All We Need is Love: The Third Gender’s Call

_{By Simra Salman}

The eyes of your reflection meet those in the present world, and it seems as if you’re staring past your own self. Their heartbreaking comments echo through the vast passages of your head, and you almost hear your heart shatter into a million sharp pieces. You want to break this vicious cycle, but somehow you simply cannot reach the velocity for escape. This is the world, my darling: it criticizes you for who you are. From all aspects, physical to mental to spiritual, one never seems to be acceptable. No matter how much we progress in this millennial age, the toxic perspectives ingrained in our society would take a lot more than just time to be removed from amongst us. Regardless of whether you’re male or female, they set standards for you every step of the way. Failure to meet their criteria and you’ll inevitably lose value in their eyes.

 However, this world isn’t just black and white neither is it just male or female. Why do we as a society refuse to even acknowledge the third gender? Those who are perhaps the most vulnerable group in this “land of the pure”? Don’t shove that thought away, don’t turn away your face just like they all do, for they, too, are as human as you and I. Now imagine stepping into a trans person’s shoes. Imagine being asked to “be more masculine” or “be more feminine,” failing to be accepted for who you actually are. Imagine stepping out into a marketplace and automatically being associated with sex work. Imagine having finally one day been granted a protection bill only for it to contain a loophole that prevents you from receiving shelter from all these heinous crimes: it dictates discrimination against trans people as unlawful but fails to outline any penalty for such crimes. Imagine living in a world where the word “khusra” (the Urdu word for a eunuch) is considered the most degrading of insults. Imagine going to a hospital in need of immediate medical assistance only to be ridiculed unless someone “normal” accompanies you. Now just think how all of this would undermine your self-worth. While the entire burden of self-worth cannot be put on social interactions alone, one can’t refuse that they indeed play a significant role. After all, we are considered social animals, and even the most introverted amongst us is far from being the ideal introvert. Deteriorating mental health is basically a given if one is subjected to such brutality every single day of their life.

To mend our ways, we must first identify what caused us to go astray. After all, we are the youth of this nation, and the power in our hands is sometimes unfathomable. Undoubtedly, we can change this society for the better, if not the best, one step at a time. We at NUST Community Services Club not only acknowledge this strength of ours but try to awaken the sense of significance so essential to drive this machine amongst our fellows and the youth at large. Who better to learn from an issue than those directly subjected to it? This is precisely what inspired us to organize the session “Baat Cheet” on the 24th of February, 2022. The event was an interactive talk session with trans rights activists: Nayab Ali, with her 10 years’ long experience in activism; Bijli Baji, widely known for her courage, compassion, and her regular food drives in Islamabad; and Sherkaan Malik, a former debate coach and now a manager at Transgender Rights Pakistan. They candidly shared their stories, significantly enabling students to further their knowledge about the trans community and the common problems that they face. An Instagram Live session was also arranged with Dr. Awan before this event.

Trans people have always existed amongst us, but the intensity of discrimination amongst them has varied over the years. This gender minority belongs to different races and ethnic groups, speaks different languages, and has different backgrounds. There’s a long chain reaction triggered by an unwelcoming society that results in the terrible treatment of trans people. The earliest of such social interactions occur within our own homes. Quite often is the case that our toxic ideologies would undermine even blood ties, forcing trans children out of their homes at the youngest of ages. Did you know that Nayab Ali, who had ten years’ worth of humanitarian activist experience, was subjected to the same? Bijlee Baji, too was abandoned by her family at a very young age. She contacted them after 17 years, informing them of her diagnosis with Hepatitis C, upon which they said, “You may die from our side.” The importance of education in today’s world cannot be stressed enough. Our wants will always exceed our needs, but our needs are essential. Among the limited job opportunities across Pakistan, being educated certainly grants one the upper hand. Sharing their personal anecdotes, Dr. Awan emphasized that this would solve some, if not all, of their neglected peoples’ problems.

They always say that every cloud has a silver lining. Although a lot more effort is clearly required, we must recognize all efforts made to protect these individuals. University students from NUST raised funds for Bijli Baji’s treatment, and as a gesture of her gratefulness towards society at large, she organizes a food drive in F-11 every weekend. The first-ever madrasa for trans people opened in Okara in 2019, providing them a safe space to further their religious education. Moreover, the Supreme Court formed a committee for the “Trans People protection Act”, which ultimately led to the passing of the 2018 law, acknowledging the third gender under the CNIC section of NADRA. Rights to vote and contest in the elections were also granted. In democratic states like Pakistan, the political representation of minorities is indeed a huge milestone.  Though the complete effectiveness of the act is questionable and doesn’t define penalties against rape and other heinous acts.

