The vicious murder and rape of seven years old Zainab Amin from Kasur, has shaken Pakistani society to its core. It has been almost a week since the gruesome incident of child abuse took place, but it is still making headlines on social media and news channels. Unfortunately, law enforcement institutes have failed to arrest the criminals despite such a clamor on behalf of the public.
The issue of Zainab has called for grave concerns for being much dangerous. It has provoked discussions by giving rise to the debate on who is responsible for controlling such heinous crimes against the innocent souls.
Pakistani Celebs Share Memories of Child Abuse
Recently, Pakistani showbiz celebs have shared the painful memories of child abuse. Famous actress, drama writer, anchorperson and a social activist Nadia Jamil talked about how she became a victim of child abuse at the age of four years by her driver and a Maulvi. In a series of tweets, she not only spoke about her past suffering but also elaborated the reason for talking.
I was 4 the first time I was abused sexually. I was in college when it blew out of proportion.
People tell me not to talk to respect my families honour. Is my families honour packed in my body? I am a proud,strong,loving survivor. No shame on me or my kids. Only pride 4 being me— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) January 13, 2018
When I sexually abused it ws by my Kari Sahab, my Driver & then by a highly educated elite families son. Now a happily married business man in London. It’s across the board. Men abuse across the board. My family still wants me to stay silent. But the shame IS NOT MINE! Never ever
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) January 13, 2018
Famous event manager Frieha Altaf and costume designer Maheen Khan also tweeted about their personal experiences of victimization in childhood.
#childabuse #saynotochildabuse #metoo The Maulvi who came to teach me the Quran abused me sexually .I froze in fear day after day .
Share in support of children subjected to the sick acts ..by so called custodians of our religion— Maheen Khan (@Maheenkhanpk) January 14, 2018
I was sexually abused by our cook at age 6. My parents took action but everyone remained silent as if it was my shame. At 34 I realised how it had impacted my life.the only shame is keeping SILENT #ChildAbuse #shame #NoMoreChildAbuse #MeToo #JusticeForZainab #HowToStopChildAbuse
— Frieha Altaf (@FriehaAltaf) January 14, 2018
When entire nation was demanding justice for Zainab, it was crucial for other victims to speak up, so that the issue gets the attention of the society for a permanent cure.
What Went Wrong with Sharing About Victimization
The purpose of celebrities sharing their painful memories of child abuse was to highlight the gravity of the situation. Unfortunately, in such conservative societies of East, victim blaming is common. Those who suffer from the evil, choose to stay quiet so that no one shames them for what happened to them. Keeping the matter confined and not taking it to the Police, is considered necessary for saving the honor of the family. In such a situation daring to share the personal experiences of child abuse is indeed a courageous task.
The issue is that in Pakistan, tabloids that use social media for spreading click-bait headlines, hinder the process of awareness. The way, they tell news, is enough to distract the audience form a real issue. Same happened to the case of Nadia Jamil and other celebs who talked about being a victim of abuse. For tabloids, celebs like Nadia Jamil facing abuse in their childhood was itself news; they didn’t tell the people about the motive behind sharing such experience.
Why Celebs Shared their Experience
It is evident that primary reason behind celebrities sharing their experiences is to tell the world about the seriousness of the issue. Nadia Jamil also opined that child who has become victim needs the support of society for being productive. He needs help for coming out of the trauma and shock he has faced. Further, he or she doesn’t deserve to be shamed instead it is the culprit who should be humiliated and bashed for his crimes.
Every time a child is sexually abused he/she is me. I will never shut up about it. & I will always say to the child, the child’s families, you, there is no shame for the abused survivor & we can help lead the to a joyful positive productive life. The shame is on the MEN who abuse
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) January 13, 2018
The cure is literacy, poverty alleviation and an empathetic education that counters all patriarchal, misogynistic discourse on women, womens bodies & male entitlement to sexual gratification for power.
PLUS awareness & protection workshops 4 Kids, schools, parents! There is a way https://t.co/o0YcoPvsuK— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) January 13, 2018
Nadia Jamil also mentioned about what was the cure of this illness.
The cure is literacy, poverty alleviation and an empathetic education that counters all patriarchal, misogynistic discourse on women, womens bodies & male entitlement to sexual gratification for power.
PLUS awareness & protection workshops 4 Kids, schools, parents! There is a way https://t.co/o0YcoPvsuK— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) January 13, 2018
