Book Review: Working With Sharks By Raza Rumi

I have known Dr Fouzia Saeed for a few years and have always marveled at her dedication to the variety of causes she has espoused in her career as a writer, development professional and an activist. In the recent past, Fouzia has virtually acted as the backbone of getting the anti-sexual harassment policy and legislation passed by the authorities. Today, Pakistan can be proud that it has progressive laws against sexual harassment with preliminary institutional structures to implement them. In a society defined by sexism and misogyny this has been an extraordinary victory of women's groups, civil society and progressive politicians who joined hands to address the widespread harassment at workplaces. "I stopped focusing on those who did not support us because there were many other people who did...I made a big star with French fries and put it in front of me on the table..." Since 2001, Fouzia has led 'An Alliance Against Sexual Harassment' (AASHA) for years and recently she also disbanded so that it did not turn into another funds consuming entity. It is only after reading her new book "Working with Sharks" one gets a sharp insight into a decade-long struggle which germinated in one of the United Nations (UN) agencies. This epic journey later entered the national mainstream leading to the 2010 legislation against sexual harassment. Fouzia's earlier work 'Taboo' was a bestseller not just in Pakistan but also across the globe. Its translations have been read and debated in several countries. Thematically 'Taboo' traversed the similar ground: women's exploitation, their agency and will to survive and fight an iniquitous system. 'Sharks' is more of a personal memoir - racy, accessible and often quite poignant. In a way, Fouzia's voice encapsulates the dilemmas and struggles of thousands of women in Pakistan who deal with hostile office environments. Since the number of women in public spaces is rising, this book comes at a critical juncture of our contemporary history. Fouzia narrates how she along with ten other women filed a case of sexual harassment in UNDP, Pakistan in December 1997. It took years and tenacity by Fouzia and her associates to get justice from the UN. In 1999, the male staff accused of harassment was fired by the organization. The offender filed a civil suit in a Pakistani court, which took another two years to be concluded when the UN intervened and pleaded that the multilateral organisation had immunity from legal proceedings in the local courts. The book also reads like a layered novel. There are good colleagues and many silent, detached ones who are not willing to support Fouzia and her colleagues. I enjoyed the existential reveries that liberally appear in the text. While addressing her 'progressive' friends (who did not support her) in Islamabad she writes, "The test of your principled thinking is in your actions and not the fuss you make in seminars...or the tears you shed on the TV. You never tire of giving lectures on accountability and equality, but you never hesitated for a second to play foul, casting all your principles arise to defend your friends, whether right or wrong." Later, the author muses as her food on the table gets cold: "I stopped focusing on those who did not support us because there were many other people who did...I made a big star with French fries and put it in front of me on the table. That was for our families." Having won the battle, she makes another star for her supportive husband Paul and one for a progressive colleague in the UN who helped the women seek justice. Through the narrative, there is an underlying softness, vulnerability as Fouzia handles a tough situation, a nasty battle with powerful forces. At her book launch, on a freezing day of December, Fouzia looked resplendent, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off her shoulders. She emphasized how important it was for families and education system to teach girls about harassment. It was delightful to know that Pakistan's leading poet/writer Fahmida Riaz is translating the book into Urdu. As Fouzia notes in her conclusion, her experiences were not in vain. She explains how through broad-based consultations and support of PPP, ANP and PML-N parliamentarians, the anti-sexual harassment laws were enforced in early 2010. An Ombudsperson to redress complaints was also appointed. The earlier angst of book is somewhat redeemed by the optimism of the later chapters. The book could have been edited a little better but then it is 438 pages of a story that should not be missed. Fouzia documents a parallel history of women's struggles in Pakistan away from seminar halls, farther from textbook riddles and takes action right into the mainstream of Pakistan's reality. Few writers have this advantage; and fewer are bolder in saying it all.