Misogyny is the hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women or girls. Misogyny is manifest in numerous ways, including social exclusion, sex discrimination, hostility, androcentrism, patriarchy, male privilege, belittling of women, disenfranchisement of women, violence against women, and sexual objectification.
Misogyny in Pakistani society and culture is present due to its flawed up-bringing or the male population. The society constantly makes the male population think that they are highly entitled and women are there to fulfill their desires and whims. The up-bringing in Pakistan is very flawed cause the male population in never taught how to act on their own, how to do several of things on their own, the male population pretty much grows up unable to be self-sufficient. This causes the male population to think of the female population as below them present only to complete their desires as well as be their care takers. Due to their flawed up-bringing, the male population is often involved in degrading, cat-calling, sexual harassment, hostility, prejudice and so many more offenses against the female gender.
There are an infinite amount of incidents which have been reporting regarding physical and sexual harassment in public and behind closed doors. The root of the violence and degradation against females is the flawed up-bringing and how the society sees the female gender. The society is constantly trying to suppress the female gender in terms of career opportunities , social interaction, political careers and such related fields.
Islam is the biggest and most popular religion in Pakistan with 95-98% approx. of its population being Muslim. Muslims are staunch believers in The Holy Quran and Sunnah, however they subjectively interpret many verses from The Holy Quran and Ahadith as well. An example of the following is The fourth chapter (or surah) of the The Holy Quran is called "Women" (Al-Nisa). The 34th verse is a key verse in feminist criticism of Islam.The verse reads: "Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great." Due to the subjective interpretation of this verse ,the male society proclaims that the female gender is inferior and in a disgusting way,”their property”.
In order to fight misogyny in our society we need to take steps such as re-evaluating our process of up-bringing the male gender. We need to empower women so that they can break these stereo-types and break free from the chains and shackles of Misogyny. We need to teach our population the objective interpretation of Islam , The Holy Quran and Ahadith. We need laws that protect the female gender and enforces their rights in case anyone does violate them. If we follow the above steps ,I believe we can definitely fight back well against misogyny in our society. I pray that our society can be rid of Misogyny and its various other forms in the near future (Ameen).
