Pakistan’s New Patriarchs
If a woman demonstrates that the men in a political party, in the army or on a court bench are a bunch
of nincompoops, the new patriarchy responds a lot like the old patriarchy: She is asking for trouble.
The new patriarchy will respect women but it makes subtle demands: First, go get shot, get doused in acid or get raped, and then we will be with you.
While some of the country’s most powerful men have lined up to lick the boots of every new military
dictator, Ms. Jahangir’s activism has sent those dictators into impotent fits of rage.
Khadija Siddiqui, a law student, was hailed as a role model: Stabbed 23 times in the face
and the neck during an assault last year, she took her attacker to court despite threats from his influential family and friends.
Ms. Wazir was asking for trouble so badly that she entered politics, joined Mr. Khan’s party, won a seat in the National Assembly
and then left the party denouncing its culture of harassment.
Yes, she is being hailed as a role model on TV, but really, in a society where all talk about women
boils down to their being mothers, sisters and daughters, who wants a role model like that?