Mukhtar Mai’s “In the Name of Honour” is a powerful true story of a woman who has faced all forms of abuse imaginable, and rose to become a symbol for hope.
In many tribal communities, and in this rural village of Pakistan, the worst thing one could do to another person is rid them of their honour, which is exactly what the Mastoi clan did to Mukhtar Mai.
Abused, and then shamed in front of almost half of her village, suicide was her only option. Thankfully instead, she stood firm against the clan, and the social norms of her community by fighting for her lawful rights –all the while raising donations to build a school.
Mukhtar Mai joins us in her journey to build a school, and to fight for women’s rights whilst living across the street from the very people who have rid her of her ‘honour’.
Her tone of voice is a reflection of her vulnerability –because after the assault she does not instinctively go to court, but reacts instead by not eating and speaking. She finds herself confused and even submissive but also stubborn in demanding that justice be served. Indeed, she states that in a world dominated by men, “stubbornness” is “the only weapon” women have. Despite standing on edge of despair, she became the catalyst for a feminist revolution in Pakistan.
Mukhtar Mai does not only speak for herself. She also speaks for all victims of violence.
We feel that by reading articles or tweets or watching the news, we are aware of the world. Yet, we lose the humanness of these disasters. To read is the closest form of experiencing another person’s sorrow, and to me this book, with every page, expanded my vision and understanding of the plight of many women in this world.
While expanding our empathy, we can bring about change –true change– that is not bound by numbers, but by the power of words. Mukhtar Mai does this well.
