Ayesha Omar, a prominent figure in the Pakistani entertainment industry, has recently opened up about a critical issue that resonates with countless women in the country—the scarcity of safe public spaces.
In a candid conversation on the Adnan Faisal Podcast, Omar passionately shared her insights on the challenges women face in Pakistan, shedding light on the prevalent issues of harassment and the constant fear that pervades their daily lives.
Throughout the podcast, the actress expressed deep concerns about the lack of secure public spaces for women in Pakistan. She emphasized the pervasive problem of women feeling unsafe on the streets, highlighting 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. Can the women in your office walk on the street?” With the off-camera response presumably being 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 shed light on the unique 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. “Being in a woman’s shoes and understanding that is impossible. You’re anxious every second.”
Expressing her sincere 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. “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 creation 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. What do you do? What do you do?”
