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Opinion: Facilities in Pakistan much safer than India for sportswomen
Kiran Khan
India may be way ahead of Pakistan in terms of sports infrastructure, but in Pakistan sports facilities don't pose a danger of sexual harassment. (Getty Images)
#india #pakistan #sai #sports authority of india
It shook me across the border. I am sure the ground in India was badly shaken as well, for I never thought the situation in a country that has far better talent and and far better facilities could be this bad for budding athletes.
As disturbing as this incident was, that four girls took this step to end there life, the thing that bothers me is that many young girls have no choice but to either hide or keep secret any harassments they are subjected to. They do this in fear of what their families and society will think of them if discovered. They realise that whatever they do, whatever action they take, reflects back on the honour of their families. They would much rather suffer in silence than allow themselves the brunt for getting their voices heard.
Furthermore, many girls, who wish to pursue sports, realise that they live in a society where women are, for the most part, quick to be blamed for the wrongdoings of their male counterparts; a society where women are more than often seen as someone who should not be allowed to live on her terms. Men do everything in their power to stay as invisible as possible, especially when it comes to the sensitive issue of sexual harassment.
Introducing you to the situation in Pakistan, women's participation in sports here has a long history; a history evident by discrimination but also one tugged with major accomplishments by female athletes. Pakistani women in sports marked excellence in heaps.
We have numerous successful stories when it comes to women in sports. Athletes likes Naseem Hamid (athletics), Lianna Swan (swimming), Palwasha Bashir (badminton), Farwa Babar (table tennis) and Ushna Suhail (tennis) are some of the best female athletes in Pakistan.
It has never been easy and simple for Pakistani women who play sports in a Muslim and a male-dominating country but yet they are sweating it out and making a lot of effort.
In Pakistan, sexual harassment is probably not a deterrent for women to take up sports. It's a Muslim country. While a girl may face sexual harassment, she has a family hurdle to cross too. It's the parents who fear and are scared to send girls out alone. And I don't blame the fear of those parents. I blame our men; the way they look at you is no less harassment.
But there have been incidents even here. If you belong to a stronger family background, they [men] wouldn't even dare to raise their eyes. But I have seen girls who themselves get frank with the coaches and things happen. I have witnessed it and I seriously have no clue who to blame.
But definitely in terms of infrastructure, India is way ahead of Pakistan.
"I think Pakistan is a country where there are certain activities/professions that women may feel conscious to peruse because of our thinking and the way our society thinks," tennis player Ushna Suhail told me in a conversation. "Being a Pakistani sportswoman, I have limitations regarding my sport facilities. In such a situation, it is important that Pakistani girls are supported and looked after by trusted elders, preferably parents, to protect them from any mental or sexual torture that may come their way."
The Pakistan Association of Women Sport, affiliated with the national sports organisation, is active in promoting women's participation in sports within Pakistan. The association also promotes the importance of sports as a mean for bridging cross-cultural difference which enhances cooperation, peace and development in the country and internationally.
Besides several engendering social problems, training and coaching is major concern for those women who want to excel in the field of sports. Pakistan lacks in providing female coaches to female athletes; however, now former players have stepped in to help these dedicated athletes.
But nothing may work for a girl, be it India or Pakistan, if she has to counter sexual harassment during training. The focus will go for a toss. Forget about developing 'champion athletes', we might end up taking care of 'depressed patients' if it doesn't stop.
Opinion: Facilities in Pakistan much safer than India for sportswomen - IBNLive
Kiran KhanIndia may be way ahead of Pakistan in terms of sports infrastructure, but in Pakistan sports facilities don't pose a danger of sexual harassment. (Getty Images)
#india #pakistan #sai #sports authority of india
It shook me across the border. I am sure the ground in India was badly shaken as well, for I never thought the situation in a country that has far better talent and and far better facilities could be this bad for budding athletes.
As disturbing as this incident was, that four girls took this step to end there life, the thing that bothers me is that many young girls have no choice but to either hide or keep secret any harassments they are subjected to. They do this in fear of what their families and society will think of them if discovered. They realise that whatever they do, whatever action they take, reflects back on the honour of their families. They would much rather suffer in silence than allow themselves the brunt for getting their voices heard.
Furthermore, many girls, who wish to pursue sports, realise that they live in a society where women are, for the most part, quick to be blamed for the wrongdoings of their male counterparts; a society where women are more than often seen as someone who should not be allowed to live on her terms. Men do everything in their power to stay as invisible as possible, especially when it comes to the sensitive issue of sexual harassment.
Introducing you to the situation in Pakistan, women's participation in sports here has a long history; a history evident by discrimination but also one tugged with major accomplishments by female athletes. Pakistani women in sports marked excellence in heaps.
We have numerous successful stories when it comes to women in sports. Athletes likes Naseem Hamid (athletics), Lianna Swan (swimming), Palwasha Bashir (badminton), Farwa Babar (table tennis) and Ushna Suhail (tennis) are some of the best female athletes in Pakistan.
It has never been easy and simple for Pakistani women who play sports in a Muslim and a male-dominating country but yet they are sweating it out and making a lot of effort.
In Pakistan, sexual harassment is probably not a deterrent for women to take up sports. It's a Muslim country. While a girl may face sexual harassment, she has a family hurdle to cross too. It's the parents who fear and are scared to send girls out alone. And I don't blame the fear of those parents. I blame our men; the way they look at you is no less harassment.
But there have been incidents even here. If you belong to a stronger family background, they [men] wouldn't even dare to raise their eyes. But I have seen girls who themselves get frank with the coaches and things happen. I have witnessed it and I seriously have no clue who to blame.
But definitely in terms of infrastructure, India is way ahead of Pakistan.
"I think Pakistan is a country where there are certain activities/professions that women may feel conscious to peruse because of our thinking and the way our society thinks," tennis player Ushna Suhail told me in a conversation. "Being a Pakistani sportswoman, I have limitations regarding my sport facilities. In such a situation, it is important that Pakistani girls are supported and looked after by trusted elders, preferably parents, to protect them from any mental or sexual torture that may come their way."
The Pakistan Association of Women Sport, affiliated with the national sports organisation, is active in promoting women's participation in sports within Pakistan. The association also promotes the importance of sports as a mean for bridging cross-cultural difference which enhances cooperation, peace and development in the country and internationally.
Besides several engendering social problems, training and coaching is major concern for those women who want to excel in the field of sports. Pakistan lacks in providing female coaches to female athletes; however, now former players have stepped in to help these dedicated athletes.
But nothing may work for a girl, be it India or Pakistan, if she has to counter sexual harassment during training. The focus will go for a toss. Forget about developing 'champion athletes', we might end up taking care of 'depressed patients' if it doesn't stop.
Opinion: Facilities in Pakistan much safer than India for sportswomen - IBNLive