The final question is: what can we, the youth of this nation, do for these lovely people of the earth who feel abandoned and rejected every day? Dr. Awan offered us a solution that was simple and complex at the same time. “All we need is love.” I’m not exaggerating when I say that my eyes tore up when I heard his words -for isn’t love the core emotion that gives life all its meaning? Your mother looking into your eyes and telling you that she believes that you’re the most beautiful child in the entire world. Your boss appreciating your good efforts, making your heart swell with joy. Your friend showing you off to the world, feeling privileged to have been blessed with your company, making you want to be there for them in all ways. Having a significant other that truly complements your being, each providing the essence for the other’s existence. Working for others in any way that you possibly could to change the world for the better. Allowing each other to progress as individuals in harmony. There is love behind all this, but there isn’t nearly enough for this minority group. Nothing is permanent, but with the right efforts, we can reshape this all. All we need to have is faith, humanity, and the courage to go on. Hoping that one day, Pakistan becomes a country where people of all shades are truly safe and secure and that we set out an example of rhythm to follow.

Workers of the World, Unite!

_{By Rana Hunain}

He is hopeless! Painstakingly hopeless! His daughter’s face swirls around in his mind a hundred times a second. He can feel his dead wife’s solacing presence surrounding him. He watches cars zooming across the road near the plantation he works on. Extravagance around him makes his pitifulness more visible. By plantation owner’s rules, his labor doesn’t belong to him. He bemoans his life for not having freedom of choice and owning his labor. He doesn’t sell his labor in a voluntary exchange; the labor is owned by the plantation owner. He belongs to the group “HAVE NOTS.”

This is the everyday story of many we see in our society. Selling one’s labor to someone else is the oldest form of exchange, stretching back to early human developments. The most common story of the beginning of civilization delineated when agricultural societies became productive enough to generate food surpluses, then the need for a medium of exchange, placement of political power, and division of labor was felt. At this critical turn, nations worldwide decided on a pyramidical society. With the ascension of this NEW WORLD ORDER, we observe a pattern of classifications emerging like master and slave, aristocracy and common man, laborer and man with the lash. This binary arrangement of society produced dichotomies i.e., ruling class, working class. And capital was hand in hand with the ruling class and political authority.

Our conception of labor

When we think of labor or laborer, portraits of bricklayers, and peasants run across our eyes. Our view of work or labor is very much myopic. This confusion about the nature of work is readily described by the division of the workforce into blue-collar and white-collar workers. A laborer is anyone who sells their time in producing goods and services to an employer for a wage. Essentially white-collar workers are higher paid “corporate slaves.” Owning your labor is an intrinsic right in exchange. Here, owning profoundly means not selling your labor when you don’t want to sell. But practically, labor has to participate in an exploitative apparatus that feeds on labor while refusing to give equal standing. Historically, during the feudal economies of the middle ages, work was meant for the slaves and serfs. Employment in the current sense of the word was pretty much non-existent. The slave market provided slaves for any kind of labor. But it changed with the introduction of craftsmanship. Work was more than just producing goods and raising the standard of life. It was more of a way to express yourself in a dimension other than art and also the meaning and fulfillment it gave. When Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine chapel, it was employment.

Labor rights: an egalitarian deal

The doctrine of egalitarianism dictates that the best state of society encompasses freedom, equality, and justice. But this free-agent scheme was the recipe for imploding quagmire. The amount of money is proportional to the freedom of choice and liberty. Socialist movements of the 19^th century were aimed at this conundrum that freedom to utilize private property was obfuscating equality for the masses. This tradition of opposing the ruling class still affects today’s leftist politics. Redemption of an equal society is concealed in redeeming labor rights.

Labor rights: a religious ideal

Religion has been the sole arbitrator for human conditions since the sophistication of mankind. This is what some of the major religions have to say about labor rights:

Christianity:

Jesus (PBUH) was a carpenter. A profession that represents wholesome work.

