Title of book: In the Name of Honour (A Memoir)
Author: Mukhtar Mai
Publisher: Virago Press, 2007
Reviewer: Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva
Mukhtar Mai has the fortitude of a lioness. This memoir is a struggle of a real woman with real problems that came to the surface after the worst humiliation any woman from her clan in Pakistan could receive. Instead of giving up in a suicidal act, she rose up from the ruins. Mukhtar is a Pakistani woman from a lower caste in Southern Punjabi called Gujar. Her brother, Shakur, is wrongfully accused of rape of one girl belonging to a richer caste, Mastoi. In form of justice, as is usually done, the Mastoi rape a woman, usually a sister to the accused in order to clear his name. The unfortunate woman chosen is Mukhtar Mai, sister to the accused. Her punishment: Brutal rape by 4 members of the mastoid clan in front of the community. Most women after this ordeal, commit suicide, because the shame is too much to bear. For Mukhtar, it was different. In her search for justice, her biggest handicap is her illiteracy because girls and women are not permitted to formal education. However, her resilience and steed work in her favour. As a result, Mukhtar has become the voice of the voiceless in Pakistan and the region beyond. Through the quest for justice, she has gained international support and has managed to establish a small school in Southern Punjab for young girls.
Jack Morris said
Make that ‘Mastoi’ and not ‘Mastoid’.
Jack Morris said
Also, she supports schools for boys and girls, albeit, they are separate as is the custom in Meerwala. She also manages a family abuse center, runs a small cattle farm, build a small police station, and operates a health center for the community. I have been to Meerwala and she has been my guest in California.
eassi said
Thanks Jack, this is great to know.
Do you have her current contact? Will she mind if you shared it with us?
I am impressed by her continued gerat work.