Pakistan: Many recent cases of violence against women were criticized by veteran Pakistani actress Bushra Ansari who blamed parents for such acts.
As the cases of domestic violence continue to rise in Pakistan – anchored by recent high-profile cases such as that of the news anchor Ayesha Jahanzeb – Bushra Ansari took to her YouTube channel to condemn the physical and psychological torture of women.
During her passionate speech, Ansari highlighted the need for women to attain skills to fend for themselves in current society without having to rely on other people during hardships.
She pointed to other incidents of violence involving other celebrities including Ayesha Jahanzeb and Sania Zehra who was killed by her husband in Punjab due to severe spousal abuse. To prevent further abuse, Ansari encouraged women who experience mistreatment to quit relationships that are abusive to protect their lives.
Emphasizing parental responsibility, he spoke against parents who ignore their daughters’ suffering at the hands of their husbands, thus worsening the situation. She argued that parents are equally to blame for the subjugation of their daughters, especially when one notices the signs of abuse.
Ansari added that parents should not hesitate to act at any time if there is abuse on their daughter’s side and take her back home at any cost as she should be safe first and foremost.
In her message to women, Ansari urged the female gender to be educated and financially stable to ensure that they do not suffer through domestic violence after marriage. She encouraged women to fear only Allah and act to guard their lives and their honor.
However, while calling for couples to salvage their marriages whenever possible, Ansari highlighted the importance of financial independence in enabling women to exercise agency over their lives.
Finally, Ansari raised his voice against parents who do not care about their daughter’s lives and need society to change and save women from domestic violence.
