Essay On the Topic Women's Place in our Society | 500+ Words Essays

 

Women's Place in our Society
 OR
The Status of Women in Pakistan

 

In the olden times, the activities of women were restricted to Performing domestic duties and they were considered to be merely Child-producing machines. Not only physically but also intellectually they were thought to be inferior to men. They were denied all sorts of political, social, and civic rights. The position of a woman was like that of a pair of shoes in the Hindu Society. If it fitted in feet well and good; if it did not it •could be discarded. She had no say in her wedding-. In case of her husband's death, she was forced to be burnt alive. She was denied the property right. "Woman is the root of the evils," says the Old Testament. Even in the pre-Islamic Arab Society if a daughter was born .to a woman, she would bury her alive out of shame. It was customary among the Arabs that a man could marry as many wives as he liked and he could desert them any time he liked.

Women ought to be thankful to Islam. For the first time in history, Islam gave a respectful position to women in society. Surah "The Women" has described in detail the rights and duties of women and has determined their status in society. In Islamic society, women are as important and respectable as men. There are various aspects of women. She is a mother, a wife, and a daughter. Showing great respect to the mother the Holy Prophet, said, "Verily, the paradise lies under the feet of the mother". Just as a man has the right to divorce his wife, the wife can also ask for separation from her husband. Islam forbids beating wives. She can give away her own income and property to anyone. She can take a certain amount from her husband's wealth even without the knowledge of her husband. In the same way, the Holy, Prophet has given the tidings of paradise to a person who brings up his two daughters.

Western civilization has apparently granted equal rights to men and women. They have been allowed or rather encouraged to work in offices, shops, factories, clubs, and elsewhere. In the name of freedom, man has tried to exploit her feminine charm and to befool her. Thus, she shares the economic burden and provides man an opportunity of enjoying a carefree life. Recently they have entered into competition with men. They have produced politicians like Mrs. Gandhi and Benazir Bhutto, poetess’s like Parveen Shakir and Zaib-un-Nisa, Scientists like Madame Curie, brave fighters like Ch and Bib; and Razia Sultana, in certain cases„ they have even excelled men. In short, Eve is making herself feel everywhere.

Many thinkers do not like the idea of women taking an active part in public life. Their real greatness lies in their role as mothers. The mother can bring up the right sort of children is a great benefactor of society. It is rightly said, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world". But this does not mean that they are suitable for any and every job. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, about 40% of women are doing various jobs, Islam recognizes the equality of man and woman.

Even in Pakistan, the law has given women status equal to that of men. In short, it is quite clear that with the advancement of education more and more women will be seen working in different departments. They will not limit their activities to domestic affairs. As Susan Anthony, a famous woman worker, says "Modern inventions have banished the spinning-wheel, and the same law of progress makes the woman of today a different woman from her grandmother".