‘A divorced daughter is better than a dead daughter,’ Zoha Tauqeer says

Actor Zoha Tauqeer has spoken out against domestic violence, urging women in abusive marriages to prioritise their safety over societal expectations and challenging stereotypes about emotional control.

In a recent Instagram post, Tauqeer questioned the common assumption that women are less able to control their emotions, pointing instead to reports of violent behaviour involving men. She highlighted the contradiction between such incidents and the stereotypes often directed at women.

“People say women can’t control their emotions and somehow everytime I open the news, it's about some guy who lost their temper and did something. This is far beyond men and women,” she said.

Tauqeer stressed that violence should not be viewed solely through the lens of gender, describing it as a wider social problem that demands serious attention.

Screengrab: zohatauqeerofficial/Instagram

The actor also expressed concern over reports of rape and other forms of violence, turning her attention to women who may be living in abusive marriages.

She urged them not to remain in dangerous situations because of family expectations or fear of social judgement, emphasising that personal safety should take precedence over preserving a marriage at any cost.

“The rising cases of rape and violence are deeply disturbing if you’re in a violent marriage. I urge you to leave. A divorced daughter is much better than a dead daughter,” she wrote.

Tauqeer has previously spoken openly about personal struggles, including her father’s death and her mother’s decision to remarry, in an interview with The Express Tribune.

Her latest post adds to the wider conversation about domestic violence, gender stereotypes and the social pressures that can prevent victims from seeking safety. By urging women to leave abusive relationships, Tauqeer challenged the stigma surrounding divorce and underscored the importance of protecting lives over meeting societal expectations.

On the professional front, Tauqeer is known for her roles in drama serials Zabt and Kaisa Yeh Ishq.