 |
|
|
|
Women facing problems in maintaining purdah in camps PESHAWAR (APP): The women folk of Malakand and FATA who strictly observe purdah (veil) to avoid being seen by strange eyes have failed to maintain this religious and cultural obligation while living at camps set up for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). "We cannot observe purdah while living in the camp during sizzling heat and have to walk in open for having fresh breeze," observed wife of Bukhtiar who recently arrived from Mingora (Swat) at Jalozai camp along with her 10 family members including young daughters and sons. "Walking among strange men for getting food, going to health center, toilet or doing other daily chorus cause much irritation among women, but they have no other choice except to bear this inconvenience," adds Mrs. Mukhtair while talking with APP. She said apart from main worry of IDPs of getting basic necessities including food, water, sanitation and health, a big fear that hounds the minds of displaced parents is protection of the honor of young girls. "Women and girls in our region strictly observe veil and remain indoor and are not adapt to environment of living with outsiders," said Sirja Bibi, resident of Peochar (Swat) and living in Jalozai camp. She said in IDPs camp, women cannot remain inside the tent during day time and have to come out for getting some fresh breeze and other basic necessities of life. Living without a fan in a plastic sheet covered camp during sizzling heat is impossible for a human being and is causing various diseases including diarrhea, dehydration etc. Sanitation is also a difficult task despite the construction of separate latrines to cater to the special needs of women. "We avoid going in daytime to toilets because it is crowded and prefer night time for this purpose, she added. Those who can afford to cook, also have to do the job in open in front of the eyes of the strangers. "Every thing cannot be done while wearing veil and most of the time our head and body parts become uncovered which cause much embarrassment to ourselves and our male relatives," remarked Shanaz Bibi, a Swat dweller. She cursed Taliban and extremist elements, who not only displaced thousands of families of Malakand, but have also exposed the 'purda' observing women to outsiders. "Is this service to Islam to displace such a huge population and put them in so many miseries that they even cannot fulfill their religious obligations," she questioned. A number of displaced families have surrounded the nearby areas of their camps with plastic sheets and patchwork of gunny sacks supported by bamboo poles to provide open place to their females for getting relief from humid environment. It is unjust that we force our women to remain inside the tent 24 hours for observance of purdah and we walk outside in open air, observed Nisar who migrated from Tarakzai area in Mohmand Agency two months earlier. Therefore, we have set up such a covered compound for our female relatives for providing them relief from the scorching heat of plastic tent, he added. In this compound, Nisar continues, they can walk freely and can enjoy chatting with neighboring women. Few IDPs suggested that government should set up a women's community centre at all the camps where they can do cooking, washing clothes and take bath in prevailing hot weather besides enjoying conservation with fellow humans. The Frontior Post: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 |