The sisterhood that never was | Pakistan Today

When women don’t back women in law

Navigating the predominantly male environment of the legal profession, I braced myself for inevitable challenges. Upon commencing my practice as a lawyer in Multan, I fully expected the typical skepticism confronting women in traditional professional settings. I prepared for judging glances, subtle remarks questioning my competence, and the continuous pressure to justify my abilities to male counterparts. What truly caught me off guard, however, was that some of the most discouraging opposition would originate from senior female colleagues – women who had themselves endured significant struggles to establish their place in this very field.

A particular incident from my early days remains vivid: the moment I delivered my initial comprehensive arguments before a High Court bench. The presiding judge offered his full attention, engaging with my points through incisive questions, treating me with the same respect accorded to any professional lawyer. Afterwards, outside the courtroom, my senior colleague extended genuine congratulations, commending my thorough preparation and poise.

As my senior finished speaking, another senior female lawyer approached him swiftly, suggesting he instruct me to tie my hair and to avoid bringing a handbag into court. These remarks bore no relevance to legal practice, professional conduct, or ethical standards. Yet, they were delivered with an air of authority designed to undermine rather than offer constructive guidance. My senior, demonstrating admirable character, subtly dismissed her comments. In that instant, I quietly respected his embodiment of true collegiality and his refusal to engage in tactics that frequently marginalize women in this profession.

The encounter was deeply disheartening. As an individual long dedicated to the cause of gender equality, it was profoundly unsettling to discover that my initial taste of professional animosity would stem from another woman. It served as a stark, painful reminder that women, too, can inadvertently perpetuate the patriarchal systems they have themselves suffered under.

With time, I recognized this was far from an isolated event. In urban centers like Multan, emerging female lawyers are seldom assessed based on their legal acumen or intellectual prowess. Instead, their evaluation often centers on their appearance, vocal delivery, sartorial choices, and general conduct. Professional reputation becomes a vulnerable asset, with character scrutiny often supplanting authentic mentorship. While male colleagues face critiques regarding their arguments, women are often judged on their accessories. Paradoxically, a woman's greater competence seems only to amplify her vulnerability to hushed criticisms and discreet marginalization.

This dynamic is further exacerbated by the unspoken professional unity frequently observed among men, regardless of their individual disparities. They tend to safeguard each other's reputations and bolster their standing within the professional fraternity. Women, conversely, appear to lack this shared instinct. Rather than a supportive sisterhood founded on reciprocal encouragement, what often emerges is an insecurity-driven hierarchy, where the achievements of one woman are perceived as a personal challenge by another.

I’ve observed senior female lawyers confiding in male colleagues with complaints about their female juniors' attire or perceived demeanor. These discussions seldom pertain to genuine professional concerns; they are typically trivial, personal observations masked as guidance. Nevertheless, in a profession where informal opinions wield considerable influence, such comments can inflict significant harm. It is disheartening to see the very women who once battled for recognition now employing the same instruments of criticism and exclusion that were once wielded against them.

The enduring triumph of patriarchy resides in its remarkable efficacy in transforming women into its own agents of enforcement. It not only curtails women's access to influence but also trains them to scrutinize and control each other's conduct. A significant number of women internalize the belief that survival in male-centric environments necessitates aligning with men and distancing themselves from other women. They pursue legitimacy through strict adherence to norms, convinced that male affirmation will secure their standing. In this pursuit, they inadvertently mirror the very systemic structures that once withheld respect from them.

Having dedicated extensive efforts to gender issues through research, collaborations with women's rights organizations, and advocacy on international platforms, I have experienced both the pinnacle and the nadir of professional sisterhood. I have proudly represented Pakistani women amidst preeminent human rights experts globally, benefiting immensely from the wisdom of remarkable individuals who truly comprehend the essence of authentic solidarity.

The indomitable courage and unwavering conviction of the late Asma Jahangir stand as a perpetual beacon of uncompromising advocacy for women. On the international stage, mentors like Professor Mary Ellen O’Connell in the USA and Professor Diane Desierto in the Philippines have illuminated for me the true nature of mentorship. They consistently refrained from perceiving another woman's aspirations as rivalry. Instead, they empowered and motivated those in their orbit, demonstrating unequivocally that collective strength is always magnified.

The disparity between these exemplary figures and the observations within our local professional culture is stark. Within Pakistan's legal circles, mentorship between women remains scarce. Instead, a climate where competition and adherence to norms are frequently incentivized prevails. Each time a woman's professionalism is challenged based on her clothing or demeanor, it re-establishes the notion that women must perpetually vindicate their presence in the legal field. Every occurrence of one woman discrediting another reinforces the very patriarchal standards that have historically impeded women's collective progress.

A common contention is that this behavior arises from competition for restricted opportunities. When avenues for women are few, rivalry might seem unavoidable. However, this line of reasoning itself perpetuates the inequality it attempts to clarify. As long as women are convinced that only a select few can reach the pinnacle, they will persist in vying against each other for recognition, rather than confronting the systemic barriers that exclude them. Genuine empowerment emanates not from contending for meager tokens of legitimacy, but from actively expanding opportunities for all women to prosper.

The Pakistani legal profession requires more than just an increased number of women; it needs women committed to mutual support and upliftment. It necessitates senior lawyers who embrace mentorship as a duty, not a perceived threat. It calls for women who grasp that solidarity is a source of strength, not a sign of weakness. Until such a shift occurs, any progress will remain incomplete and fragile.

Disrupting this established pattern demands both courage and humility. It necessitates women acknowledging the profound extent to which patriarchal ideologies have influenced their own inclinations, and consciously opting for collaboration instead of criticism. It calls for a transition from seeking external validation to constructing intrinsic value, from insecurity to self-assurance, and from cut-throat competition to fostering a supportive community.

Women cannot credibly assert they are challenging patriarchy while subtly replicating its detrimental patterns. We cannot legitimately demand equality from men if we withhold empathy from our fellow women. The societal transformation we aspire to must originate from within ourselves.

I frequently ponder how radically different the profession would appear if women extended to each other the same steadfast loyalty that men typically offer their peers. What if senior lawyers applauded the achievements of their female juniors instead of harboring resentment? What if genuine mentorship supplanted idle gossip, and encouragement replaced corrosive envy? While we often discuss shattering glass ceilings, perhaps the initial stride towards achieving this is to cease undermining one another.