Pakistan is celebrating its 74th birthday this time. Even now we are unaware of the struggles of prominent female figures in Pakistan. There is a near absence of information in local textbooks on the history of the women’s movement in Pakistan and the legacy behind it. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah himself repeated the importance of a nation whose women are side by side with men, He said “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners.
Muslim women have stood strong with their men in the struggles of Pakistan in the making. The Pakistan movement was a great movement for Pakistani women as it was the first time they were participating freely and strongly in something as great a movement, Pakistan movement. They performed strongly in the Pakistan movement together. Going back to the 19th century, the Khilafat movement was the first instance where women all from across the sub-continent participated in the political arena. Bi Amma, mother of Maulana Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali Johar raised her voice against British Imperialism. They also addressed large meetings in various parts of India.
Women came out of their houses to be a part of the struggle to achieve a separate homeland. They demonstrated their immense courage, enthusiasm, and intellect.
The most noteworthy name is Fatimah Jinnah. She is also known as the “Madre Millat”. She was the first lady to have formed the women’s framework for the idea of Pakistan. She was aiding Quaid-e-Azam greatly in the process.
The first women who represented themselves in the legislative assembly were Begum Jahanaara, Shah Nawaz, Begum Shaista Ikramullah. These women worked towards the cause of women empowerment and also towards the making of Pakistan.
Having witnessed the world’s oldest culture, religious beliefs, heritage, and history, Pakistan has a historical sense and geography in the world.
During this time the emphasis was on male education but gradually women could not stay aloof. Bi Amma was the first woman to shine in the history of the Pakistan movement. It was a tough challenge at a place where women’s participation in political issues was forbidden to the extent that it was taboo. Women became financially independent and played a significant part in the labor force. Mohtarma Fatimah Jinnah, Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan, Begum Salma Tassaduq Hussain, Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz, Lady Abdullah Haroon, Shahista Ikramullah are few names that appear on the top but during the last four years of struggle in Pakistan. Lots of women left their comfort zones. The young female students were able to generate funds for which they traveled across the country. They also launched awareness campaigns to highlight Pakistan and its significance for Muslim women. The Muslim league women committees used to hold meetings in Muhallahs of different localities where they described the idea of Pakistan through their meaningful speeches and also answered the questions raised by the participants. Then millions of families migrated to Pakistan. Women suffered all sorts of brutalities and cruelties at the hands of Hindus and Sikhs. But we Pakistani women never back down.