Even if the Pakistani constitution has stipulated equality between men and women since 1973, the reality in the predominantly Muslim country is very different. Life in Pakistan is shaped by old customs and traditions. Many girls are married very young. Forced marriage is not only a tradition among followers of the Muslim faith, but rather arose from a common cultural tradition that also lives on in the few Christian families. Women do not play a major role in Pakistan’s public life. They are rarely seen in the street and when they are, they are usually accompanied by their husbands. The Taliban’s influence is still great, especially in the areas bordering Afghanistan. Violence and oppression plague the lives of women there.
But Pakistan’s history was also shaped by its remarkable women: Benazir Bhutto was the first woman to head an Islamic state. She was Prime Minister from 1988 to 1997 and, among many other causes, also strove to advance the rights of women in her country. One young girl who recently made history is Malala Yousafzai. She fought for girls’ right to an education and, as an internationally known blogger, drew attention to their grievances. Malala survived an attack by the Taliban seriously injured and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, at the age of 17.