Don't tell me what to wear, says Faiza Gillani

As Aurat March has proved, few social movements in the country have proven to be more divisive than feminism. In a recent appearance on Iffat Omar's podcast, actor Faiza Gillani dished out her take on what feminism should really be about, despite not having personally taken part in Aurat March.

"The people waving the flag of feminism and the people who are speaking against them are at two ends of the extreme," said the Serial Killer actor. "The people who are trying to raise a voice for women have no idea what is happening to women who are suffering. They [activists] have a comfortable lifestyle, but they cannot understand the depth of the problems being faced by the majority of women they are speaking up for."

Faiza maintained that she is a "very big feminist" but stressed that a change in the narrative is imperative. "We need to address the things that are being faced by the majority," she stated. "There are women who are being physically abused, being discriminated against, they are being denied an education, they are being blackmailed. These are the issues that need to be addressed."

According to the actor, the crux of feminism is for a woman to make her own choices without facing judgment, whether it is with her clothing or something greater. "If I want to take a dupatta, that is my choice," she pointed out, dismissing the notion that dressing conservatively equates to being oppressed. "If I wear jeans, that is also my choice. If I want a niqab, that is my choice. Please don't tell me how to live my life. And please don't tell me who to love and who to hate. That comes from my side."

Gillani made her television debut in 1996 with the drama Ranjish. After securing a string of television roles, she made her film debut with Lal Kabootar (2019). Gillani was most recently seen in Pagal Khana and Barzakh.