Breaking the sounds of silence

Blogger Siddy Says backs model’s comments, but others have reservations

#MeToo is everywhere – in Bollywood, in Pakistan, at the US Senate and all around the world. It’s been bolstered by #WhyIDidntReport in light of Christine Blasey Ford’s shocking accusations about US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. But what prevents women from reporting sexual assault and abuse and speaking out? Gulf News investigates |

Even as Tanushree Dutta’s recent revelations jolts Bollywood out of its #MeToo slumber a decade after she first made the allegations against veteran actor Nana Patekar, Pakistan is quietly struggling with its own watershed moment.

In recent comments that have sent ripples of shockwaves across Pakistan, 25-year-old model and actress Sadaf Kanwal, along with popular lifestyle blogger Siddy Says, elicited the wrath of many as they questioned why women wait so long to report their ‘#MeToo incident?’

Kanwal appeared to ponder over this quandary while appearing last month on the talk show Tonite with HSY. When asked to share her thoughts on the movement sweeping across the world, the young model responded: “You know aap ke saath Me Too jab ho, tab bol do. Baad mein apko yaad aa raha hai Me Too? So, I think jab ho bol do [When you have a #MeToo incident, say it. Suddenly later, you cry #MeToo? So, when it happens, just say it].”

Kanwal’s comments were further backed by Pakistani blogger, Siddy Says, who waded into the debate with a blog post that defended the model’s statement.

“We rightfully agree with Sadaf [Kanwal] on this. If you find yourself amidst an [sexual harassment] incident report it immediately instead of making a hue and cry about it years later,” Siddy Says wrote.

The condemnation of Kanwal’s comments was fierce and quick, with several finding her viewpoint outrageous in a community that has been quietly fighting against patriarchy to create a space for women to speak up.

Swift and unforgiving

Among the most notable to respond to Kanwal’s comments was singer Meesha Shafi, who has publicly accused Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar of sexual harassment in April. While Shafi faces down the battle against Zafar in court, her reaction to Kanwal’s comments were swift and unforgiving.

“Strong eyebrows do not

a strong backbone make. Pfffft,” Shafi tweeted, taking a dig at Kanwal, who is known for her fierce ‘brow game’ in the world of modelling.

Shafi later posted on Twitter in wake of the recent hashtag #WhyIDidntReport, posting:

“You should not have said. You should not say ... Why did you say … What reason for saying … How dare you say … Why did you say it like this/ that. Why haven’t you said it to me? Why this forum?

But what about xyz issue? Also: But why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

While Shafi has been subtle in her outrage, others have not been so forgiving. Twitter user Zaibi cut to the quick, posting: “Really? It’s so disappointing when women who are well aware of what really goes on around, women who have the power and influence on other people, say such things without context and without giving it a second thought. So pathetic!”

Earlier, Kanwal had posted a picture of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari being kissed on the cheek by a follower, captioning the Instagram image as ‘#MeToo’ with a laughing emoji. Few found it funny.

While some have argued that Kanwal’s comments have come from a place of privilege, Twitter user Javaria Waseem calls it as she sees it, tweeting: “After this whole Sadaf Kanwal incident, I realise how difficult it must have been for @itsmeeshashafi to take a stand for herself and point a harasser in the same media community which harvests people like Sadaf.”

You know aap ke saath Me Too jab ho, tab bol do. Baad mein apko yaad aa raha

hai Me Too? [When you have a #MeToo incident, say it. Suddenly later, you cry #MeToo? When it happens, just say it].”

Sadaf Kanwal | Pakistani model and actress