Life & Style

Real feminists don't waste time shouting for their rights: Quratulain Baloch

The singer has clearly disappointed her fans

Asfa Sultan March 05, 2020

KARACHI: The nature of criticism the Aurat March has attracted recently is precisely the reason why such a movement is necessary. Despite the country having it's fair share of women-centric issues such as rape, harassment, honour killing, and slut-shamming, for some reason women marching to highlight them has become a cause of concern for the public.

Suffice to say, women continue to be victimised while their march against atrocity continues to be looked upon as an act of entitlement, rather than a need.

While the men continue their restless bashing of the movement - perhaps due to the fear of their privilege being compromised - what is surprising are the supposedly educated women joining the crusade against feminism.

Such is the case with Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch, popularly known as 'QB,' who became every girl's icon when she first appeared on Coke Studio, among the many men who were already provided that platform. In a recent and heartbreaking tweet, Balouch said, "Real feminist gets down to work and wastes no time shouting for her 'rights'."

https://twitter.com/Quratulainb/status/1235287067715870723

Naturally, the uncalled for generalisation in her comment attracted the ire of Twitter.

https://twitter.com/nosheenali/status/1235475131008348166

https://twitter.com/RwailSirmed/status/1235326998609899525

Yeah but they're not allowed to work, so...
— M.A (@MMusingsbym) March 4, 2020

Well that’s disappointing!
— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) March 5, 2020

So much wrong with this - where do I even begin? Your success is built upon a foundation of rights that women before you struggled for. Your success is because of the women who shouted for their rights which are now yours.
— Naveen Rizvi (@naveenfrizvi) March 4, 2020

okay so get down to work? get off twitter howboutdah
— girl (@sooploops) March 4, 2020

Wonder who was shouting for the rights you enjoy today
— sana naqvi (@sanabnaqvi) March 4, 2020

The statement is clearly coming from a person who was provided the platform to showcase her work. It is coming from someone who worked hard, but failed to understand the reasons why others could not - even if they wanted to. It is coming from a person who was probably 'allowed' to work in the first place, or could fight for her right to work without the threat of being killed in the process. Or maybe even a person who may have not required an 'allowance' in the first place.

In a country where girls are held back from going to school because their parents could 'only afford to send the boys'. In a country where women are killed for not being able to make gol roti or fail to provide a hot meal once in a while. In a country where women are not paid as much as their male colleagues no matter how hard they work.

In a country where women are slammed for doing a job that 'only a man is supposed to do'. In a country where women are harassed in work places, demanded to provide sexual favours in return for promotions. And sometimes, even provided jobs based on their appearance.

In a country where parents would prefer spending millions on their daughter's weddings than save for their higher education - how does one simply belittle them for marching for their rights once in a year and call it, 'wasting time'?

Only QB can tell.

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COMMENTS (2)

tariq | 4 years ago | Reply It is no doubt true that instead of shouting controversial slogans which created further rift between two genders in society, the existing laws should be implemented with full spirit. The poor females in rural areas deserve more attention than the urban population where in reality their privilege is compromised. Quick and free justice should be provided to the affected community to eliminate such social crimes.

AM | 4 years ago | Reply How many talented and hardworking females are simply not allowed to leave their houses, alone. How many of them are looked down upon by fellow members of the society (both male and female), when they try to do something, which is not according to someone else's moral values. How many of them are told that the only job options they have is a doctor,a teacher or a lawyer. How many of them are not allowed to study beyond matric or intermediate (I have my neighbors and also had a class fellow in 10th grade, whom had to discontinue their education because of parental pressure. All of them are extremely bright and intelligent). We must develop empathy and understanding for everyone. When a gas is trapped inside a close container, and the volume of the container is slowly decreasing...there will be an explosion and that is what has happened here.

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