Taboo or the Culture that Dictates my Destiny!!!
A taboo is a strong social prohibition (or ban) relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and forbidden based on moral judgment and religious beliefs. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable by society.
Fauzia saeed writes in her book ….Taboo
I learned later that senior politicians dominate the ‘after-hours’ Mohalla. Major political decisions are discussed and deals struck in these kothas, long before their public announcements. It’s a place where the powerful relax. Planning meetings at favourite kothas is convenient and provides a most confidential environment.
These highly influential people come to the bazaar after two o’ clock when the police have forced the riff-raff out. Their time begins then, and the police give them full protection. Harassment is out of the question for them. The police can play out their little harassment dramas only with common customers who lack the power of retribution. These important men listen to the music and enjoy themselves, scheduling their meetings after 4 am so their colleagues are sufficiently relaxed to discuss important matters of state. The artists of this area, musicians as well as dancers, have been trained since the Mughal era to keep their customers’ business confidential. The entertainers have a long history with statesmen, musicians and dancers playing in the courts and private quarters while important matters were discussed. The girls were often exposed to state secrets while providing intimate services to the royals. Confidentiality is part of their profession. Politicians can discuss their secrets quite comfortably in the presence of musicians and dancers, fully confident that no word will leave the room.
Dilshad addresses the cultural and social complexity with Fouzia Saeed where things are done more to preserve authority and control and less to attain progress and economic growth by liberating girls to think, act, and feel as equal genders.
Fouzia Saeed, Ph.D. is a social activist, gender expert, trainer/facilitator, television commentator and author. She is the author of the well regarded ethnographic look at prostitution in Pakistan. hiidden Culture of a Red Light District
Saeed is well known in the activist circles of Pakistan’s social movement, having worked for decades on women’s issues especially those linked to violence against women, prostitution, women in the entertainment business, women’s mobility and sexual harassment. Her work on violence against women spans over 20 years and includes founding Bedari, the first women’s crisis center in Pakistan in 1991. For the past several years, she has been working to reduce the level of sexual harassment and debt bondage in the country
On 10 March 2009, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani, named Saeed to a three year term as one of the 15 members of the National Commission on the Status of Women.
The Government of Japan named Dr. Saeed as one of seven Asian Leadership Fellows for 2010. Saeed was instrumental in forming a network called AASHA (An Alliance Against Sexual Harassment) in Pakistan.
After lengthy debate, this bill was also passed by the Senate on 25 February and signed into law by the President on 9 March 2010.On 10 May 2010, Saeed facilitates and monitors the progress of adoption of the sexual harassment.