KARACHI:
In Pakistani cinema, particularly drama serials, the female characters are depicted in a two-dimensional manner wherein they are either innocent or cunning. The protagonists are usually naive women who are faced with a threat from another woman. Other commonly used tropes include an unempowered female protagonist suffering from domestic violence by her husband or in-laws. There are rarely any strong female characters and even the ones that are seemingly empowered are usually somehow vilified by the end of the drama.
The reductionist portrayal of women has created unrealistic standards and is normalising domestic violence. In most dramas, women continue suffering abuse until their husband magically changes one day. But this does not happen in real life. Female characters are also constantly objectified. They lack feelings and emotions and only exist for the male gaze.
The misrepresentation of women in dramas has created a false sense that most women’s ultimate goal is marriage. Women who wear traditional clothes are pious and cultural whilst those who deviate from these norms are immoral. Instead of empowering women and dismantling misogynist and patriarchal ideals, our television dramas are further strengthening them. It is about time producers and scriptwriters change the narrative and begin catering to the majority of their audience, which is women.
Umama Izhar
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2022.
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