Bible says, “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,

But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

Islam:

Islam doesn’t advise the socio-economic layout that polarizes society into binary dilemmas of owner and worker, those who HAVE and HAVE NOT.

Prophet Muhammad said, “pay the laborer before his sweat dries out.” 

Labor Rights are Human Rights

Human dignity is sacred. Realizing, preaching, and protecting it are the noblest of deeds. If we find some group deprived of dignity and respect, we must devise a way to mediate their problems as a developed civilization. This is the sole reason we have human rights. Labor rights must be considered human rights to protect dignity and respect. Lack of labor rights or improper implementation of labor laws haunts the lives of the labor class. The poor labor class initiates a vicious circle of poverty which drags down the whole society. Labor rights are a marker of how we care about our less fortunate factions of society. Secondly, labor laws also help maintain equality.

Historical Movements

After four millennia of intellectual evolution, enlightenment taught us about individual liberty and free-enterprise economics in which accumulation of wealth was declared as antediluvian extinct. Labor was surrendered in front of big corporations. This created a rift throughout Europe. Astute politicians and business barons were crushing the labor class with 14-16 hour workdays 6 days a week. LABOR LAWS: a phrase with no introduction to the so-called civilized world. The labor market back then was a sophisticated form of slavery. Craftsmanship was replaced by mass production. Cities began to swell. Child labor was employed to fill intricate machine parts in confined spaces. Capitalists owned fruits of labor. Nature of work for the masses returned to a backbreaking ordeal. All this commotion in the air paved the way for labor rights movements across Europe in various regions of space and time.

The American labor movement in the 19^th century was very much active in the struggle for the betterment of workers. Organized labor unions pushed for higher salaries, more reasonable working hours, and safer working conditions for people in the industrial sector. The labor movement spearheaded attempts to end child labor, offer health benefits, and assist wounded or retired employees.

Labor laws in Pakistan were formulated in the 60s. Later on, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was considered the leader of the masses and had socialist leanings, practically unionized every profession and crushed the capitalist class by nationalizing the enormous chunks of private conglomerates.

“Under the Factories Act, 1934, no adult employee, defined as a worker who has completed his or her 18th year of age, can be required or permitted to work in any establishment in excess of nine hours a day and 48 hours a week.”

UN activity about labor rights is centered upon ensuring the eradication of child labor, forced labor, and decent working conditions. The current state of the labor market across the globe, According to UN GLOBAL COMPACT:

• Almost one in ten children are subject to child labor, or 160 million children globally, a number that has risen for the first time in two decades
• 24.9 million people are trapped in forced labor
• More than 630 million workers worldwide — that is, almost one in five, or 19%, of all those employed — did not earn enough to lift themselves and their families out of extreme or moderate poverty
• Each day 7,500 people die from unsafe and unhealthy working conditions
• 74% of countries exclude workers from the right to establish and join a trade union, while 79% of countries violate the right to collective bargaining, and 64 countries deny or constrain freedom of speech and assembly
• Hundreds of millions of people suffer from discrimination in work because of their skin color, ethnicity or social origin, religion, or political beliefs.

Current Labor Movements

In America, during the pandemic, corporations laid off massive amounts of workers, which helped them maintain their stock prices, and their businesses didn’t go under. This cynical handling of labor has helped develop class consciousness in the worker community. America is experiencing what is dubbed “The Great Resignation.” Workers are demanding better wages and good health insurance. Leftist politicians are calling for higher tax rates on billionaires and pushing for legislation to up the minimum wage. Unionization is a powerful tool against the ruling class. A collective body that represents the common interest of workers. Workers of major corporations like Amazon and Starbucks have voted for unionization.

Future of Labor

We live in a craven, transactional economy where we are only worth as much as our personal brand, and jobs are unstable. With the advent of the gig economy like Airbnb, Bykea, Uber, and Foodpanda stability of jobs has vanished. You are not enlisted as an employee but as a contractor, i.e., Rider. Unfreedom has been veiled as freedom. But the future seems hopeful. After 30 years of unregulated economics, wealth inequality has soared, and the new generation is cynical about the current system. Socialistic sentiments are prevalent in Gen Z. According to the Institute of Economic Affairs, a study found that 67% of 16-25-year-old men are distrustful of the government and Wall Street.

All we need is a crystal clear description of objectives and a way to deal with politics. Individual actions are the backbone of any movement, which culminates in the acceptance of more significant goals of the labor class.       

