The Pakistani Twitter space on feminism that lasted for 12 hours

KARACHI:

In Pakistan, feminism is popularly regarded as unnecessary, a construct of the West which deserves no importance in an ‘Islamic Republic’. While we continue to scratch our heads thinking what is Western about asking for equality of freedom and participation, a recent Twitter space flew this very door wide open.

On late Thursday night, more than 1500 users joined a Twitter space titled Let's Talk About Feminism to pitch in their thoughts on the movement and the recent Minar-e-Pakistan incident. The space hosted by Hanzala Tayyab went on for about a total of twelve hours where several men and women discussed the future and in some cases ‘implications’ of feminism in the country. The discussion was co-hosted for a while by Tuba Aamir, wife of popular TV personality Aamir Liaquat Hussain.

Where the fault lies...

The conversation started off with the recent Minar-e-Pakistan incident. While many rightfully condemned the traumatising occurrence, others shockingly justified it by lamenting how Ayesha Akram was a TikToker, who had invited her fans for a meet and greet.

The criticism was met with serious reservations about victim-blaming and slut-shaming. The Twitterati further divided over the ‘idea’ of feminism in the country and how 'free' Pakistani women really were.

While a Twitter user by the name of Javaid Sheikh spoke about the 'victim card' women have played on several occasions, another user, Nazrana Yousafzai educated him on the ordeals women face frequently under the premise of a misogynistic society and how men really cannot fathom the issues the former face on a daily basis. Soha commented on how men had no right to invalidate a woman's trauma.

The downhill

Tuba managed to moderate the session articulately while holding her own at the same time. However, things took a turn for worse once Tuba left the space and the discussion was largely led by men.

The Pakistani Twitter hit the gold as many went on to narrate the highlights of the debate amid strong victim-blaming and slut-shaming. Feminists, on the other hand, shared their arguments on the rising cases of violence against women in the country. The hosts of the conversation were called out several times by the social media users for leading a session spearheaded by men with problematic takes.

Many alleged the responses by feminists were either shortened or cancelled when they replicated their answers in a similarly, aggressive tone. After a few heated exchanges, a couple of boycotts, one defamation notice and some more victim-shaming, listeners were a little less hopeful for the discussion to be fruitful.

 

And when men did a space on #feminism 😂😂😂 #LetMeSplain pic.twitter.com/JTrT6D3Ulm

— Sherry (@CherieDamour_) August 19, 2021

The hosts tried to look for solutions in the final two hours with one of the suggestions being women move to a new country if they feel Pakistan isn't safe for them anymore.

The solution, much like the space in the end deemed pointless. What the critics failed to understand was how men should come and stand by women as allies to ensure a better and safer space for women, and the need for speedy enforcement of law and order. Another point the anti-feminism speakers failed to comprehend was how society needed to believe victims; the fact that the fault always lies with the perpetrator.

However, there was, as always, a bright side. We saw some of the best Twitter content Pakistanis have shared in months. Here are few best ones:

We chuckled:

when a dude says "meri pyari behn, mein aap ki bohut respect karta hoon..." he's about to unload his power and insecurities.

— HawkesBay (Løuche) (@HawkesBay) August 20, 2021

twitter today pic.twitter.com/9jXZBty4JC

— az (@azanr966) August 20, 2021

woman: men make us feel unsafe
man: why are u in my space then? go make ur own country

— green shirt Maryam (@maryamful) August 20, 2021

Still waiting for solooshun pic.twitter.com/RM6KEF0yRy

— کاظمی (@HaayeShabbir) August 20, 2021

Hanzala ko bolo mujhay mic day

— Waqas (@worqas) August 20, 2021

The very few sane voices:

Dear Pakistanis,
Please remember:
Harassers & rapists give a bad name to Pakistan, not the victims & survivors of harassment.
Direct your anger, resentment, & rage at men who commit violent crimes against women, instead of further traumatising survivors. Work towards reform.

— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) August 20, 2021

Man this space has been a huge reality check in the morning that we as a society indeed have not grown at all and it has nothing to do with parha likha or jahil.

— umair najeeb khan. (@UmairNajeebKhan) August 20, 2021

Where's the lie!

people with jobs bashing people with no jobs for being here: pic.twitter.com/WU3IwWM7Ew

— anastipu (@teepusahab) August 20, 2021

Aap ki qoum ka asal potential Twitter Spaces mein betha howa hai. Idhar bhi nazar saani kerien aur Hanzala ko appreciate kerien. https://t.co/ZuATfvkHae

— Z ə ə K (@InvertedEs) August 20, 2021

This space got us like pic.twitter.com/65gtxHkxAF

— A (@iamlostbabygirl) August 20, 2021

IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR TWITTER

— Raza (@Razza_H) August 20, 2021

Anyone waking up in the morning:

pic.twitter.com/6pkpma2WoV

— Musad Afzal (@MusadAfzal) August 20, 2021

I mean, do you really blame this?

"mujhe Khalil ur Rehman bolna was NOT FUNNY" pic.twitter.com/phWuzwTf0r

— ghina (@unghinatspam) August 20, 2021

"khalil ur rahman bola woh humko" pic.twitter.com/IBTIG8Xfjr

— anastipu (@teepusahab) August 20, 2021

If you know, you know.

"barking dogs seldom bite" pic.twitter.com/W3ASFqubrF

— haider (@hdralt_) August 20, 2021

This is not a word-by-word coverage of the space. If there are any important quotes or moments we missed out please feel free to mention them in the comments section