We are 2000 years behind'

Maria Wasti talks women's rights, education

Maria Wasti is an actor brimming with opinions, and as an empowered woman, she is not shy about voicing any of them. In her typical no-nonsense approach during a recent appearance on the FHM Pakistan podcast, the Cheekh actor gave her unapologetic stance on women's rights and the state of education in Pakistan.

"So many women have no say over when they have a child or anything to do with their own health," lamented Maria. "Women have no autonomy over their body and mind. Anything that is considered taboo is brushed under the carpet, but the thing is, when we don't discuss these things, we are trampling over people's rights."

According to Maria, the root of the problem lies in how the questions of children are overlooked from a young age. "We are discouraged from asking questions from a young age, even in our education system," she pointed out. "Children are supposed to ask questions, and we are trained not to do so. Elders always insist that they are correct, because that is how they were raised."

Maria noted that this vicious cycle of demanding blind obedience is unsustainable for social progress and awareness. "We are never taught to communicate properly, not even in a husband-wife relationship," she rued. "We are never taught step by step to resolve a problem. We are taught to behave like machines, and I think we are 1500 to 2000 years behind where we should be socially. We are constantly being dumbed down."

Maria added that people are free to break the cycle if they choose, but more often than not, they choose not to. "Once you are an adult, you can take your decision," she stressed. "But if you want to dumb yourself down, that is also your decision."

In this spirit of asking questions and embracing knowledge, Maria pointed to yet another dismaying trend: where women continue to remain in the dark about their own rights, as laid out by both the law of the state and by religion, despite the 'mera jism meri marzi' movement. In Maria's eyes, the blame lies as much with overarching apathy as it does on patriarchy.

"People do not even try to learn their rights," said Maria. "They don't read their nikahnama. We don't see the rights given to us by our religion. If you have a thirst for knowledge, you'll know. But if not, then you won't."

Maria's message is clear: unless you rise to claim agency, your rights will continue to elude you.