Women in quake-hit Pakistan break old barriers

[oblivious]

...The flood of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have come to help with quake relief has given women an unprecedented opportunity to get out of their homes.

"Most women can't even buy an aspirin on their own," said women's rights activist Taqdees Gillani. "They have to consult their brothers, father or husband first, but NGOs have provided them a chance to come out."

..."It is a sudden and vast change," said Raja Nawaz, project coordinator with the International Human Rights Observer organization. Before this disaster, it was very difficult to get females to work in the private sector or in the NGO sector. It's astonishing that women have started working outside their homes."

...Serena Bibi's husband also never let her work before and always wanted her to observe purdah, the strict separation of men and women, and the covering of women in enveloping burqas. After the earthquake, the middle-aged woman started a committee in her village with 28 women, most of whom had never worked. Now they carry out surveys to assess shelter needs in their community for an international relief organization.

"We are not so effective yet, but once we get used to it we will be," said Bibi.
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