I need a contact address or phone number for the writer of Taboo - Fouzia Saeed.
If anyone knows of organizations or NGO’s in Lahore who work with prostitutes, can you please list them here?
Thanks.
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Anyone?
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Dance with the devil the devil don't change the devil changes you.
Try Aurat Foundation.
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PM Madhanee, I think he knew Fouzia Saeed.
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By the way, has anyone read the book? What do you think of it? My initial reactions were very negative. I found her writing style lacking, the pictures in the book unprofessional and grainy, her sketch of the characters incomplete, i.e. not really going into their personality. I didn't feel anything for the individuals she met although she wanted the reader to "get to know them". And I didn't find it all that scientific either, there was no explanation about what measures she took to make sure her information was accurate and if she didn't take notes during the interviews, did she remember from memory later on etc. She left many many things out and some important ones she barely discussed; diseases, what NGO's and other organizations are doing for the area, mental health, etc.
As I got into the book, I found it unique and interesting however, read very much like a story book and pulled the reader in. However, it could have benefited from thorough editing not for grammatical mistakes but for lack of content, depth of content. A unique approach to the topic but could have been truly groundbreaking had she done more research, given solutions, went into more detail. etc.
Are there any other books on the area (in English?)
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Yes I've read it. I don't think there are other book on same subject, with same kind of re-search at least.
I loved the book, didn't pay much attention to her writing style as the subject it self was very strong. I felt strongly for the females, especially for the two young girls. I think I still remember all females she wrote about. I like the page about Muda Kanjar (that was his name, right?).
I don't think she wanted to discuss politics, hence she left out NGOs etc, and she didn't want us to feel sorry for them, which is why, I think she didn't talk about diseases etc. NGOs and diseases are subjects on their own. The book could easily shift focus towards aids etc. I think she balanced it quite well, especially, since she managed to keep emotions out of this, no where does she openly insult one party or the other.
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Saba, I enjoyed the book as well and the stories about the girls were quite compelling and sad. No, I don't think she meant us to feel sorry for them but she wanted us to see them as people because most tend to dismiss prostitutes and that community as bad and less than human. Immorality becomes a taint they carry even when they are dancing and singing, not just sex and that's political (at one point the government banned hiring of girls from that area for commercial entertainment purposes, leading them to focus on sex more). FZ was quite political in the book. She brought up the point often that 11 pm to 1 pm was too short a window to practice the traditional craft of the Kanjars and that emphasis was shifting to sex and prostitution while classical training and singing and dancing abilities were on a sharp decline. It came up again and again implictly in the book that because of the government's policies, prostitution was on the rise and other Kanjar activities were on the decline.
It was a good book but she offered no solutions, no suggestion for avenues for future research, no policy changes that might eradicate prostitution while encouraging singing and dancing and music. She is a women's rights activist (and that necessitates at least some discussion of diseases, mental health, drug addiction, what organizations are doing in the area), it seemed to me that she meant it to be a book to guide policy change eventually. And there was no adequate conclusion to the book. I was very disappointed about how it ended.
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I tried to buy it once, but I knew I’d get a lecture from my mom. She gets overly suspicious of me - I guess she knows the sex drive is high.
I figured, I’d go back to the store myself one day and buy the book with my own money - never got a chance.
Maybe next time I’m in Pakistan and the relatives are not on my tail.
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PCG, I guess parents don't want their kids exposed to the "bad".
There is a bibliography at the back of the book, I can copy parts of it down here if anyone is interested in more lit. in the area.
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I really liked the book. The conclusion was very powerful. Dr Saeed does not deny that prostitution is a bad thing, but makes some very sharp criticisms of the way that the govt has tried to fight it by cracking down only on the prostitutes rather than also focusing on the men who use prostitutes.
She points out a basic economic principle. As long as there is demand, there will always be supply.
PCG, I think you’re a wuss for not even trying 
. When I was 18, I picked the book off the shelf in a store in Karachi, marched up to my dad and asked him to buy it for me as a gift.
Of course, he said no and that I was too young to be concerned with it. He ended up buying it 2 years later so I did took it from his bookshelf and read it then.
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wuss?
My cousins think I’m a lesbian and my mom thinks I’m too horny for my own good. I dont wish to cause anymore ruckus whilst my last visit to Pakistan
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Sarah by political I meant that she doesn't mention which government is working for betterment of those females etc. Things that directly influence the day to day lives of the muhala needed to be mentioned, imo. Why this business is spread all over the cities in Pak instead of being limited in smaller areas was also important to be mentioned.
I wasn't expecting any mention of diseases in the book and I didn't miss that information either. Prior to reading the book, the entire set-up was inspired by Indian movies in my mind, to learn that some females don't want to do anything else or how they too deserve to be respected, is the lesson I learnt. At first I too was disappointed about the end, because I was hoping her to save some of the females. But if her writing a simple book had such severe consequences, one can only imagine Dr. Saeeds position had she chosen to rescue them too. I think the book touches many cultural aspects worth discussing.
PCG, it very 'clean' book. She doesn't write about 'sex' nor is it the focal point of her book. Its the culture and mind-set. You'll be surprised to see how she manages to write about sex-industry without any details (direct or indirect). Its a must read.
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hey is this book available in pakistan only or can i buy it here in the UK. let me know cos i'd like to read this book.
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^ try amazon..if not..try http://www.desistore.com
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I have been long wanting to read this book. Is it really good or just another average book on this topic?
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This is not going to help but i happneed to have sat next to fouzia saeed on PIA flight in the fall, had her card...and threw it out few months ago.
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Amelie, what is she like? I wonder if she still works at Lok Virsa. If so, it shoudn't be too hard contacting her.
Sadiyah, it depends what perspective you look at it from. If you want a proper scientific and ethnographic analysis of the area, this book doesn't cut it. If you want to merely learn a little about it and want an alternative, very neutral viewpoint, perfect, go for it, you'll be pleased.
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She was nice. We chatted bout public health work in Pakistan.
At the time, she was going back and forth from Karachi to ISL for health visits...I think she was planning to leave the agency she was currently with too.