Pakistan #7 - Empowerment of Women
By Mark Mueller
Executive Director
My last visit to Pakistan was in 2015. Seven years later I have returned. There have been numerous noteworthy experiences but one that has stood out was my visit to PMS (Pakistan Mission Society). This organization is on the move with many touchpoints. Most intriguing was the morning we spent with PMS on Saturday, March 26. It was here that I learned of the incredible work of this organization in lifting up the role of women in this country. Not only was the conversation rich, deep, energizing, intriguing (and every other superlative I can think of), it was stunning to see the progress that has been made in Pakistan in the area of empowerment of women. Pakistan is a male-dominated society. Women are expected to marry, have children, keep the house clean and serve their husbands. Nothing more is expected of a woman. Likewise, nothing more should be done by a woman according to the culture. That foundation has remained for years. It is now beginning to crack.
It all started as a tiny, thin, elderly-looking woman walked into the room of our meeting on that warm, Saturday morning to begin the conversation. Dr. Sarah Safdar (pictured in between Trustee Berry Long and Trustee Rev. Dr. Ed Hurley), sauntered into the room. She is a strategic advisor for PMS. It is difficult to describe how some people have a command of others when they utter a few words, but Dr. Safdar was mesmerizing. I have seldom heard great people speak in person. For example, I never met Mahatma Gandhi, but if I did, I would imagine he would have had the same affect upon me as Dr. Safdar did.
Dr. Safdar had a persona with a depth that I have rarely come across in my six decades of life. She is the first woman to do most things in Pakistan. She has been Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Higher Education, Minister of Minority Affairs - the first woman in each of those positions. She is a Fulbright Scholar. She works with the EU and the UN these days, but her goal is to empower women within the context of their culture. She wants women to achieve the level they deserve. Incredible!
In addition to her words, what makes Dr. Safdar even more profound is she is a Christian. 96% of Pakistan is Muslim. Dr. Safdar has risen from the 4% minority and has a message that we would do well to embrace. Her major talking points:
1. Women have capacity and talent. They have more to offer than cleaning the home and making sure the family is cared for.
2. Women, regardless of religion, have been marginalized in Pakistan since its formation as a country in 1947.
3. The church remains the best way to improve the role of women in society. The church must be the voice of the male-dominated government to let the voice of women be heard and the desires of women be shared.
In Pakistan, women are not given leadership positions in the church, seldom in the government. Dr. Safdar said this must change, and the church must lead the way.
I see signs of this shift here. Yesterday, after worship, I was invited to a meeting with other religious leaders in Lahore, Pakistan. Muslim clerics joined as did people of other religious faiths. The room was full of conversation and tea. We all shared some of our history and some of our hope for a brighter future and better relations with different religious viewpoints. Of course, only men shared until one amazing comment. This was from a Muslim cleric who asked if the women at the table, all from our TOF team, might speak of their views and their story. The Muslim cleric is pictured with me after the meeting. I had to get his picture.
Pakistan is beginning to change for the better. Despite what we hear on the news, God is at work, and it is a privilege to be part of the change.
The Outreach Foundation is in the process of looking for new partners in Pakistan and in the world in general. I believe we have found one. The Pakistan Mission Society is worthy of our attention and consideration.