Is it unreasonable that a Pakistan rape victim's blog makes waves?

Question

Mukhtar Mai was once an anonymous Pakistani villager - but that was before she was gang-raped, apparently on the orders of local elders in a neighbouring village.

Now Mukhtar Mai, who is in her mid-30s, is writing her own internet diary, or blog, about her life and her concerns, as a woman from a remote village in southern Punjab.

Some Pakistanis - a significant minority - speak of Mukhtar Mai's disservice to the image of Pakistan, and the unbalanced view she gives of rural life.

"All of us sympathise with what happened to you. Everyone feels bad about that. Please now try to forget and stay at home, and don't make us a laughing-stock in the world," says one writer.

Another is equally outspoken: "What a shame! Are women in Europe and elsewhere not raped every day? The way certain Western organisations have given prominence to Mai in their reports - to me, it's a conspiracy to humiliate Pakistan."

"I accept that Mai has suffered; but I am against the things she did afterwards, exposing such incidents as really wrong, when the Pakistani government is trying to provide justice. She should stop it right now."

The last 3 paragraphs are from people opposed to reform in Pakistan.
Thses are certainly not my views.

Thanks to 'fair-and-squire' for his support.
Just for his information I'm not a 'dalit' nor am I ever likely to be.

Further details from
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5323858.stm

The best answer so far is from 'hayaa_bi_taqwa'. Assume from her avatar she is Muslim. The world needs more people like you to speak up. Most just make patriotic utterances which just mean 'sweep it under the carpet'. 'hayaa_bi_taqwa' is so correct about the "embarassment" bit.

Answer 1

I think what she did was very brave and outstanding on her part. Most of the people in that region have alot of pride for their culture, and I can understand how some of them feel that it would be an embarassment to them (Lord knows the media will take anything and run with it), however it is just as much their responsibility for allowing such things to happen. Yes, it is an embarassment to their society and it very well should be and should be publicized to it's fullest in hopes that they stop allowing things like this to happen. If they won't do it to protect the rights of their women then at least do it to save themselves the "embarassment."

Answer 2

It is only unreasonable if everyone involved has been sent to jail for their part in it, including the village elders. Some times it takes one lone woman standing up and saying "Enough! This will stop here!' for things to change And in other countries, the victim is not punished and ostracized like in Pakistan, but the rapists are punished and ostracized. She is a very brave, strong woman to stand up against the whole male population of Islam the way she is doing.

Answer 3

For too long, women who have been raped have been humiliated in courts, in their families and in society. The shame and guilt they feel has nearly destroyed them and if writing about it brings her some closure, good for her. What is the government doing to bring justice? I doubt that it's much. Women are just of little value and have always been told to try and forget and stay home. Well as a former rape victim (51 years ago--I was 13), I still haven't forgotten. I've been able to make something of my life because I did talk about it. Good luck to her.

Answer 4

This is a brave woman who is using her voice to speak out against institutional abuse. The dissenters are more concerned with image than justice.
Women in the west should take note of this woman's bravery - I'm off to start a blog and detail all the crumby men who have cheated, abused and left me high and dry.

Answer 5

Of course she should speak up and out. If it happened to her how many others is it happening to? As for "exposing such incidents as really wrong" I really don`t understand your statement. Rape is the vilest thing that can happen to a woman. How would you feel if you was to be forcibly buggered by a gang of blokes who didn`t give 2 hoots about your feelings?

Answer 6

I admire Mukhtar Mai for making the injustice visible, thus increasing the possibility that it will not happen again. She deserves justice. Her fellow Pakistanis should be supporting her, not trying to sweep her and the crimes perpetrated against her under the rug.

Answer 7

Would you tell your wife, sister, or daughter to not make waves if she were gang raped? I know I would be ready to take out a second mortgage on my home to rent billboard space and show full color pictures of the bas****s who did it. Until I received my own justice. Rape is not justice nor is it justifiable or condoneable.

Answer 8

Her life, her page, her thoughts, her right. Let her do what she wants. You or them have absolutely no idea what she's been through, let her deal with it whatever way she chooses. It's actually very brave of her, and a healthy way for her to deal with whats happened.

Answer 9

i support her in her attempt to bring justice to other women ALL over the world women are bought to these kind of horrible attrocitis and it just goes un noticed. for those women who are victims off these crimes know and be aware that God sees all and is the most just of us all so be patient and hope for a reward from your lord

Answer 10

I say make waves big enough to drown a 30th story office building worker..