The Mirror Bride: An Analysis Of The Gender Gap In Pakistan

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GENDER GAP IN PAKISTAN INTRODUCTION Pakistan is a nation still prone to change as any other nation in the globe. Its perspective is molded by the socio historical aspects of Islamic rule, British colonialism, religious fanatics and Muslim illumination proposed by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (Qurashi, 1967). This helped in redefining the conventional roles of genders in the Muslim society. Equal opportunities for women in all walk of social life was his version of modernity. His worked forcefully helped the Muslim women to come out of their stereotypical role in the society. Under his supervision, Deputy Nazir Ahmed pictured a new image of Muslim women in his novel The Mirror Bride during the pre-independence era. Asghari Begum, the central character in the novel holds up to an intellectual yet intelligent women, who actively participates in the household management as well as financial decision and is morally aware of her obligations. Right in accordance to the Sir Syed view the founders of Pakistan held a similar view of equal rights of women in the administration and affairs of the community and the state. Jinnah despite of the harsh criticism by the religious groups took his sister Fatima Jinnah along and other educated Muslim women in his campaign for the creation of an independent Pakistan. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, Fatima Jinnah …show more content…

Most of the schools in the rural areas are not approachable and feasible for girls in comparison to boys. On the other hand the stereotypical thought process still prevails, as investing in girls for education is considered pointless as the ultimate aim is to get them married and send them to another house as housewife (Economic Advisor’s Wing,

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