ID :
18222
Sat, 09/06/2008 - 09:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/18222
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Chaaders' must for girls in Pak university
Islamabad, Sept 5 (PTI) A leading university in Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province has made it mandatory for its girl students to wear 'chaaders' or gowns on campus in the wake of threats issued by the Taliban.
Officials of the University of Peshawar have said the directive is in line with the Pashtun culture but the students have criticised it, saying it is discriminatory.
Girl students in all departments and colleges affiliated to the university have been warned that they will face fines if they do not wear 'chaaders' or gowns on campus.
A letter issued by authorities of the Jinnah College for Women to parents of girl students said: "The college administration has decided to make it compulsory for all the students to wear a chaader or gown and properly cover themselves while entering or leaving the college. The students breaking this rule will be heavily fined."
The letter further said it was hoped that the parents
would "help and support" the authorities and "make sure" the
girls complied with the dress code.
Shireenzada, Registrar of University of Peshawar,
acknowledged that traditional culture and security concerns
were behind the move.
"Normally the girls also wear dupattas in their homes.
Then why not in the departments where co-education exists?
Therefore the university took a decision and we should not
forget our Pakhtun culture," he told Dawn News channel.
The local culture was the "first priority and the second
priority might be security", he said.
While it is common for women in the conservative
northwestern region to be veiled, girl students of the
58-year-old university are critical of the move to enforce a
dress code for them.
"The university should ensure the protection of female
students. The implementation of a dress code is not the
solution to the problem," said a student who identified
herself only as Henna.
Some of the girl students said the university was giving
into the demands of extremists. Many believe the university
acted after receiving threatening letters from the Taliban.
Others pointed out that the rule is discriminatory, saying
there were no such directives for boys.
The website of the Jinnah College for Women, which was
set up in 1964, states that the institution "aims at producing
enlightened and progressive young women".
In recent months, the Pakistani Taliban have bombed
dozens of girls' schools in the restive Swat valley of NWFP.
The Taliban have warned girls to wear burqas while going to
school and opposed co-education. PTI RHL
RRD
NNNN
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Officials of the University of Peshawar have said the directive is in line with the Pashtun culture but the students have criticised it, saying it is discriminatory.
Girl students in all departments and colleges affiliated to the university have been warned that they will face fines if they do not wear 'chaaders' or gowns on campus.
A letter issued by authorities of the Jinnah College for Women to parents of girl students said: "The college administration has decided to make it compulsory for all the students to wear a chaader or gown and properly cover themselves while entering or leaving the college. The students breaking this rule will be heavily fined."
The letter further said it was hoped that the parents
would "help and support" the authorities and "make sure" the
girls complied with the dress code.
Shireenzada, Registrar of University of Peshawar,
acknowledged that traditional culture and security concerns
were behind the move.
"Normally the girls also wear dupattas in their homes.
Then why not in the departments where co-education exists?
Therefore the university took a decision and we should not
forget our Pakhtun culture," he told Dawn News channel.
The local culture was the "first priority and the second
priority might be security", he said.
While it is common for women in the conservative
northwestern region to be veiled, girl students of the
58-year-old university are critical of the move to enforce a
dress code for them.
"The university should ensure the protection of female
students. The implementation of a dress code is not the
solution to the problem," said a student who identified
herself only as Henna.
Some of the girl students said the university was giving
into the demands of extremists. Many believe the university
acted after receiving threatening letters from the Taliban.
Others pointed out that the rule is discriminatory, saying
there were no such directives for boys.
The website of the Jinnah College for Women, which was
set up in 1964, states that the institution "aims at producing
enlightened and progressive young women".
In recent months, the Pakistani Taliban have bombed
dozens of girls' schools in the restive Swat valley of NWFP.
The Taliban have warned girls to wear burqas while going to
school and opposed co-education. PTI RHL
RRD
NNNN
Download this as a file
