Adding her contribution to the #MeToo movement in Pakistan, Armeena Khan on Saturday shared an incident on Twitter, recalling how she was sexually harassed in Lahore’s Anarkali Market while wearing a burka.
She tweeted, “I was in #Anarkali in Lahore in a burka (nobody knew who I was). I literally had my backside groped and breasts grabbed. NOT by one guy but by 2. Now, my family saw that and I asked them why? I was told it was a really common thing there. Did I deserve that? #Metoo #Horrified.”
I was in #Anarkali in Lahore in a burka (nobody knew who I was). I literally had my backside groped and breasts grabbed. NOT by one guy but by 2. Now, my family saw that and I asked them why? I was told it was a really common thing there. Did I deserve that? #Metoo #Horrified
— Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) April 21, 2018
Calling sexual harassment a huge issue in the country, she requested her fans to stop restricting the story to her. Armeena faced backlash on social media after sharing her story which made her say, “I didn’t share my story so you can hurl abuse me. Just stop it now!”
Listen, don’t make this about me. Sexual harassment is a HUGE problem and is much bigger than me. People get raped and killed. The sooner you guys accept that it is there, the sooner you can resolve the issues. I didn’t share my story so you can hurl abuse me. Just stop it now!
— Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) April 21, 2018
The Pakistani TV and film star called the campaign an opportunity for women who remained silent when subjected to harassment. “How many regular women here have been wolf whistled/cat called at? Groped and touched inappropriately in crowded markets? Many won’t come forward because of shame. But this as an opportunity to come forward. This is about you now!” she added.
How many regular women here have been wolf whistled/cat called at? Groped and touched inappropriately in crowded markets? Many won’t come forward because of shame. But this as an opportunity to come forward. This is about you now!
— Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) April 21, 2018
She also commented on the victim’s right to seek justice. She said, “Abuse is abuse, the victim has the right to seek justice when they are ready. Please internalise this. Also, clothing and professional has nothing to do it. If dressing made a difference then little girls (who aren’t even developed yet) wouldn’t get raped and killed.”
The Janaan actor explained that she shared her experience from a regular girls’ point of view. She concluded, “Anyway, I’m done. I didn’t share my story for sympathy or judgement. I shared my experience from a regular girls point of view, so others can also speak up. The world is changing, all the misogynists on here – your time is up. #timesup.”
Anyway, I’m done. I didn’t share my story for sympathy or judgement. I shared my experience from a regular girls point of view, so others can also speak up. The world is changing, all the misogynists on here – your time is up. #timesup
— Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) April 21, 2018
The #MeToo movement grabbed paced in Pakistan when on April 19, Meesha Shafi posted a lengthy message on Twitter, accusing Ali Zafar of physically harassing her on multiple occasions. “This happened to me despite the fact I am an empowered, accomplished woman who is known for speaking her mind!” read the statement.
Zafar denied the accusations and has announced that he will pursue legal action against the actress. “I intend to take this through the courts of law, and to address this professionally and seriously rather than to lodge any accusations here,” he wrote on Twitter.