Women's NGOs in Pakistan / Afshan Jafar.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [175]-184) and index.

The re-birth of a nation: Pakistan's Islamization -- The challenge of fundamentalism -- Better government, better lives: the campaign to increase women's political participation -- A rose by any other name-- : the campaign against sexual harassment -- The unfulfilled promise of NGOs.

How do NGOs overcome the suspicion of them as 2Western3 agents? How do they convince people that contrary to common perceptions, they do not 2lead women astray from Islam3? And how, in the context of poverty, religious fundamentalism, and ethnic conflict, do NGOs convince people that women{u2019}s issues merit any attention at all? This book uncovers the skillful maneuvering that women{u2019}s NGOs have to perform in order to survive in a hostile environment. Drawing on interviews, participant observation, and published materials by and about NGOs, this book analyzes the strategies used by Pakistani women{u2019}s NGOs to advance women{u2019}s rights in a conservative{u2014}and often antagonistic{u2014}environment.In this brilliant and insightful book, Afshan Jafar raises many questions about the roles of women's NGOs in Pakistan. As she so effectively argues, it is crucial not to celebrate or castigate women's NGOs, but instead to show their historical context and their relations to the state, the economy, civil society, and larger cultural politics. By doing just this in her book, Jafar provides an important lens into the way women's NGOs navigate between feminist ideals and on-the-ground realities. A very interesting and timely book. The issue of women{u2019}s NGOs is an important topic and an examination of their challenges and prospects are very important in the post-colonial conditions in which many of these countries find themselves. This is especially important for Pakistan, which is involved in the war on terror and is inextricably involved with the US nation-building efforts in neighboring Afghanistan. Given the rise and challenge of local Islamist militants in Pakistan, the role and significance of these NGOs become extremely important for development studies. The first book on women{u2019}s NGOs in Pakistan, it will be of use for upper-level undergraduate and graduate classes.