The Gift of Giving

_{By Sameen Salahuddin}

Spirits run high, their festivity holding us closely during the month of Ramzan. It’s a moment for us to feel, a moment for us to give, and a moment for us to share. The Holy month of Ramzan touches down on both spiritual and worldly affairs and reminds us that there is more to being human; we fast, we pray, and we ask for forgiveness, but we also need to look beyond the lens of our comfort, we need to look at our community and remember: our privilege does not extend to all. 

The Holy month of Ramzan invokes a feeling of empathy within us all, a sense of urgency to give back and help those around us. And the ways to act on that -to bring a smile to people’s faces, ease the weight on their shoulders, and remind the world that there is good left in humanity- are countless.

One such way is to bring food to people’s tables and to fill empty stomachs; particularly in a country that has been severely ravaged by poverty and the pandemic, this one step could go a long way, and it could encourage onlookers to repeat the same gesture. 

The ease of inspiring others with action compared to the fruitlessness of preaching empty words was one of the driving forces behind initiating, “Iftar from the heart”, NCSC’s first ration drive to distribute food to the underprivileged and to extend the comforts of Ramzan to those struggling. This time of the year offers a mirror of reflection: the delicacies we enjoy during Iftar and on Eid are not experienced by those less fortunate, so why not have a hand in bringing them memories and delight?

Often, while fasting, we prefer to sleep up to Iftar time. But the true essence of Ramzan lies in putting in the effort and putting in the work, of making long arduous journeys in the heat to reach the scene -journeys such as the one undertaken by NCSC volunteers on 23rd April:

There is a moment of fright and glee when you realize the little kids playing with firecrackers are a little too close, but their energy and giddiness still bring a smile to your face. You almost want to join in, before remembering that there is still a mission that needs fulfilling. 

Going door to door to deliver the ration packages and meeting a plethora of people from various backgrounds allows you to form connections, to learn, even if only for a moment, about the ways they live and carry themselves. You converse with Afghan refugees and attempt to converse with those who don’t speak Urdu, only Pashto. You lose your footing, lost in unfamiliar languages and expressions, but it’s easy to catch yourself and share a smile and a package. As they express gratitude, warmth settles over you, seeping into your bones; you are reminded of the potency you have, the potency of small changes that, bit by bit, add up to grand gestures.

We are all the same in the eyes of Allah; we may be leading different lives, walking different paths, and painting different colors on our blank canvas world, but we are one and the same to Him in our humanity. Will He not be happy to see us aid our fellow people?

The ration drive may have come to an end, but this is just the conclusion of one chapter, not the completion of our story. There are still many ways for us to reflect, for us to think, for us to help out: they do not need to be tied down to the month of Ramzan. Even beyond this month, let these memories of the ones we supported carry us onward toward an endless path of sharing joy, fulfillment, and blessing.  

Bread for Every Breath

_{By Fatima Shahid}

تڑپ کر بھوک سے جاگتے ہیں، انہیں نیند نہیں آتی

یہ تو غریب لوگ ہیں صاحب، ان پر عید نہیں آ تی

I was a witness to her withering breaths for months. The waning lub dub of her heart, the slackening of her joints and muscles, the sudden plonks of the ECG lines scaring the living daylights out of me followed by the upswings giving me a faint ray of hope. “Allah mujhe apnay paas bula kyun nahi leta, Mirha?” she would repeatedly ask me, eyes filled with agony, dark half-moons lingering underneath them. The question was always followed by a dead, hopeless silence because there was nothing I could do. Despair engulfed me completely.

Gradually, almost all my lifelines hit the skids. Before the pandemic set foot, when the world wasn’t as dark and static as it is now, when I was able to pay all my bills on time, when I was a mettlesome breadwinner for my family – which includes me, my son and my Amma jaan – I used to be a tickled pink beautician at a bijou salon in town. Alhamdulillah, I would mutter under my breath upon receiving a modest pay at month’s end. Bliss would take over me. Despite being a run-of-the-mill job for many, my job was like a cherry pie for me, something that took me on cloud nine. Nothing made me happier than hearing Amma jaan say “Teen waqt ki roti izzat se naseeb hoti hai humein”. It was a sublime blessing for all of us.

