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Threats don't unnerve Pakistan's woman of steel

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Agencies

Posted online: Saturday , March 08, 2008 at 02:13:58
Updated: Saturday , March 08, 2008 at 02:34:54


Islamabad, March 8: As the world pays its annual tribute to womanhood on International Women's Day on Saturday, Pakistan's most famous victim of abuse, Mukhtar Mai, is quietly trying to end gender violence in a small district of Punjab province, undeterred by the many threats she still receives.

Mukhtar Mai was an anonymous Pakistani villager till she was gang-raped on the orders of a tribal council in February 2002 following allegations that her 12-year-old brother Shakoor was seen in company of a woman from the influential Mastoi tribe.

Many expected the 33-year-old would commit suicide as is all too common after rape in Pakistan, but Mai refused and started a legal battle against her alleged rapists. Soon her struggle for rights became a struggle for other deprived women too.

"As my work is growing the fear is also building up. As my struggle for rights has changed into a struggle for the rights of every deprived woman, so people are threatening me and creating hurdles in my work," Mukhtar Mai said in an interview.

With the money she received as compensation from the courts after a three-year legal battle, she built her village's first girls school an institution she had never seen before and an opportunity which the little girls of her village will never be able to thank her enough for.

"My permanent engagement is my school and it keeps me very busy. I am happy that by the grace of god almighty my school, which was up to the primary level, has now been upgraded to high school level. We have got a new school bus for students to provide them a free pick and drop," she said.

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CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS by Jack Morris on 08 Mar 2008

The correct email address for Mukhtar Mai is: mukhtarmaiwwo@googlemail.com

VISIT TO CALIFORNIA by Jack Morris on 08 Mar 2008

Mukhtar Mai and Naseem Akhtar were my guests in California in December 2007. She took Sacramento by storm with her talks and presence. My community will never be as it was before her arrival. She is truly one of the great people we have among us. We must cherish and support her in her work to help women and girls the world over. Send her an email at this address: mukhtarmai@googlemail.com

MUKHTAR'S HIGH SCHOOL by Jack Morris on 08 Mar 2008

Mukhtar's Mirwala High School has its grand opening on Tuesday, 25 March 2008. There will be many foreign and national officials present plus the assembly of her students. Send her an email with your congratulations and your wishes to her for success in her endeavors on behalf of women and girls everywhere. Send it to this address: mukhtarmaiwwo@googlemail.com

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