ISLAMABAD – Momina Mustehsan has revealed that “I too have been a subjectof harassment, and this issue is bigger than just Ali Zafar.”
She continues: “This is about the relationship of trust that men take forgranted with women. Very often, as we can see, women are violated by thevery men they know, trust and often work with. Though harassment does notmean rape, it takes a lot to gather the courage to come out and say this,and it is my fervent hope that people will see that saying this is verydifficult for any woman.”
Addressing the victim-shaming that other women on social media have faced,she says: “I personally stand to lose much more than I will ever gain, BUTthis cause is greater than any one man or woman. It’s about humanity anddignity, about equality and honor. I pray that people will stand by womenwho have been violated and victimized.”
“I have been reading one question frequently “why wait so long beforesaying anything?” and the answer to that is, It’s because rather than shamethe perpetrator, society at large tends to shame the victim. There is alsoimmense social pressure to “not say anything”, and keep matters like thisprivate because some people may immediately question the woman’s character,for their own defense, and drag women through courts and humiliate them,knowing fully well that it is impossible to prove cases of physicalharassment, hence forcing some women to eventually have no option but topull back their cases. This affects families, lives, careers, all of it.”
“The question that you must ask, is “despite all of the above, why would awoman stand up and say such a thing? After all, it will only harm her.”There’s your answer. We are speaking because we have no choice. We don’thave anyone else to speak for us. I ask you to please think of it from ourpoint of view. Place yourself or someone from your family in our positionsfor a moment, and you will immediately know what we are feeling, and havebeen feeling, for years. In all humility, I BEG all of you to please becomeour support system. Help us rise.”
“I stand by all the women who have had to deal with inappropriate behaviorof any sort. It’s time Pakistani women are able to stand up and hold theiroppressors accountable, no matter how strong or influential they are. Don’tbe scared. They are strong because we are weak – lets change that. Speakup, stand up. Call a spade a spade. And it’s definitely time Pakistani menstood up for our women.”
“I hope all the men reading this agree that harassment of any form is NOTOKAY.”