We were ecstatic. We were beaming. We were breathing. Little did we know how ephemeral and temporary all this could be. The onset of the pandemic was a death blow for me. The cessation of all social activities and mass shutdown across the country meant that I could no longer work at my winsome salon. Horror and dread ran through my blood as I ruminated over the future of me and my family. The only thread of light I could see at that moment was my prowess in the field of baking.

Two weeks post the outbreak of pandemic, I found myself embellishing a batch of twenty donuts with icing sugar, though no amount of it could oust the bitterness that had crept into my life. Online confectionery business isn’t a walk in the park – marketing, advertising, procuring customers, maintaining product quality – all can be quite grueling and demanding. With many pre-eminent bakeries transitioning to provision of online services, fledgling businesses like mine did not stand much chance. With a heavy sigh, I counted the few notes I was able to make over the month.

Lockdown was like a pause button for me. I felt futile. I felt hollow. My hopes diminished as days and months passed. World had grown smaller for me owing to the horde of responsibilities on me. My coping paraphernalia was exhausted and worn to a frazzle. The strokes of the paintbrush that filled me with felicity, the rays of sunlight slashing through the curtains at 7 A.M that charged me with vitality for the day, the dawn chorus of the birds that caulked every part of me going through agony – failed to perk me up. Inertness oozed out of everything. All was drenched in despondency. 

Just like the world was beginning to dwindle for me, Amma jaan also lost all her lifelines. No more friends’ meetups, no more gossip sessions with Bushra Auntie who lived next door, no more dawdling around the malls looking for those enamel tea sets. We were living hand-to-mouth, meandering in gloom, not knowing how life at the end of the tunnel would be like and the fact that not all of us would be able to make it to the end…The only lifeline left for me and Amma jaan was little Sheraz, he was a beacon of light for us. Even in such trying times, he managed to be all smiles. Him saying “Mama mein ab se kuch bhi kha loon ga” while seeing me fretfully add the last bits of his favorite koko crunch petals to his bowl, was truly overwhelming. Looking at my seven-year old kid filled me with motivation to keep striving, for things will get better one day. إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا – Beshak mushkil kay saath asaani hai – I recited day and night, while hopelessly seeing all food stocks plummet as days passed.

“Amma jaan aap theek hain!?” my voice echoed through the hallway as I rushed to Amma who was holding tight onto the edge of the bed with dribbles of sweat trickling down her forehead. Her face was pale as a waning moon, her eyes widened and filled with trepidation, her body weak as a nestling in falcon’s grip. Frantic with worry, I scurried to the hospital where Amma jaan was diagnosed with arrythmia – which encompasses irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain followed by dizzy spells and fainting fits. Like this wasn’t dismantling enough, the doctor bludgeoned me totally by pointing out the cause of arrythmia to be anemia. Elucidating further – it was an inherited form of anemia called sickle cell anemia that was made worse due to low dietary intake in the past few months. The amount of guilt that flowed through my veins was immeasurable. I held myself accountable for Amma jaan’s shriveling health.

The rustling of leaves as spring breathes heals aching hearts, not this time. Dejection prevailed.

Amma jaan’s medicines and monthly check-ups became stakeholders of my meagre salary. I put my shoulder to the wheel and stopped at nothing, but despite all my efforts, Amma jaan’s condition kept deteriorating. Things took turn for the worse when Amma jaan had a heart failure not long after being diagnosed with anemia. The doctors didn’t have the nicest words to offer. Amma jaan’s heart had enlarged in size to pump more blood, in order to make up for the lack of oxygen in the blood. She suffered a stage C heart failure which could make its way to stage D if left untreated. Aortic Valve Replacement was sought to be the work-around in Amma jaan’s case – the only impediment being the fairly high mortality rate in the follow-up period. Alas, we had no choice. I couldn’t see Amma jaan in that condition. She was in pain. I consented to carrying out the AVR. 

My eyes trailed over the rainbow connecting the two ickle clouds hovering at the sides of the card. Vacuously, I gawked at the handprints that stood prominently underneath the rainbow. Sheraz’s petite hands. Hashtags of “Together we fight” and “Stay strong mama” were scribbled at the bottom of the card – it was a beautiful card, one that meant a lot to me, one that my little baby gave to me seeing me teary-eyed and demoralized in the waiting room of the hospital. The meticulous yet vivacious strokes of the crayons evinced vitality, optimism and buoyancy. A light at the end of the tunnel. Something that I desperately needed then, for I was devastated. It took me by awe how my seven-year-old little kid could turn into my biggest support system, a crutch for me throughout my struggle. My only lifeline.

