Education can resolve most problems of women: Pushtana Arabzai
By Said Rasool Betani
PESHAWAR, 18 October: Very few women could be seen as journalists in Pakhtun areas due to poor ratio of women education, lack of support from the family and dangers associated with this profession in the region. Despite all these difficulties, Afghan woman Pushtana Arabzai has joined this field and has been associated with Shamshad TV for the last seven years as producer. She has been using this medium to highlight problems of the people, especially the women, very effectively.
Pushtana is currently on a visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with other Afghan media persons under the Pak-Afghan Media Exchange Programme. The Afghan media delegation is taking keen interest in the style of working of Pakistani media channels and journalists. TNN correspondent has conducted a detailed discussion with Pushtana about her journey to KP and her learning process.
TNN: What did you learn during your visit to KP?
Pushtana: I have spent 12 years of my life in Peshawar. I got my primary education from Peshawar and later completed my studies in Kabul. We were not familiar until now, but now we know almost everything due to advancement in communication methods and technology. Previously, we had to believe what we hear because we had no means or tools to verify various statements about developments in the Pakhtun region but now the situation has changed. Now we have sources in Pakistan and the Pakistani journalists have the same facility in Afghanistan to verify things thanks to the journalists exchange programme. This is our fourth visit under the programme and I am not feeling at all that I am out of my country. It is my second home as we have common language, religion and social and cultural values.
TNN: What is your view about contents on the social media about the Pak-Afghan relations?
Pushtana: Many people in Pakistan and Afghanistan depend on social media due to lack of access to information from conventional media channels. It has been observed that some news or events displayed on the social media cause bad feelings among people at both sides of the Pak-Afghan border but that news are 90 percent false and unverified. We should not react to any such news unless its verification from credible sources. Indulging into blame game just after seeing non-credible news items on the social media should be avoided.
TNN: How law and order issues impact womenfolk in Pakhtun region?
Pushtana: Women suffer the most whenever law and order issues surface in the Pakhtun region. People on both sides of the border want peace which is the basic prerequisite for development and prosperity. The leadership of Pakistan and Afghanistan should take strong measures for enduring peace in the region.
TNN: Did you get support from your family for pursuing your mission?
Pushtana: Although my father is illiterate but he supported me a lot for my education and allowed me to work for betterment of womenfolk with the force of media. Education can resolve many problems of women in our region. The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has asked all the Muslim men and women to get education. However, it is very unfortunate that the status of women education is very disappointing in Pakhtun region. Women teachers are not available in girls’ schools in far flung areas. Pregnant women had been brought from far flung areas to city areas for deliveries due to which the mother and child’s health remains under constant threat. If we educate the girls then they can eventually become doctors and serve the people of their own areas. It is also very unfortunate that if a woman does physical labour for men in the fields then it’s okay but if she goes to some educational institution then it becomes a matter of honour for some men.
— Translation by Aamir Khan
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