her life to this cause, but she believes that her life is not over; in fact, it is just beginning. Usually we in Pakistan expect the rich to champion the cause of the poor, we expect men to champion the cause of women, and adults to champion the cause of children. Mukhtar Mai is bucking the trend by being a woman who is ready to champion herself. She ranks up among other women like Mother Theresa and Aung Sang Suu Kyi, Rosa Parks, and even Joan of Arc, women of conscience with an extreme sensibility for a type of justice that is painted in black and white, with no shades of gray.
      Instead of doubting her motives and causing her more pain, it is incumbent upon Pakistanis of every age, gender, and social class to take her to our hearts and defend her with our lives. We could not protect her from the savage attack, which was enacted in order to restore the honor of the Mastoi tribe. Instead, it was an attack which took away the honor of every Pakistani. None of us should be able to rest until we restore it to ourselves by restoring it to Mukhtar Mai. Only then will any of us be able to hold our heads up to the rest of the world, to our future generations, and to ourselves.