Weeks passed.

Holding Sheraz’s finger, I walk in the windy streets of Islamabad. I drink in the sweet smell of spring, hoping for it to be therapeutic for my maimed soul. My eyes look for the lambent forsythia and daffodils. I seek for reassurance – being told that this too shall pass. 

Everything does. So will I. So did Amma jaan. 

This is the story of Mirha. A dauntless woman who despite being faced with several adversities due to the pandemic, moved earth and heaven to cater for her family. COVID-19 gave birth to hundreds or even thousands of such Mirhas. The pandemic continues to have debilitating effects on world hunger and poverty. Disruptions in the supply chains and rise in consumer demands has drastically raised food prices across the globe. Malnutrition and child hunger have exacerbated. About two-thirds of households with children have lost income ever since the pandemic set foot. “It is a dire picture and the poorest households are being pushed even deeper in poverty”, in words of the UNICEF Director of Programme Group. 

In many of the households that are a victim of food insecurity, people are going a day or more without food. The pandemic has disrupted every nook and corner of the healthcare system. World has been propelled into a well of misery and gloom.

Pakistan – a country that is already a victim of extreme poverty due to political turmoil as well as natural disasters – has been slashed by the pandemic. The volatile situation in Pakistan convoyed by the pandemic has aggravated hunger and poverty in the country. Up to 40% of the population has been pushed below the poverty line in COVID-19’s viral wake. About 20% of the population is undernourished that has led to roughly 38% of the children experiencing stunting. Though efforts are being made to fight hunger and the country has implemented initiatives to beat this calamity, these efforts are minuscule and limited. Challenges in eradication of food insecurity persist and hunger is still a major issue in Pakistan.

“I just feel like I get one piece of good news that makes me think life isn’t going to be bad, and then here comes 30 things to basically push me right back down in this hole that I feel like I’ve been trying to dig myself out of for the last probably 15 years”. These are the heart-rending words of another Mirha who is striving to provide for her family under the prevailing harrowing conditions. Another one – a teen selling soda bottles, holding his one-year old brother, along the rail tracks near his shanty home. In every direction, we will see distressing stories and dispirited souls. Not much of a sight to behold. We have to be the sunshine for these people stranded in darkness. We must do whatever is in our power to help them out, extend a hand of solace and warmth.

Feeding those around us leads to bakhshish and in this holy month of Ramadan the reward of this deed would surely be multiplied. Ibn al-Qayyim said, “If Allah Almighty had forgiven one who gave water to a dog suffering from extreme thirst, then how about one who relieves the thirst, satisfies the hunger, and clothes the naked among the Muslims?” 

Kindness and generosity are the most underrated agents of human change. You can give as little as a penny, a date, or a raisin – small drops amass to become a sea. Remember that happiest people are not those who are getting more, rather those who are giving more. 

Our religion emphasizes on feeding the poor, it is a highly rewarding act in Islam:

• It is considered to be one of the best Islamic traits.
• By doing so, you will be following the Sunnah as Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Free the captives, feed the hungry and pay a visit to the sick.” 
• It is the attribute of a true believer.
• You will be questioned about it in the Hereafter.
• You will be rewarded with Jannah. Our beloved Prophet S.A.W said ’Whichever believer feeds a hungry believer, Allah feeds him from the fruits of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection…′ [Tirmidhi]
• You will be carrying out a Sadaqah and can even reap Sadaqah Jariyah rewards for it

This year NCSC is playing its part to stifle hunger prevalent in the country. You can play your part and help us fill the empty stomachs and empty tables. Join us in extending a helping hand to the families that do not know where their next meal will be coming from. It’s not about how much you give, rather how much love you put into giving. You have two hands, use one to help yourself and the second to help others. Donate today and cement tomorrows. NCSC will ensure that 100% of your donation reaches those in need.

Do things for those around you not because of who they are, but because of who you are. Be the change you wish to see in the world.

