The 51st radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on January 11, 2019, on the theme of “Importance of Gender Equality for Social Cohesion”.
The guest on show, Mr. Inamullah Marwat, Analyst, The Nation, noted the gender equality is a prerequisite for social cohesion where all members of a society – regardless of their gender, colour, cast, creed, and social, economic and political backgrounds – are treated equally, given equal opportunities and considered important part of the society. The difference between sex and gender also needs to be understood to foster gender equality. The cohesion in any society is directly and greatly proportional to the level of inclusion of the female population with regard to their socio-economic and political participation.
He said that Pakistan is stuck between the traditional and modern social fabric; taking gender equality at times as a threat to the religious ideology though the values of equality are enshrined in the religious tenets including Islam. Nobody should be allowed to exploit the religious narrative for one’s own partial interest.
There is a dire need to foster dispassionate dialogue among people from different walks of life, bring much needed changes in educational curricula and launch awareness campaigns at the mass level on the on social values of equality critical for peace and harmony.
The teaching faculties at all levels must encourage gender equity. The academic discussions and popular media discourse must be inclusive of the roles and responsibilities of citizens; men and women to foster responsible citizenship. Equal inclusion of all genders in democratic processes can ensure inclusive policy making and help developing an alternative narrative crucial for peacebuilding.
The guest on call, Ms. Sana Ejaz, a social activist, said that gender equality must begin at home. Women empowerment can be strengthened by the provision of equal opportunities to women for political participation and social mobility.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.