Delawar Jan
DIR: Nusrat Begum made
history when she became the first woman who filed nomination papers on general
seat to contest the upcoming elections. However, it does not mark the end of
her struggle to unfetter her and other women from the local traditions. In
fact, it’s the beginning of a long and thorny battle toward women emancipation
in this mountainous region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
She gathered courage to
defy the deep-seated tradition but might falter at the stage of campaign, if
not before. After a chat with her, it’s evident that she would not be able to
run her campaign in the public. For her, it’s almost impossible to hold
gatherings to woo support like her male colleagues will do, let alone big
rallies. And most importantly, she is not going to seek vote from men, not
because she don’t need but because she believes it’s not possible for her to
ask men for votes. And the reason is tradition that disapproves women to mix
with men.
“I will only campaign
among women,” she told The News, as she plans to launch the campaign on April 5.
“I will never seek votes from men. If that had to be done, men of my family
will do it….I mean my husband and husband’s brother,” she said as her voice rose
to emphasise her argument.
Nusrat Begum took a
brave step by filing nomination papers on NA-34 Lower Dir to contest against
all men candidates. She went to the returning officer’s office to submit the
papers as an independent candidate. Her move earned her appreciation across the
country as media gave coverage to the development. “People in the area,
particularly women, appreciate my decision to participate in the election,” she
said. “In fact, women persuaded me that I am capable of serving people, and I
should contest election,” she added.
Nusrat Begum who was
borne in Warsak area of Lower Dir and resides there said women in the area had
already started inviting her for women-only corner meetings. They have assured her
of support, she added, and she is planning to organise gatherings of women soon.
Her inability or
unwillingness to get men’s support might hobble her election campaign, but it
might help motivate women to come to polling stations for casting votes even if
she fails to win. Women in Dir have traditionally been unable to cast votes due
to opposition from the men-dominated society. In fact, political parties signed
agreements in the past to exclude women from election process. This time, the
Election Commission of Pakistan has warned against such illegal ban. Political
parties have reportedly agreed in Lower Dir to facilitate or at least not
oppose women to go to polling stations for casting votes.
Leaders of
Jamaat-e-Islami, the party believed to be opposed to female voting, in Upper
Dir have also extended support to women voting in the May 11 elections.
“I have trust in myself
that I can work for the betterment of people. I want development in my area and
will make efforts for it,” she vowed. “Women are inviting me to announce
support for me,” she said.
According to her, she
has been associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for the last seven years.
However, the party has not awarded ticket to her. “I have filed papers as an
independent candidate but if the party asked me to contest election on PTI ticket,
I will be happy to do so. Otherwise, I will go with my decision to contest
election as an independent candidate,” said Nusrat Begum, who is the elected
vice president of PTI Lower Dir chapter.
She was borne in 1970 and
married at the age of 11 years, if she is to be believed. She holds secondary
school certificate, which she passed as a private candidate. She is vocal when she
talks. Nusrat Begum has five children, three boys and two girls. Her husband,
according to her, is a class four employee who also runs a shop after duty
hours.
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