While Pakistani men and women are achieving their dreams right, left, center by joining every possible profession that there is, the notion that some professions are meant for specific genders only is still prevalent. Like engineering and similar technical courses are thought to be just for the boys. One such example was brought to light on Twitter earlier today where the Government of Sindh’s Youth Development Program appears to be contributing to regressive stereotyping,
The Memon Industrial & Technical Institute (MITI), located in Karachi, is offering Benazir Bhutto Youth Development Program courses
Sadly, the choice of course for men and women are really sexist in nature and seem to be promoting stereotypes that should have no place in 2017.
MITI, “a project of WMO, is a non-profit institute providing quality technical & vocational training to students from all segments of the society, especially the less-fortunate and poor students, in order to enable them to earn a decent livelihood. Since its inception in May 2009, the Memon Industrial & Technical Institute has trained over 50,000 male and female students.”
While their efforts to train underprivileged Pakistani youth is commendable, the fact that only 8 courses – those too, very stereotypically “girly” – are being offered for women as compared to 20 being offered for men is a little appalling.
Hello Senator @sherryrehman
Just wanted to ask about the stereotypes being promoted by this program? Don't you feel this is regressive? pic.twitter.com/4evWAF26Bn— Zoya Polaris (@AnwerNaqvi) July 20, 2017
Even if we assume that Pakistani women might not go for Motor Cycle Mechanics or plumbing etc. (though I have no doubts that they will, if given a chance) why is it that even the courses like Media or computer sciences aren’t available to them?
Some of the women did inquire about the same on the Institute’s Facebook post
And people on Twitter were equally appalled
I mean I can get the "can't change everything at once" argument but many of the male only ones are already completely acceptable for women
— Xill-e-Ilahi (@XilleIlahi) July 20, 2017
Also fail to understand the focus on fine arts/arts and craft when they should be teaching marketable skills in our current economy.
— Xill-e-Ilahi (@XilleIlahi) July 20, 2017
Exactly, what the hell…
WHAT THE HELL https://t.co/uspcHkPPOX
— Bina Shah (@BinaShah) July 20, 2017
While this may not be a big deal for many, the fact that women even in this day and age, are being inculcated with notions that beauty and fashion designing are the only professions for them, is harmful and unhealthy.
What do you guys think about this course distribution? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Via: Memon Industrial and Technical Institute (MITI)/Facebook