Women are not treated well generally all over the world. Much of the Middle East is retrograde. Where I come from, the subcontinent, rich women enjoy plenty of freedom. More and more women in Pakistan are joining the formal workforce. They have no choice. Economic pressure is mostly challenging traditional norms. There’s a huge gulf between the rich and the poor.

I’ve seen that deadly divide widen here in usa over last few decades. Hence Capitol Hill. We can’t see the forest for the trees. More than half of USA doesn’t have affordable healthcare. If at all. Or college education. Generational poverty plagues the underprivileged. Of course capitalism blinds us here! Just an aside.

Back in the 70s I fell in love with a man back home who though wealthy, had weak ‘lineage.’ I had ‘pure blood’ starting from the dawn of Islam. I narrowly escaped an honor killing by my clan! That has changed in the upper classes but patriarchy still reigns supreme. The burden of proof for rape lies with the woman. She needs FOUR witnesses to even begin to approach the police! So much of rape goes unreported. It’s appalling and convoluted.

Keep writing and giving visibility to the plight of women! Bravo.