Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari Believes Men Should Not Be Permitted In Public Places

A handful of horrific incidents that specifically targeted women have been surfacing in Pakistan. In the last ten days alone, multiple occurrences of women being harassed were reported. Soon after, prominent personalities and celebrities took to social media to urge the government to implement strict measures against the culprits. 

Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari took to the micro-blogging website, Twitter, to address another unfortunate instance that required attention. She called out the authorities in the country and stated that despite the harrowing experience, the police only stood by and watched, instead of helping the victim. She added that they did not effectively call for backup, nor used their weapons to make a way in the crowd. Taking a jab at the police officials, she said that it is their duty to help people instead of being complicit while a crime is being carried out. 

Bakhtawar went on to suggest that men be banned from entering public places and called for more women to safeguard the rights of women. However, many people opposed her idea of ensuring that single men are not permitted to set foot in public spaces. 

The daughter of the former president, on the other hand, remained steadfast in what she had tweeted. She once again took to the website to write that single men should be escorted by mothers, wives, daughters, or sisters at all times. According to her, perhaps having women by their sides might make men think twice before they assault or harass another woman. 

Bakhtawar believes that this is the right option, given the increasing and repetitive incidents of harassment and assault that have taken over the country. 

Soon after, Alizeh Shah, a Pakistani actress, also took to social media to share her stance on the situation. She wrote that the incident in Lahore is just one example of how the women in this country are constantly under threat and unsafe. She went on to add that women are not safe inside their homes, nor on the streets, nor are they free. 

On the 14th of August, the star of Ehd-e-Wafa had shared a video questioning the entire concept of ‘Yaum-e-Azadi’. She had asked whether the women in Pakistan were actually free, as compared to their male counterparts. 

Her caption included her wondering who she should wish a happy Independence Day too, given that the rapists in the country roam around freely, causing many women in Pakistan to not be permitted to work, step outside the house on their own, or even drive on the highway with their families. She concluded her caption by saying that everyone has the right to freedom, not just men.