In 2002, Mukthtaran Mai made international headlines after surviving a gang rape, an act imposed by her village elite as honour revenge. In her fight back against the perpetrators, she was hailed as an advocator for women's rights by the Western media. Underlying these reports however, is an omission of important elements of the context that shapes the story. We speak to an academic and analyse how the Western media utilizes select Muslim women for a darker imperialist agenda.

We recommend The Week in Review's Unveiling Iran episode as complimentary listening.

This is a report by Aziff Azuddin.

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Tags:  islam,  pakistan,  women,  west,  new york times,  women's rights