Smashing misogyny and misandry in one sweep

The HeForShe campaign aims to promote gender equality

KARACHI: "He brushed past me once on the street in Saddar, in a way that his hand touched my genitals. I thought it was nothing. But when he started following me and came after me the second time, I knew there was something wrong. I had police, traffic police, private security people in front of me but I couldn't ask any of them to help me. So, the third time when he came after me, I sat in a rickshaw and fled. That night when I was going to sleep, I had fear on my mind, thinking what will I do if he follows me to my house". This is not a story of a woman. This is the story of a man.

Awais Khalid, an 18-year-old student, shared his story at the community meeting of the HeforShe campaign, Pakistan. "There is no bigger crime than making someone feel unsafe," said Khalid. The campaign was started by a group of young professionals, students and activists who are volunteering their time and effort in collaboration with UN Women. It was an unusual sight for a country like Pakistan, men speaking of their helplessness while being harassed in public.



Naseer Ahmed, a student in the audience, also shared his story of being harassed on a public bus by a man who held a tasbeeh in his hand. "At first, I couldn't believe that he was winking at me, but when he started offering me money and being sleazy, I knew I was being harassed. I couldn't believe it because the man was old and looked very religious," related Ahmed.

The HeForShe initiative aims to bring society together to collectively struggle to eliminate gender inequality — a phenomenon that has been gravely misunderstood by the public.

"This is not just a women's issue. It's also a men's issue. In fact, it is a human issue, as the campaign says. Both genders need to support and stand up for each other when they see the other gender being treated unfairly," explained Noman Quadri, an accountant, law student and core member of the campaign.

"The reason why this problem has spread like a virus is because it has been suppressed so much," said Khalid. "Women and men need to support each other. It's not just about one gender. It's about gender equality," he claimed. The campaign aims to give both genders a space where they can express themselves emotionally.

The meeting aimed at pushing young students to change their attitude about gender equality. The initiative in Pakistan has invited all like-minded people to join hands and make efforts collectively using creative tools and out of the box ideas.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2015.