The GISI grant helped Dr. Jamal in expanding on his PhD research with conducting interviews with Pashtun men living in the KPK region of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. The study also explored role and effectiveness of NGOs working in the gender justice and girls education area.
Summary of project:
The study examined how Pashtun men perceive women’s role and girls’ education. Qualitative interviews from Pashtun men demonstrated that the sociocultural status of women, and consequently their access to education, remains deeply tied to Pashtunwali (tribal code) and rigid religious interpretations. Though at times contradictory, the ideas and stereotypes arising from religion, culture, and politics were found to meaningfully shape men’s attitudes about women’s participation in community and education. However, the study found that, compared to rural and tribal areas, these traditions and restrictions are not as rigidly practiced in the urban and plains areas. Understanding men’s perception would be helpful in other development initiatives in patriarchal societies, in areas such as human rights, domestic violence, and family planning programs. I believe that men possess many interests and motivations— concern for children, moral and religious values, socioeconomic realities, and ethical and political commitments—that outstrip the maintenance of their privileged social position (Flood, 2001). These broader interests can unite men in the struggle for gender justice. While there will always be risks involved in taking on such sensitive projects regarding women’s development in patriarchal societies engaged in wars and internal conflicts, it is to be hoped that these risks and challenges will never generate compromise in the efforts of both men and women to achieve gender justice. Understanding men’s views is a starting point. The next step is to engage men in the collective struggle for gender justice.