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Womansplaining: Navigating Activism, Politics and Modernity in Pakistan
DECRIPTION
As we enter a new century, with its promise of change, women in Pakistan often emerge as its best face forward. At the same time, a persistent and growing trendline of disadvantage and discrimination throws up a harsh counterfactual to the motivating success stories. Knitting these skeins together is the complex, long, often untold tale of women who think, speak, act and give up a part of their comfort zone to push the rights agenda, to take on the architecture of patriarchy and extremism or to call out resurgent misogynies. This is a book about these women, by these women, for the women who struggle to find a voice.
This anthology of essays attempts to do two things. It seeks first to provide testament and context to women’s activism through the lived experience and voices of pioneers who not just headlined the rights struggle in Pakistan, but also gave it intellectual meaning and moral quest. In this endeavour, this book looks to capture a repository of important voices in order to create a slice of memory. The second idea motivating this collection is to probe the connection between the fairly coherent movement of the 1980s to the post-millennial activism that is challenging norms and pushing the boundaries of patriarchy today. Without forcing a grand narrative on the essays, a selection of younger writers uses this space to grapple with persistent barriers reified by the state, while speaking to new problems that tag on to new opportunities. These young women seek to add their voices to the changing face of women’s activism in contemporary Pakistan, while building a new vocabulary to address emerging challenges.
REVIEWS
“Poignant, profound and powerful.”-Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former United States Secretary of State and Senator
“This book is a must-read. It shines a light on the potential of Pakistani women. I am awed and inspired by the sheer range of innovative thought and by the commitment to activism demonstrated by this anthology.”-Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Prize Laureate
“Combining powerful voices from the multiple arenas, histories and strategies of the women’s struggle in Pakistan, Sherry Rehman has curated an original and enabling resource for everyone working for women’s rights and dignity across the Global South.”-Ahdaf Soueif, Author, My City, Our Revolution
“Like a loudspeaker, this book has amplified the voices of all kinds of women, involved in all kinds of struggles. This book is saying loudly and clearly that Pakistani women, be they rural or urban, economically poor or rich, will not stop thinking, speaking and challenging injustice.”-Kamla Bhasin, Feminist, Poet and Author, Exploring Masculinity
“Wide-ranging and illuminating, this collection is a necessary read for anyone who wants to understand Pakistan and/or the tug of war between patriarchal oppression and feminist resistance.”-Kamila Shamsie, Author, Home Fire
“In the 30 years I have known Sherry Rehman, she has always been a pioneer and a true sister in a land which has not always appreciated it—and one of my personal heroes. Here she brings together an astonishing collection of voices, both young and old, to tell the untold history of how Pakistan’s women’s movement has evolved—and the battles it still faces.”-Christina Lamb, Chief Foreign Correspondent, Sunday Times
“A timely and important book that unites intergenerational feminists in a call to action.
As we enter a new century, with its promise of change, women in Pakistan often emerge as its best face forward. At the same time, a persistent and growing trendline of disadvantage and discrimination throws up a harsh counterfactual to the motivating success stories. Knitting these skeins together is the complex, long, often untold tale of women who think, speak, act and give up a part of their comfort zone to push the rights agenda, to take on the architecture of patriarchy and extremism or to call out resurgent misogynies. This is a book about these women, by these women, for the women who struggle to find a voice.
This anthology of essays attempts to do two things. It seeks first to provide testament and context to women’s activism through the lived experience and voices of pioneers who not just headlined the rights struggle in Pakistan, but also gave it intellectual meaning and moral quest. In this endeavour, this book looks to capture a repository of important voices in order to create a slice of memory. The second idea motivating this collection is to probe the connection between the fairly coherent movement of the 1980s to the post-millennial activism that is challenging norms and pushing the boundaries of patriarchy today. Without forcing a grand narrative on the essays, a selection of younger writers uses this space to grapple with persistent barriers reified by the state, while speaking to new problems that tag on to new opportunities. These young women seek to add their voices to the changing face of women’s activism in contemporary Pakistan, while building a new vocabulary to address emerging challenges.
