Merger With KP Brings No Change in Lives of Tribal Women

Even the merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) brought no change in the lives of tribal women who still suffer at the hands of tribesmen through a system that has no provision in the constitution.

A Jirga organized by the elders of different tribes of Wuhar Tehsil in the Bajaur district imposed new restrictions on women.

The Jirga decided to impose a fine of Rs 10,000 on the tribe and the family of the woman if they either make a phone call on local FM Radio or visit Sadae-e-Amn center to collect monthly stipends.

After the information circulated, the local administration approached the elders of the tribes. They maintained that both restrictions were deliberated as they were contrary to the customs and traditions as their women strictly observed the veil.

The elders however maintained that the participants only put forward suggestions but so far, no final decision was taken.

The recent decisions of the jirga are self-evident that outdated laws, traditions, and customs still exist in the tribal areas even after incorporation into the province.

Not only in Bajaur, the tribal women in KP still face strict checks and controls based on eons-old traditions and customs, an exhibition that their lives have seen no change even in the 21st century.

The tribesmen have dominated the societies and cultures for long and they come up with new restrictions that bar the women in the tribal belt to compete with them.

Men are not prepared to give due rights to the women and barring them to visit stipend collection points and making calls on FM shows exhibit the same.

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It is also a common practice in the Mamund subdivision in Bajaur, where Wuhar Tehsil is situated, young girls are sold and what deteriorates the situation is a voice never raised.

A few local women, who dared to speak up, told News360 that for them, the only source of information is radio.

The women lamented that they have an internet facility neither cellphones and questioned what would become of them if even they were deprived of this source.

Further, Bajaur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Fayyaz said that tribal jirgas held no values after the abolition of Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR).

He told a human cannot deprive others of basic rights. The official warned that there would be strict action against all such elements.

Meanwhile, the KP government has also taken notice of the incident and decided to deal with Jirga participants with iron hands.

SACM KP on Information Kamran Bangash said that oppressing women’s voices and restricting their movement was against law and tradition.

He added decisions that give a sense of the weakness of the government would not be tolerated.