The politics of misogyny: General Zia-ul-Haq’s Islamization of Pakistan’s legal system

Abstract

General Zia-ul-Haq’s ambitious Islamization program vis-à-vis gender status in an Islamic Republic remains embedded in the legal system to the detriment of Pakistan’s females. Passage of the Hudood Ordinances of 1979 was a harbinger of things to come as the military junta moved to implement laws perceived to be congruent with Shariah (Islamic) law. This article examines specific discriminatory legal measures, which ensured the reversal of the slow but significant gains made by females since Pakistan’s creation in 1947; and explores how certain draconian measures enacted by Zia’s regime served to mobilize some Pakistani women to political activism.

Keywords:

• Hudood Ordinances
• Qisas and Diyat Ordinances
• Qanoon-e-Shahadat
• Zina bil Jabr
• Pakistan’s legal system
• Women’s Action Forum

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.