‘Men should step up’: Ayesha Omar, Aliya Ali speak out on women’s safety

Actors call for stronger laws, accountability and safer spaces for women

Actors Aliya Ali and Ayesha Omar have called for stronger legal protections, greater accountability, and collective action to ensure women’s safety and rights, sharing their views during an event in London.

While discussing how men perceive the notion of women not feeling safe around them, Omar said that if the roles were reversed and men felt unsafe around women, women would feel deeply ashamed of their actions.

“We will feel terrible about it,” she said, adding, “Men should sit together and really think about it. If your daughter doesn’t feel safe, if my sister doesn’t feel safe, then what could be done to create a safe place for them?”

She further said, “It’s about time men step up and figure out a safe place for women,” adding that men should speak up for women’s safety. Omar also spoke about finding acting as her purpose and said that working in films that signify female empowerment is, for her, the next step in paving the way for the future.

 

 

 

 

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Talking about the difficulties faced by women in everyday life, whether they are working women or homemakers, Aliya said that “until the system is strong enough, no change can occur for women’s rights.”

She further elaborated, saying, “If there is no law and order in place, enforcing punishment with force, the system will stay the same.”

 

 

 

 

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Adding to this, she said that while many love marriages are taking place, in instances where a woman does not agree to a marriage proposal, her refusal should be respected rather than being met with threats of violence or death.

Through their remarks, both Ali and Omar highlighted the need for stronger legal protections, greater accountability, and a collective effort to create a safer environment where women’s choices, dignity, and rights are respected.

 

 

 

 

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The discussion followed an event in London where Ali, well known for her work in Maann Aangan, performed a traditional dance routine on stage.

 

 

 

 

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A video of the performance later surfaced online and attracted criticism from some social media users.

The post received mocking comments, with some users suggesting that everyone should close their eyes while watching it.

Some users compared her moves to those of children in a school play, while others asked people to turn their faces away from the performance.

 

 

 

 

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The conversation, however, eventually moved beyond criticism of Aliya’s performance and shifted towards broader social concerns discussed by both actors during the event.