Wrapped in a shawl embroidered by herself and wearing traditional shalwar
kameez, a baggy shirt and trousers, Mai was jubilant as she anticipated the
election of two housewives from Meerwala to a district council.
''I hope these women will help resolve problems of all women. This can only be
done if women are fully empowered,'' said Mai, who caused a storm of bad
publicity for Pakistan and became an international symbol for womens' rights
after speaking out over her gang rape ordeal three years ago.
Pakistan, a Muslim nation of 150 million people, is in the midst of an exercise
in grass roots democracy, that is also aimed at giving women a greater say by
reserving them seats in representative bodies.
The first phase of elections for district councils was held on August 19 when
53 of the country's 110 districts voted. The remaining districts will cast
their ballots on Thursday.
Turnout was put around 50 percent in the first round, but among women it was
less, ranging from 43 per cent in populous Punjab province to 16 per cent in
North West Frontier Province, where there have been allegations that women were
barred from casting their ballots in some constituencies.
Positive Sign
A general who came to power following a bloodless military coup six years ago,
President Pervez Musharraf's democratic credentials are often criticised, but
he is credited with reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in local and
provincial assemblies.
''Creating space for women, peasants and labourers is one of the positive
aspects of these elections,'' Khawar Mumtaz, a Lahore-based activist for
women's rights.
However, Mumtaz noted hundreds of men and women candidates won unopposed,
raising suspicions that many others were prevented from filing nomination
papers or had their applications rejected.
Mai, who used money donated by the Pakistan government and supporters at home
and abroad to establish a school for girls in Meerwala, canvassed door-to-door
to get village womenfolk to come out and vote.
Up to eight women stood for election, she said, and if most of them ended up
losing, at least they were taking part.
''Success and defeat are part of the game, but I am happy that women stood in
the elections and they cast their vote. I hope they will participate in the
future as well,'' she said.
Mai's village of Meerwala is set in the rural south of southern Punjab
province, a place where traditional feudal and tribal ways hold sway and women
have long suffered rough justice.
In 2002, a village council ordered the gang rape of Mai as punishment after her
brother, who was just 12 at the time, was judged to have offended tribal honour
by befriending a 30-year-old woman from a more powerful clan.
In June, Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the re-arrest of 13 men accused of
involvement in the crime, pending the outcome of Mai's appeal against a high
court decision to overturn the convictions and free the men.
Mai's dogged pursuit of justice may have embarrassed the government abroad, but
it also gave courage to other victims to speak out against a lack of action
against rapists.
''Some change is now visible and now women talk about their rights but it still
will take some more time to improve womens' lot. Change cannot happen in a
single day,'' Mai said.
Musharraf has called for a review of Islamic laws deemed discriminatory against
women in an effort to turn Pakistan into a more moderate and modern Muslim
nation.
