Baloch Women: Pioneers of Resistance and Change

The history of Balochistan is rich with tales of women’s valiance, where figures like Banadi and Hani crisscrossed the pages of history with fidelity, loyalty, and unforgettable sacrifices. These women symbolize the strength and resilience of Baloch women, whose legacy continues into the present day. However, the current role of women in the Baloch national movement appear seven more striking, as they now stand at the forefront of the struggle, challenging not only societal norms but also state oppression.

In today’s Baloch movement, women are no longer confined to supporting roles; they are leaders and trend-setters, shaping public discourse and influencing the mindset of a patriarchal society. Despite the socio-economic and cultural impediments they face, Baloch women never back down from their obligations. They are seen leading marches and organizing protests, unwavering in their commitment to the cause, despite the constant threat of state repression.

Balochistan, a region plagued by illicit practices of law enforcement agencies, is deeply entangled in human rights violations, particularly the rampant issue of enforced disappearances.Families of the disappeared consistently cry out for justice, yet the state remains indifferent,disregarding their pleas. Instead, the law is often used against those who peacefully protest for the safe release of their forcibly disappeared loved ones, with protestors frequently labeled as foreign agents or terrorists. The state’s response to these peaceful protests is to maintain a climate of fear and repression, attempting to silence dissent by branding activists as enemies of the state.

The contrast between the Baloch movement and other uprisings, such as the “Arab Spring,” is stark. While the Arab Spring focused on political and economic rights, and the uneven allocation of resources and opportunities, the Baloch struggle is centered on the right to life, the preservation of identity, control over resources, and, most urgently, an end to enforced disappearances. The Baloch Spring seeks justice not only for economic deprivation but for existential threats to the very survival of the Baloch people.

When Egyptians rose up against corruption, exploitation, and the 30-year rule of an oppressive regime, commentators and the intelligentsia largely supported the state’s narrative, framing the uprising in a way that downplayed state culpability. In Balochistan, a similar pattern emerges.Despite decades of injustice, marginalization, and exploitation of Baloch resources, the local intelligentsia often refrains from directly criticizing state institutions. Instead, they attribute the region’s plight to minor political missteps or the actions of individual leaders, all while ignoring the broader systemic corruption and violence inflicted upon the Baloch people.

As Noha Hamed stated during the Tahrir Square demonstrations in Egypt, “We are suffering from corruption, oppression, and bad education. We are living amidst a corrupt system which has to change.” This sentiment resonates deeply with the situation in Balochistan, where corruption and oppression have persisted for decades.

When activists like Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch began opposing the state’s policy of collective punishment, rather than engaging with the legitimate grievances they raised, the authorities instead continued to uphold the status quo. They even initiated a vicious campaign against these women, aiming to discredit them and suppress their efforts to draw attention to state violence.

The role of Baloch women in the national movement is one of remarkable courage and defiance. Despite overwhelming odds and severe repression, they remain steadfast, influencing not only the struggle but also the very fabric of Baloch society. Their leadership and bravery are reshaping the narrative of resistance, showing that women are not just participants but central figures in the fight for justice and self-determination in Balochistan.