Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD3399
2007-08-06 03:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR:
how-toVZCZCXRO1773 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #3399 2180348 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 060348Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0898 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 7390 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1495 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 6928 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 3044 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 1464 RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 2769 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003399
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KWMN PK
SUBJECT: WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR:
NEED TO HELP WOMEN WITHOUT BECOMING TOO LIBERAL
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003399
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KWMN PK
SUBJECT: WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR:
NEED TO HELP WOMEN WITHOUT BECOMING TOO LIBERAL
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: In a cordial, hour-long meeting on July 18,
Women's Development Minister Sumaira Malik talked to the
Ambassador about the after-effects of the Red Mosque
operation, internal politics, new draft women's legislation,
and her ideas for U.S. assistance programs to assist
Pakistan's women. End Summary.
-------------- --------------
After the Red Mosque: Parents Will Think Twice
Before Sending Their Children to Religious Schools
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Malik staunchly defended the government operation
against the militants at the Red Mosque earlier this month.
Most parents had told her they sent their children to
madrassas (religious schools) to learn how to read the Koran,
not to be exposed to guns and oppose the government. The
government is benefitting from this wake-up call and should
use it as an opportunity to encourage parents to pull their
children out of militant madrassas, she said.
--------------
Women's Legislation: "Too Much Liberalism
Will Ruin The President's Agenda"
--------------
3. (C) Malik said that one of her primary goals is to lessen
the influence of maulvis (religious leaders) and bring
education to Pakistan's population. Liberal political
parties, like the Pakistan People's Party, are not in touch
with "ground realities." Left on their own, their liberal
political agenda is too extreme for the average Pakistani
voter, who tend to conflate modernization with westernization
and reject both. The government's approach with the Women's
Protection Bill was successful because it took a middle path,
she said.
4. (C) Next on the legislative agenda is inheritance law. If
passed, the new law would make inheritance transfers to women
automatic after the death of their husbands, which would
encourage women to claim what they are entitled to, Malik
said.
--------------
Help Us With Women's Centers, Police Stations
To Mitigate Violence Against Women
--------------
5. (C) Malik said that the rate of domestic violence in
Pakistan is high, but when women are able to contribute
financially to the household, these dynamics change. One of
the things her ministry is trying to develop in each district
are women's centers that provide basic support and skills
training. Skills training and possibly counseling could go a
long way toward addressing violence against women.
Legislation criminalizing domestic violence is necessary, but
the government would "need to be careful" in how they crafted
it. Another priority for helping women who are victims of
violence is the developmemt of women's police centers. (Note:
USAID has been working with the Ministry for the last two
years and is planning to provide technical support to the
Ministry of Interior's Gender Crimes Cell. End Note.)
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KWMN PK
SUBJECT: WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR:
NEED TO HELP WOMEN WITHOUT BECOMING TOO LIBERAL
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: In a cordial, hour-long meeting on July 18,
Women's Development Minister Sumaira Malik talked to the
Ambassador about the after-effects of the Red Mosque
operation, internal politics, new draft women's legislation,
and her ideas for U.S. assistance programs to assist
Pakistan's women. End Summary.
-------------- --------------
After the Red Mosque: Parents Will Think Twice
Before Sending Their Children to Religious Schools
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Malik staunchly defended the government operation
against the militants at the Red Mosque earlier this month.
Most parents had told her they sent their children to
madrassas (religious schools) to learn how to read the Koran,
not to be exposed to guns and oppose the government. The
government is benefitting from this wake-up call and should
use it as an opportunity to encourage parents to pull their
children out of militant madrassas, she said.
--------------
Women's Legislation: "Too Much Liberalism
Will Ruin The President's Agenda"
--------------
3. (C) Malik said that one of her primary goals is to lessen
the influence of maulvis (religious leaders) and bring
education to Pakistan's population. Liberal political
parties, like the Pakistan People's Party, are not in touch
with "ground realities." Left on their own, their liberal
political agenda is too extreme for the average Pakistani
voter, who tend to conflate modernization with westernization
and reject both. The government's approach with the Women's
Protection Bill was successful because it took a middle path,
she said.
4. (C) Next on the legislative agenda is inheritance law. If
passed, the new law would make inheritance transfers to women
automatic after the death of their husbands, which would
encourage women to claim what they are entitled to, Malik
said.
--------------
Help Us With Women's Centers, Police Stations
To Mitigate Violence Against Women
--------------
5. (C) Malik said that the rate of domestic violence in
Pakistan is high, but when women are able to contribute
financially to the household, these dynamics change. One of
the things her ministry is trying to develop in each district
are women's centers that provide basic support and skills
training. Skills training and possibly counseling could go a
long way toward addressing violence against women.
Legislation criminalizing domestic violence is necessary, but
the government would "need to be careful" in how they crafted
it. Another priority for helping women who are victims of
violence is the developmemt of women's police centers. (Note:
USAID has been working with the Ministry for the last two
years and is planning to provide technical support to the
Ministry of Interior's Gender Crimes Cell. End Note.)
PATTERSON