These past few days have been a fiasco based on the controversy between Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi. Meesha Shafi came out a few days ago on social media and revealed how she had been harassed by Ali Zafar, her former co-worker, on numerous points in life.
The singer/actress was vocal about the experiences she had been through and used the #MeToo movement in relation to what she had been through.
With Ali Zafar sharing how he will take the matters to the court now, there hasn’t been any update recently on what will happen now.
Sharing this because I believe that by speaking out about my own experience of sexual harassment, I will break the culture of silence that permeates through our society. It is not easy to speak out.. but it is harder to stay silent. My conscience will not allow it anymore #MeToo pic.twitter.com/iwex7e1NLZ
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) April 19, 2018
While Women Shy Away from Coming Forward and Speaking on the #MeToo Movement, UN Pakistan Just Acknowledged their Efforts and Contributions and Urged That They Will Fully Participate In It
In a statement they made on social media, here’s what it reads:
Statement from Purna Sen, Executive Coordinator and Spokesperson on Sexual Harassment and other forms of Discrimination, UN Women Headquarters; Jamshed Kazi, UN Women Country Representative, Pakistan and Neil Buhne, UN Resident Coordinator, Pakistan:
As the courage of #MeToo speakers across the world forces a reconsideration of how violence against women is managed and ended, we express our solidarity with victims and with the pressure for change. This is as urgent in Pakistan as it is in the rest of the world.
For far too long, there has been denial and minimisation of sexual abuse as well as abhorrent consequences for victims who dare to name their experiences. Legal actions, humiliation and loss of employment have followed for those who have spoken. These are gendered experiences: the majority of perpetrators are men and the majority of victims are women – a reflection of how power is distributed at home and in the world. Women from marginalised groups, including rural women and those with disabilities find particular challenges in having their experiences and voices heard.
There is a commitment, agreed by all states, to end violence against women by 2030. It is only right that we imagine and create a world free of violence and this will mean we all must be part of the effort. It will require belief as a starting point, enabling victims to name what has happened to them without blame, stigmatisation or humiliation. It will require cultures in all workplaces- whether public, private sector, civil society organizations, media and international organizations to practice zero tolerance regarding violence or harassment of any kind.
There must be consequences for those who choose to abuse and not to comply. It cannot continue that sexually abusive behaviour is considered an inevitable part of women’s lives, something to be endured by staff no matter the personal cost to them. It will require men to step up and raise their voices against sexual abuse – examining their own behaviour, challenging abusers and supporting victims. Their own actions that constitute abuse can range from words to actions that express gender inequality and the view that women are sexually available to them.
In Pakistan, women have long called attention to the variety and extent of violence – from crimes of ‘honour’ to laws on rape to ending child marriage and the prevalence of domestic violence. We acknowledge a series of progressive legislation enacted over the past few years at both the federal and provincial levels which include greater protection of women, in line with Pakistan’s international commitments. Among others, this includes the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010 and relevant sections of Pakistan’s amended Penal Code where greater emphasis needs to be made on continued implementation and enforcement nationwide. Recent efforts have also strengthened the law against ‘honour’ killings and rape.
We welcome these changes and provide our reassurance to the victims/survivors of our support for their pursuit of justice. All violence at work must be similarly seen as unlawful yet we must go beyond law to change cultures that blame women for actions done to them, that excuse men for their abuse. This is what will challenge and undo systems of gender inequality.
With decades of work and considerable expertise in addressing violence against women, UN Women will continue to support and advise on ways to make lasting change. We as the United Nations, know that it is incumbent upon us too to clean our own house. This significant task is in our sights.
https://twitter.com/unwomen_pak/status/992425308195258370
We say to the women who are speaking up: we hear you, we are with you.
Since Meesha Shafi Now Relates to the Movement, She Thanked the UN Pakistan for Their Words and Dedication!
Thank you @unwomen_pak
Your strong statement of support means the world to me and all the other women finding their voice to stand up and speak up. Indeed #TimesUp https://t.co/GNv7pM6OAA— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) May 4, 2018
We hope that the #MeToo movement will be as effective as it is in the West because it does happen everywhere, but in Pakistan, people rarely believe the victim.