‘Whoever saves one (life) – it is as if he had saved all of humanity’. [The Noble Qur’an, 5:32]

References

https://www.undp.org/press-releases/pakistan-pandemic-could-push-millions-more-povertyhttps://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2021/07/benefits-of-feeding-the-poor-in-hadith-and-quranhttps://reliefweb.int/report/world/pandemic-and-poverty-covid-19-impact-world-s-poorhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-05664-3

‘Crazy Talk’: The Local Stigma Against Mental Health

_{By Maria Rafiq}

We face tremendous stress as part of just being alive in an era of hustle culture, where whatever we do, is just not enough, and honestly, it is sometimes beyond overwhelming. Wherever we are, be it at work, at home, or in a friends’ gathering, we hear someone saying; “I am so stressed out” or “I am so anxious”. But talk about mental health and the next thing we hear is,

“You can do better.”

“You should be a little thick skinned.”

“Oh! Come on, you should pull yourself up by your bootstraps and move on.”

Mental health disorders are often linked with insanity, labelled as craziness, and tabooed in our society. More people with mental illnesses end up in criminal jails than in psychiatric hospitals because of not being educated, being unable to identify the symptoms of mental illness, not knowing what to do about it from the stigma of really dealing with it head on, and lack of proper healthcare.

What distinguishes disease from health is the difference among the two states. To understand what illness is, we must first understand what health is. To make things right, we must be aware of things that are wrong. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Our mental health affects how we think, feel and act. It determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Whenever there is an interruption in the flow of these processes, we start manifesting and experiencing symptoms of mental illnesses.

There are different types of mental illnesses. Anxiety disorders, phobias, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), psychosis, schizophrenia, and mood disorders like major depression, persistent mood disorder, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, or seasonal affective disorder, and substance related mood disorder. Most of these disorders are casually passed on as “a bad day”, or “rough time”. Approximately, 280 million people in world are suffering from depression and experience at least five of the common symptoms of depression including changes in sleep pattern, appetite and weight, trouble concentrating, decrease in ability to make decisions, irritability, agitation, and hostility. On the other end of the spectrum, there is mania, which is complete opposite of depression. Feeling elated, high energy, very fast train of thoughts which can’t be verbalized, irritability, agitation, and being impulsive, are some of the symptoms of mania. Mental disorders are manifested over a longer span of time and going through life’s problems, like excessive emotional stress, getting fired from a job, divorce, loss of a loved one, death in family, and financial loss, can trigger the symptoms. It is very important to recognize the signs and get the right treatment and medication from professionals.

There is a common perception in our society that children don’t have mental illnesses; everything is immediately classified as bad behavior. This results in the delay in diagnosis of mental illnesses which leads to a lot of complications and problems in the life of the child. If ADHD (Attention deficit/Hyperactivity disorder), which is usually diagnosed between the ages of four and sixteen, remains undiagnosed and unmanaged, it can lead to mood disorders, extreme sadness, and anxiety. Autistic children show symptoms like, delayed language skills, delayed motor skills, delayed cognitive or learning skills, hyperactive, impulsive, or inattentive behavior. Instead of getting a proper diagnosis, an autistic child can easily be labelled as “Dumb” and the condition might go undiagnosed in many cases, leading to a worse quality of life and poor mental health outcomes. Symptoms that present as irritability or high levels of anxiety in children can progress to depression in adults. Lack of early engagement and support, and expectations push the person further into the tunnel of darkness later in the life. It all starts when the kids are little with tiny things like, declining to have a conversation about emotions, not teaching them the vocabulary to name their emotions, calling them out for bad behavior instead of asking them what is bothering them, and not providing them a safe space to freely express their feelings.

We are like a machine, to function optimally, we need to have all our systems working in complete harmony. If you have a physical health issue or certain medical condition that may be linked with mental illnesses, you are at higher risk of being vulnerable to a mental health disorder. Chronic pain, for example increases the risk of depression. Sometimes, mental illness is hereditary and is linked with genetics. You cannot possibly fight your genes, so, you have got to take good care of your mental wellbeing and invest more in your mental health. More importantly, whatever you put into your body, your systems react to it. Drugs and alcohol may seem like fun unless your epigenetics put you at a higher risk of a mental illness. Alcohol causes depression and methamphetamine causes psychosis. If you are already at risk of schizophrenia either because of family history or environmental factors and you consume marijuana, it can accelerate the appearance of the symptoms by 7 years. Similarly, if a person is suffering from mental illness, he or she may start harboring physical symptoms like unusual eating and sleeping habits, gastrointestinal issues (e.g., constipation), changes in weight, nausea, body aches etc.

