Feminism demands acceptance from all with patriarchal mindset: Pak author Sana Munir

Feminism is not a cult which seeks supremacy or privilege, it rather demands acceptance from people with a patriarchal mindset - be it men or women, says Pakistani author Sana Munir.

The Lahore-based writer, who has come up with her book "Unfettered Wings: Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Women", believes one does not have to be a feminist to speak up.

"For speaking out against harassment, courage is often marred by lack of support from the immediate circle. In Pakistan, the re-emergence of feminism has taken some decades to happen," she told PTI in an interview.

Munir says that in the late 1940s to 1970s, educated women were prominent among political circles, the literati, the civil society and the education sector and at the spur of the 21st century, writers, politicians, non-governmental organisations and the civil society have all emerged with women in the top echelons.

"Feminism, to be clear, is not a cult of any kind. It does not look for supremacy or privilege. It demands acceptance from not just men, but also from women with a patriarchal mindset as well.

"Feminism is for respect, on a level-playing field for both genders. When a social equilibrium is maintained between the genders, there can be no room for injustice. That is not even utopian and would make us all feminists."
"One needs to prioritise intelligently and keep aiming for the best performance. It has always worked for me."
On what prompted her to pen these stories, she says, "In short, 'ethos'."