wheel to keep things interesting. This is particularly beneficial in the summer holiday season when children are off from school and looking for a way to keep busy. Offer them a reward for each chore they complete to keep them motivated.

Not only will this inculcate the habit of helping in your children, you will also manage to complete your tasks faster, meaning more time for ‘me’ time. If you want to be balanced, do only what you can reasonably do and ask for help when you need it.

Simplify Who said you couldn’t get some personal time at home? Beat exhaustion by learning to say no – at least sometimes – to your friends’ invitations. Try not to overschedule your activities as well as your children’s and clear out your office responsibilities as much as you can, especially over the weekend. When you have fewer social commitments, lesser chores to complete or deadlines to meet, there are many more opportunities for ‘me’ time. not to mention, too many commitments can only result in a great deal of hustle-bustle. Therefore, keep it simple and avoid too many appointments and tasks for one day.

You might need to take time off of work or arrange for a babysitter but plan at least a few hours each week all for yourself and then stick to it. This weekly break can include a visit to the spa, a lunch with your friends or a quick gym session that will keep you active. But most importantly, give yourself the permission to do this. Feeling guilty over leaving your homes unattended or work unfinished will counteract everything this day is meant for!

Writing a journal Multitasking can be daunting and having to do it daily can lead to immense emotional stress. Many a times, those around you are so busy multitasking themselves to lend you a shoulder to lean on. In times like these, a diary or journal can be of great help. So on days when you feel like breaking down, grab a pen and paper and simply pour your heart out. If it helps, make it a habit to write at least a few lines about your day before bed and marvel over your emotional growth over the years. Once your emotions on paper, you will feel like a load has been taken off your chest.

The lonely traveler Location doesn’t matter so long as you are on the go! A short trip to a nearby destination will not only provide a break from the daily routine but travelling alone will also relax your mind. Even simply visiting another city within the country can suffice. Granted a lonely retreat is extremely difficult to manage, especially if your children are young but a quick outing to another city or country can do you good.

If your children are older, plan a longer holiday to an exotic location along with your friends and gift yourself a change of scenery. You will make lifelong memories along with some much-deserved ‘me’ time.

domestic goddess 7

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 13, 2014

Recipe

Fried Chicken Wontons The ideal light snack for your next iftaar party

Method

Huba Akbar is currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. In her free time, she likes to write, design clothes and cook.

• Heat oil in a pan and fry the minced chicken with the spices and ginger-garlic paste.

• Add oyster sauce, green onions and green chillies and cook for about 10 minutes.

• In a separate bowl, mix flour, egg and a little bit of olive oil until it forms a sticky paste.

• Roll out each of the strips flat and put the egg and flour paste on the corners of each.

• Place a spoonful of the chicken mince in the centre of each strip, along with the coriander, and seal the strips. Make sure no air is left inside.

Ingredient:

• Repeat the process for the remaining strips.

• Fry the wontons until they become goldenbrown in colour.

• Use tissue to soak the oil.

Roll strips 6 -7 sheets

Chicken (minced) 1 cup

Green onion stalks (chopped) 2

Oyster sauce 1 tbsp

Ginger and garlic paste 1 tbsp

Black pepper 1/2 tsp

Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp

Coriander (chopped)

Green chilli (chopped) 1

Flour 1/2 cup

Egg 1

Salt 1/2 tsp

• Serve the wonton with a dip, raita or chutney of your choice.

woman of the week 8

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JULY 13, 2014

e th At n ta kis Pa n io sh Fa 4.

01 k2 ee W Showcasing Tee na.

Diaries

es ani powerhous orld of Pakist w e th to in e A glimps

Me w earin g my

bly unjab Assem Member of P

a pie ce fr om m y co llect ion.