By Gloria Canama

Gloria Canama, a Columban Filipina lay missionary working in Pakistan, shares her story of journeying with the women of Pakistan.

A Great Privilege to Journeying with the Women

Recently I had a privilege of accompanying six Punjabi women to the Columban parish of Matli, in the Sindh province of Pakistan. This was part of a week long women’s Mission Exchange Programme organized by the Columban Fathers in Pakistan. Not so long ago, it would have been impossible to organize such a programme for women. You would hear the following remarks: How could a woman spend a week away from home? Who would do the washing and ironing of clothes? Who would be there to serve the men? This year six women form the Columban parish of Shadbagh and Skeikhupura went to Matli and six Parkari Kolhi women from Matli went to the Punjab. On the journey the women were excited and some were apprehensive. For some it was their first time being away from home. It was a long and tiring 18 hours journey by train. As the train moved on and on, we got to know each other through telling a little of our life stories and sharing jokes. “Where is Matli?” “What time do we arrive there?” asked those who got restless. It was Teresa’s first train trip, it was a big relief when we eventually arrived safely in Matli.

A Time to Think and Reflect

During their week in Matli, they were exposed to and entered into the lives of the Parkari Kolhi women. They visited and stayed in their villages. They listened to the stories of the women’s lives. They shared meals, prayed and worshipped together, each day we shared our insights, what we learned and what touch us about the Parkari Kolhi tribal people. We were touched by their hospitality and friendliness. One of the great strengths of the programme was its informality. Through the informal encounters friendships and relationships were deepened. The aim of the programme was to build bridges and deepen relationships between the Tribal and Punjabi dimensions of the Pakistani Church so that we can be tolerant of differences and accepted the reality that there are different cultured and traditions within the Pakistani Church. The experience of being away from home and free from cooking and looking after children gave them space to think and reflect on their own lives. The symbol of the camel is an apt way to describe the experience. A camel travels slowly but it is determined to reach its destination. The women’s journey, like the camel’s, is slow but they are determined to reach their destination of freedom and dignity. The exchange programme may look insignificant but for the women it was a week of deeper awareness, hope, joy and life when new possibilities for a better future opened up for them.

The Dream Seemed Impossible

Let me take you back to the women’s daily life in the villages. It was in the villages that I came face to face with growing poverty, the very poor health of the women and children and the very high illiteracy rate. When women joined meetings and seminars, they always sat at the back, silent and a number of them with bowed heads. They would even find it difficult to say their own name for everyone to hear. They were not used to thinking for themselves but only told what to do. Their feelings, opinions and ideas were not sought after. Decisions were made for them. They had long accepted their fate and role as defined my men. For years they were “bent” women. They were unable to stand up straight and take their full and rightful place in the life of the community but yet saw no wrong in the unjust oppressive structures. Moreover, they didn’t feel and see the need for change. You would often hear them say: “This is our culture and that’s, our grandparents lived this way and so why change? Why the need to go out and get involved, our men would think we are against then and it would mean more trouble.” Their sense of fatalism was often very obvious – “I’ve no more hope left. I am just waiting for my death.”

On a number of occasions, I have come to experience my own poverty and helplessness. I have often asked how could I be instrumental in empowering the women with my own with own powerlessness? As I sat with the grieving and wailing women on the death of a six month old child, I painfully asked myself if my presence among them has any significance at all?

Women Growing in Self-Confidence and Asserting Themselves

Pakistani men and women are very prayerful. Each home has a bible which given a very respectful place. Margaret, who works in the parish as a coordinator of women’s issues, told me that new idea’s, new visions should have a biblical perspective. Otherwise any programme will not be accepted. It would be regarded as Western and not good for them. In the light of this both of us want o the different village for bible sharing. Initially it was like advertising and selling the women’s programme and it wasn’t very saleable. We has to be diplomatic with the men, including the catechist – who are men – who were somewhat suspicious. They would often remark: “What are you women up to? Are you igniting the women to fight against us?” these remarks were very threatening for the women.

Gradually the women in the midst of their busy-ness began to read and reflect on the bible from a woman’s perspective. They have found strength and hope especially in Jesus healing the bent woman, in talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, in Jesus who allowed Mary to sit at his feet and listen to his words, in the Risen Jesus who first appeared to Mary of Magdala and sent her to proclaim the good news. Slowly they have regained self –confidence. How powerful it is to hear the women day after organizing a successful programmed. “We can do it and we have done it well.” They have broken their silence, have begun to ask questions and more and more are beginning to assert their identity. How good it is to hear say: “If we women are also created in God’s image, why are we not treated equally? Are human rights not womens rights? We are not dolls to be played with but human beings to be love and respected.”

Women as Bible Readers, an empowering experience

In the country like Pakistan where there is very high rate of illiteracy especially among women, its is inspiring to see the women, it is inspiring to see the women taking on the role of Bible leaders. They lead the community prayers and share their reflections on the come out from their homes and get involved, the more they become confident and empowered. Slowly they have begun to overcome their fears. Since emerging from their home environment views. Have been broadened and they have begun to tell their stories of oppression, speak confidently in public and have to come to believe in their own strength and power. March 8, International Women’s Day, women in their struggles, aspirations and hopes for a more just human society: for their own rights, empowerment and development and for a more participatory church and society. This is a breakthrough in a male dominated society.

No Turning Back

The journey towards total transformation is still very long. Steep and winding. Because of the dominant culture, a person like Margaret is still not free to go the villages alone. There are still people who way their tongues against the women who dare to go out of their homes to facilitate programmes for women in the parish and the villages. Men at home are still waiting and asking to be served. There is still endless work to be done. But there is no turning back now in the awakening of women. The questions “how long is the journey? How far are we from our destination? do not matter. The important things that the struggle is on. The women are on the road. For most of us, if not all, this is our first journey on this less traveled road. It can dare to celebrate with and for women because I have personally journeyed with the women of substance, women who dare to believe and hope in themselves, women who have a deep faith and trust in the God of life, in the 
God of love and justice. Journeying with women, not only on the bus or train but most of all in the journey of daily life. In a deeper and meaningful way I have come to rejoice and be grateful for being a woman. My heart rejoices in God for she has done great wonders in and through women.