July 2021 can pass as a very depressing month as a number of horrifying acts of violence against women made it to the headlines. Quratulain, Noor Mukaddum and many more cases of violence against women have shocked the nation. Many artists have stood up and voiced their concerns on the growing rate of sexual violence against women and Mehwish Hayat is the most recent one who has called for an action against women’s oppression in Pakistan.
She took to Instagram and posted a series of Stories to send out a message to her followers and the authorities.
“Time for hashtags and slogans is over. We demand to know what the government is going to do to change the system,” she wrote, adding, “Sexual and gender violence, and other forms of discrimination in a society cannot be eliminated without changing society itself!”
Mehwish emphasized on the role of men to change the narrative as well.
“Time for women to define our own narrative. We will not be bullied into silence. We will accept no one’s definition of our lives, but our own. But men also have an important role to play in sending out the message that real men do not hurt or abuse their partners.”
The actor highlighted how loopholes in our laws can make the victim or her family’s life more miserable.
“Laws are there, but we need to make the enforcement rigorous and less traumatic for the victim. The judicial process in our country is so daunting, ineffective and outdated.”
Read: Mehwish Hayat wants to become the next female prime minister of Pakistan
Mehwish concluded that safety of life is a basic human right which women are deprived of in our country.
“Everyone has the basic human right to live in safety, free from violence and abuse. No one should live in fear. It is simply not acceptable and cannot be ignored anymore. Apathy is not an option. Action has to be taken now! Before another victim becomes a hashtag.”
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