REVIEWS
“Poignant, profound and powerful.”-Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former United States Secretary of State and Senator
“This book is a must-read. It shines a light on the potential of Pakistani women. I am awed and inspired by the sheer range of innovative thought and by the commitment to activism demonstrated by this anthology.”-Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Prize Laureate
“Combining powerful voices from the multiple arenas, histories and strategies of the women’s struggle in Pakistan, Sherry Rehman has curated an original and enabling resource for everyone working for women’s rights and dignity across the Global South.”-Ahdaf Soueif, Author, My City, Our Revolution
“Like a loudspeaker, this book has amplified the voices of all kinds of women, involved in all kinds of struggles. This book is saying loudly and clearly that Pakistani women, be they rural or urban, economically poor or rich, will not stop thinking, speaking and challenging injustice.”-Kamla Bhasin, Feminist, Poet and Author, Exploring Masculinity
“Wide-ranging and illuminating, this collection is a necessary read for anyone who wants to understand Pakistan and/or the tug of war between patriarchal oppression and feminist resistance.”-Kamila Shamsie, Author, Home Fire
“In the 30 years I have known Sherry Rehman, she has always been a pioneer and a true sister in a land which has not always appreciated it—and one of my personal heroes. Here she brings together an astonishing collection of voices, both young and old, to tell the untold history of how Pakistan’s women’s movement has evolved—and the battles it still faces.”-Christina Lamb, Chief Foreign Correspondent, Sunday Times
“A timely and important book that unites intergenerational feminists in a call to action.
- GenresNonfiction
Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 25, 2025
Womansplaining: Navigating Activism, Politics, and Modernity in Pakistan, edited by Sherry Rehman, is a compelling anthology that brings together essays from 22 influential Pakistani women. This collection provides a nuanced exploration of women's activism in Pakistan, bridging the experiences of pioneering feminists from the 1980s with the voices of contemporary activists confronting new challenges.
The anthology is structured to achieve two primary objectives: first, to document and contextualize the history of women's activism in Pakistan through firsthand accounts; and second, to examine the evolution of this activism in the face of modern societal dynamics. Contributors include notable figures such as Hina Jilani, Khawar Mumtaz, Afia Shehrbano Zia, Bina Shah, and Nighat Dad, each offering unique insights into areas like legal reforms, media representation, digital activism, and the arts.
The anthology has received acclaim from various prominent personalities. Hillary Rodham Clinton describes it as "poignant, profound and powerful," while Malala Yousafzai praises it for highlighting "the potential of Pakistani women" and expressing awe at the "sheer range of innovative thought and... commitment to activism demonstrated by this anthology."
For readers seeking to understand the complexities of gender dynamics in Pakistan, "Womansplaining" serves as an invaluable resource. It not only chronicles the historical trajectory of women's rights movements but also sheds light on the ongoing struggles and resilience of Pakistani women in the face of patriarchal challenges. As noted in a review by The News International, the book offers essential insights into the issues that have driven women's activism over the years, emphasizing their unwavering determination despite numerous obstacles.
The anthology is structured to achieve two primary objectives: first, to document and contextualize the history of women's activism in Pakistan through firsthand accounts; and second, to examine the evolution of this activism in the face of modern societal dynamics. Contributors include notable figures such as Hina Jilani, Khawar Mumtaz, Afia Shehrbano Zia, Bina Shah, and Nighat Dad, each offering unique insights into areas like legal reforms, media representation, digital activism, and the arts.
The anthology has received acclaim from various prominent personalities. Hillary Rodham Clinton describes it as "poignant, profound and powerful," while Malala Yousafzai praises it for highlighting "the potential of Pakistani women" and expressing awe at the "sheer range of innovative thought and... commitment to activism demonstrated by this anthology."
For readers seeking to understand the complexities of gender dynamics in Pakistan, "Womansplaining" serves as an invaluable resource. It not only chronicles the historical trajectory of women's rights movements but also sheds light on the ongoing struggles and resilience of Pakistani women in the face of patriarchal challenges. As noted in a review by The News International, the book offers essential insights into the issues that have driven women's activism over the years, emphasizing their unwavering determination despite numerous obstacles.
August 12, 2022
This book really taught me a lot about my history as a woman in pakistan and made me appreciate the efforts of the women who came before me even more. There was so much that left me shocked because we really are never taught this stuff in school. So yeah the essays were really informative and thought provoking.
But i do have some qualms. There were some essays that felt repetitive and i really wish there was some essays about the transgender community in pakistan because i think their fight should be intertwined with the women rights movement.
But i do have some qualms. There were some essays that felt repetitive and i really wish there was some essays about the transgender community in pakistan because i think their fight should be intertwined with the women rights movement.
August 12, 2022
The book is loaded with a power house of Pakistani feminist writes. Women's struggle against a patriarchal society and challenges they face from within are beautifully elucidated. The way these writers have covered the waves of feminism ranging from 1947 till date provides a lucid picture of status of women in Pakistan's society.
January 5, 2024
One of my favourite books regarding women rights freedom in Pakistan. Sherry Rehman has undoubtedly done a great job by giving all the essays of past female freedom fighters in one read. Absolutely stunning!!!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews