Musharraf concern at women image

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Wednesday, 7 September 2005, 13:06 GMT 14:06 UK

Musharraf concern at women image

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has said his country should not
be singled out for its treatment of women.

His comments came while addressing a conference on violence against
women in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

But two of Pakistan's leading women's rights groups have declined to
participate in the meeting.

<snip>

Representatives of the AGHS and the Human Rights Commission of
Pakistan say they see no point in being part of what they describe
is "a farcical event".

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4222400.stm

[sui generis]

1. that's a shame

that some of the women's rights groups won't participate.

Musharraf is a secularist and a modernist and has the unenviable task of keeping his country from collapsing into medieval chaos, as it already stands on the brink.

With five contentious political parties, the ever present threat of a religious civil war, and vestiges of corruption among the police, paramilitary, and some parts of the military itself, when Musharraf brings issues like this to the forefront, women's groups do themselves a disservice by posturing rather than participating.

[Totally Committed]

2. You're joking. Right?

Have you read none of the stories about his participation in the persecution of women who have tried to complain about the rape squads in Pakistan?

This man is an enabler of the persecution of women in his country.

The NYT Op-Eds by Kristol, in particular are recommended reading before you go endorsing a monster like this.

I don't care how "secular" he is, he still answers to the religious groups that keep him in power.

TC

On edit: In addition to the Kristol Op-Eds in the NYT, please see:

BBC: Musharraf backs rape-case officer
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4293753.stm

Musharraf’s hypocrisy won’t end violence to women
National Assembly in Pakistan passes a Bill on 'honour killings'.
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2004/11/03pakistan.html

Musharraf = Coward
http://tomwatson.typepad.com/tom_watson/2005/06/musharraf_cowar.html

Rape and Public Relations
http://tomwatson.typepad.com/tom_watson/2005/06/rape_and_public.html

Musharraf barred travel by rape victim
http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/jun/17pak1.htm

This man is and AMERICAN ALLY!

Google is a good source for this info.

[sui generis]

3. no I'm not joking

living in Pakistan for a while is recommended too - getting your information from more than just high and mighty western sources.

[Totally Committed]

4. I don't have to travel anywhere, thank you. Rape is wrong. Period.

And, I don't get that opinion from "high and mighty western sources". I worked with female victims of rape and violence for years, and know the devastation and the horror. My sources were not "high and mighty", just up close and personal.

ANYONE -- ANYONE who enables violence against women actively, or passively is no friend to women. I don't care how secular he is or how many reforms he's made.

TC

[sui generis]

5. everybody has a trump card

so what, then, do you propose is the solution today?

If Musharraf is going to propose reforms and nobody comes to the table, they are idiots.

Posturing is a waste of time.

Take advantage of the moment, state your case, let him own his past, whatever, but posturing is stupid, passive aggressive, and doesn't achieve ANYTHING.