Time for women to define our own narrative: Mehwish Hayat

For the last week, at least six cases of gender-based violence have made headlines in the country. One of the most high-profile murder cases in Pakistan, the horrific killing of 27-year-old Noor Mukaddam has enraged the public, with citizens across the country calling for a better course of action for crimes against women. In the last few days, netizens on social media have been creating different hashtags, demanding justice for the women who have been wronged by society.

Popular actor Mehwish Hayat has now taken to Twitter and shared that she wants to see action taken against such crimes instead of slogans and hashtags making the rounds. "Time for hashtags and slogans is over, we demand to know what the government is going to do about changing the system. Sexual and gender violence and other forms of discrimination cannot be eliminated in a society without society changing itself," the Load Wedding star penned.

She added, "Time for women to define our own narrative. We will not be bullied into silence. We will accept no one’s definition of our life, 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."

Hayat went on to add that the laws against women abuse are there but the implementation of those laws is imperative.

"Laws are there - we need to make the enforcement of them more rigorous and less traumatic for the victim. The judicial process in our country is so daunting, ineffective and outdated," the Actor in Law star continued.

"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."

Zara Noor Abbas made it a point to call out predators within close circles as well. "Predators are roaming around here and there. They don't necessarily have a gun or a knife," the Phaans star penned on Instagram.

She further shared how such predators can attack you emotionally, not just physically.

"They prey on you through emotions as well. To use you, to mentally torture you. Don't let that go by either. They can be anywhere; your workplace, your family friends, your friends of friends. Speak up about that as well. Even the ones who bullied you at school/work and still do. They're all predators."

However, Armeena Rana Khan has commented on how some people use social media causes and movements for their own gain. "I have always been a fierce supporter of women's rights everywhere (being a feminist), I have read around the subject extensively, understood the struggles of my gender to give birth to equality, internalising what it truly means," the Bin Roye star opined.

"My body of work speaks for itself as I work around many causes and passionately believe in what I write, sometimes to the detriment of my own career. You guys know me and you also know that I am fair, I don't take bullying sitting down, never have and never will."

Without naming anyone, she added, "Feminism is one thing but abuse, direct or implied is another. I will not stand people using important movements to settle personal scores. It sets me on fire, for the damage to the real victims is irreversible. Please approach internet kacheris (court) with great caution."

Previously, many actors took to social media and condemned the ongoing 'femicide' in the country. One of the celebs, Sajal Aly, too, took to her Instagram stories to reshare posts relating to the issue at hand.

Aly posted a video of Mukaddam’s father addressing the media, writing, “It’s a shame that no woman is safe in this country.” The actor also shared a screenshot of the Wikipedia article on domestic violence in Pakistan, as well as a post by the account Brown Feminist which said, “When you reject the [domestic violence] bill, the culprits of these crimes are exactly the kind of people you protect.” The note went on to state, “Anyone who continues to be silent is still protecting those people.”

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