Should women be covering herself?

Since we are observing in developing countries or even most developed countries who are tagged as “Islamic” countries there is still a tug of war going on between either move towards completely modern society or stay the way they are as “Islamic” societies. 

Most of the Islamic states are moving towards adopting the more and more modernized approaches and becoming more liberals towards the idea of bringing flexibility. The most fundamental teachings of Islam are on social matters which include “Purdah or Hijab” as well. The thing is Islam is not a religion of strict laws or conditions etc rather it gives you set of guidelines on how to lead life in a balanced manner. 

Now, “Hijab” is not something compulsory, it comes from the culture and values of society, but it is not a safeguard or measure to safe women. Rapes have nothing to do with Hijab or Purdah, rapes can never be stopped by asking women to wear Hijab rather than focusing more on the implementation of laws.

Where we lack in our Pakistani society is the actual “Implementation of law”, unless there are punishments to the rapist, rapes can never be stopped. It has nothing to do with how women are dressing or if they are moving with friends at night etc.

How do you see well-planned society like “Singapore, or even in Europe” ladies move around freely with no fear of insecurity or any risk? Because there are laws strictly implemented and police reforms are well developed. 

Don’t tell a woman that you were dressed modestly that’s why you got rapped, it’s “Victim blaming”, she got raped only and only because of the rapist. The rapist is not looking at women with this perspective that “Yeah she is covering herself with Hijab or Purdah so I should not rape her” for him she is a woman even with purdah or in a modest dress that’s it.

Asking women to wear purdah is giving a rapist a ticket to go do whatever you want since our women are modestly dressed, purdah is for man as well in Islam which asks him as well to “lower your gaze” and woman “To cover yourself so that you don’t get bothered or upset by men around you”.

The idea of Purdah is not to stop rape, rather implement cultural values and norms, but RAPE can only be stopped by actual and harsh punishment to “RAPIST”. Since, rape is a bad thing, the only one who is responsible for this is the “Rapist”, not the victim, not the modest dress, not the co-education system or openness of society. 

The family system should raise their boys into gentlemen, into caretakers, into “Fine” guys for them all women of society are respectable and above all concept of “consent” should be well understood by males of society.