ISLAMABAD: South Asian
writers avoid writing on gender issues, but Dr Anita Weiss rightly
explained the political paths of domestic powers in South Asian
countries and identified the power distribution, political priorities,
identity and women empowerment since the end of British rule in the
region.  She also emphasises social understanding within region to
achieve sustainable development.

These were the views of the speakers on Thursday at the launching
ceremony of Dr Anita Weiss’s book at the 17th Sustainable Development
Conference, organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute
(SDPI).

“The Pathways to Power, the Domestic Politics of South Asia”
highlights the political facts, similarities in prospects of the South
Asian countries and identical politics in which politicians, bureaucrats
and businessmen comes together and work for big business rather than
developing instrumental policies.

Speakers lauded Dr Weiss for the way in which the book highlights the
complexity of domestic powers in the context of local culture and
politics in South Asia and the fact that it includes ‘secrets’ behind
what is happening inside regional countries.

Dr Rifaat Hussain congratulated Dr Weiss and said that she brightly
explain the complexity of the domestic politics while paying attention
to the local context of society and culture. “Quaid-i- Azam mobilised
the Muslims behind the idea of Pakistan and he was very conscious about
politics of Muslim identity with a very clear vision of Pakistan,”
Hussain said.

Dr Farzana Bari, a social activist, appreciated Dr Weiss for focusing
on the contemporary politics in all countries of South Asia. “There are
many commonalities in terms of competitive women’s struggle in South
Asia,” she mentioned three barriers — ideological, cultural and
institutional — to women empowerment in South Asia and added that
political parties are also a barrier as the corridors of power are
guarded by men.

Dr Bishnu Raj Upreti, said the book is a timely contribution towards a
more integrated South Asia and explained that the social cost of the
militarisation of South Asia is increasing and directly affecting social
development.

Dr Rasheedul Mahmood Titumir said most South Asian writers avoid
writing on gender issues, but this book highlights facts, similarities
in the prospects of South Asian countries, and identical politics in
which politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen comes together and make
pro- business policies rather than developing “instrumental policies”
for the people.

Source : http://tribune.com.pk/story/805578/book-launch-political-barriers-to-entry-for-women-highlighted/