Ayesha Omar, a prominent figure in Pakistani entertainment, has opened up about a pressing issue that resonates with numerous women in the country—the scarcity of secure public spaces.
In a frank conversation on the Adnan Faisal Podcast, Omar passionately shared her insights on the hurdles women encounter in Pakistan, shedding light on the prevalent problems of harassment and the constant apprehension that shadows their daily lives.
Throughout the podcast, the actress voiced deep concerns about the absence of safe public spaces for women in Pakistan. She underscored the pervasive problem of women feeling unsafe on the streets, emphasizing that even simple activities like going to a park can be tainted by fears of harassment and stalking.
“I don’t feel safe here,” remarked Omar. “I want to be able to walk on the road.” She added, “It’s a basic human need to be able to walk outside in the open air. All these women in your office, can you guys walk on the street?” With the off-camera answer presumably being in the negative, the actor continued, “Isn’t that sad? I don’t want to sit in a car. I want to cycle. Why can’t I ride a bike?”
Omar also illuminated the distinct challenges faced by women in Pakistan, emphasizing that men may never fully grasp the perpetual fear and anxiety that women contend with daily. “Men can never understand what Pakistani women grow up with,” she asserted. “As much as you try, you cannot. Because that fear that a woman has in this country – sure, he who has daughters may understand.” She continued, “Being in a woman’s shoes and understanding that is impossible. You’re anxious every second.”
Expressing her heartfelt desire for a time when women can move freely in their own country without the looming fears of kidnapping, rape, or mugging, Omar stressed that freedom and safety are basic human needs. “When will the time come when I can roam freely in my country?” she questioned. “Without the fear of being kidnapped, without the fear of being raped, without the fear of being mugged. It’s a basic human need. Freedom and safety.”
While acknowledging the existence of crime in every country, Omar pleaded for a transformation in societal attitudes, advocating for the establishment of an environment where people, especially women, can walk on the road without fear. She drew attention to the distressing reality that women often face when attempting to enjoy public spaces, recounting experiences of being followed, catcalled, and subjected to harassment.
The star remarked, “There is crime in every country in the world. But people can, at least, walk on the road.” Towards the end, with a sense of resignation creeping in, she added, “You can’t even go to the park without ten people following you or catcalling you. They say weird things, they try to touch you. What do you do? What do you do?”