The takeaway is, take good care of your physical and mental wellbeing, educate yourself and others about mental health and create a safe space for others to express themselves. Think of your mental health as your retirement account, you cannot draw from it unless you invested in it. It is a glaring fact that life is going to throw some hard balls on us, so why not invest in the golden pot of mental health because we are going to dip into it, at some point in our lives.

In Hopes of a Better World: Orphans kNOw More

_{by Roshnik Rahat}

“Don’t think that I don’t miss you baba,

Don’t think that I don’t remember you, baba

I’m your son, baba and I know you’re always with me”

There is a melancholic silence followed by a round of applause for Adil* as the poem competition concludes. The applause is led by an audience consisting of 10 volunteers from the NUST Community Service Club (NCSC) and 30 orphans from Noreen Zindagi Welfare Trust. The children and volunteers have been huddled together in the playground next to the orphanage, where for the past 2 hours they’ve been drawing, coloring and sharing stories.

While the visits happen almost weekly under the banner of Orphans kNOw More (OKM), a central project under NCSC, it’s a weekly challenge to interact and socialize with the shy children. However, by the end of each visit there is a sense of camaraderie as the volunteers and children are clustered together in groups and share details about their school days, why math is their favorite subject and how yellow is the best color for Snow White’s gown.

Coloring activity as part of an OKM visit

In contrast to this seemingly bright picture, most of Pakistan’s orphans live much harsher lives. It is estimated that there are more than 4 million orphans in Pakistan: thousands of whom are undocumented. Additionally, natural disasters, poverty and terrorism further exacerbate the situation leading to homelessness, lack of food and education^[1].

Child Labor and Orphans:

Overall, Children, especially homeless children are at a higher risk of sexual exploitation, economic exploitation and trafficking. While Pakistan is a signatory of the convention on Rights of the Child (CRC), little public effort has been made to bring these rights to fruition. With 68% of births being unregistered in the country, there is often little data which can be used to document and tackle child mistreatment and child labor^[2].

courtesy: UNICEF

In 2020, the Pakistani government made the national commission for the rights of children but there is much work to be done in this regard^[3]. Some major issues to be tackled include the following;

• 20% of the children (age 5 to 14 ) are working 
• 90% of the carpet industry workforce is made up of children.
• Pakistan has the second highest number of children out of school.
• 90% of street children in Pakistan work in sex trade^[4].

According to one study published in the global political review the majority of street children in Pakistan are orphans^[5]. This puts them at increased risk of sexual abuse and trafficking. Furthermore children who have lost a parent or whose parents are suffering from severe diseases such as (T.B., HIV, AIDS etc.) are more likely to be exploited as the need of providing for the entire family falls unto them.

Solutions:

Thus, it is essential to provide orphans with safe havens for their complete welfare. While much still has to be overcome, it is simultaneously important to acknowledge that Pakistan has a rich history – stemming from its culture and religion – for caring for orphans. Noreen Zindagi trust is one such example: there are also Edhi homes for orphans and SOS villages for their educational and welfare development.

Similarly student-led organizations like OKM which rely on sponsors can provide much needed relief and ensure that more than just the basic needs of these children are met. After all child labor and exploitation are only some of the problems these children will face in their lifetimes. If orphanages are not handled properly then children may face harassment, abuse and anxiety^[6]. In contrast, adequate facilities and care can produce homes where children are loved and cared for and the demands for both their present and future are met.

Bonding session with the kids!

This is certainly true in the case of Adil, who has grown into an empathetic and clever young boy, excelling both in academics and socialization despite his harsh circumstances – circumstances in which many children often have the option of reaching neither. 

Can we create a country where 4 million orphans just like Adil have the opportunities to grow and succeed? Watching Adil finish his poem with confidence and grace , it becomes easy to imagine.

* Names have been changed to maintain privacy.

References:

[1] https://www.orphansinneed.org.uk/news/how-to-help-orphans-in-pakistan/

[2] https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/child-protection-0

[3] https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/pakistan

[4] https://borgenproject.org/child-labor-in-pakistan-2/

[5] https://www.gprjournal.com/jadmin/Auther/31rvIolA2LALJouq9hkR/PccnlG7vwK.pdf

[6] https://ideapublishers.org/index.php/lassij/article/view/111