India and Pakistan as neighbours have always shared a bumpy relationship. But the society and culture on both sides of the border share striking resemblances and these bind the two countries together.
Along with the positive aspects, the position of women and the hypocrisy attached to it, is also common across the border. Addressing the elephant in the room, a Twitter handle, @AuntyPakistan , has been taking on the misogyny in the society.
We still don’t know for sure who is running the show. It could be anyone — a teenaged pimply kid, a man with a vendetta or even a bunch of do-gooders. Whoever they are, wherever they are actually based out of, they have managed to tap into issues faced by desi women in their everyday lives. Sometimes, through a witty remark and on other occasions, in a well-meaning blunt rebuttal.
Next time a maulvi sb teaches you about “Parday ki fazeelat” ask him to give a sermon on “mardon ki zalalat” first. Educate the abusers!
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 2, 2015
Aunty recently highlighted the rising acid attacks on Pakistani women.
A secure proud Pakistani man couldnt take no for an answer. So he tried to ‘seduce’ me with a bottle of Acid. Thank u Parliament for caring
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 2, 2015
And pointed out how some women too are a part of the problems faced by females.
Wanted to work after marriage. First ppl to judge me were women in my in laws. Jo azadi tumhe nahi mili woh mujh se bhi na cheeno #Empathise
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 2, 2015
The handle also loves pulling up those who frequently hurl sexist abuses.
Next time u call a woman a prostitute, try imagining the horror a prostitute goes through everyday. U aren’t half as brave as those women.
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
Dear men if u have problems with other men then solve it amongst urself as men. Dont drag our vaginas into it by saying Bhench*d & Maach*d
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
It also urges people to follow what they preach.
Dear followers men and women if u ever called a woman bitch/slut pick up the phone and say sorry to her. Sirf Retweet na karo #IzzatKaro
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
AP also reached out to television dramas, which Indians will surely relate to.
Dear Hum Geo Ary Urdu1, the day u show more progressive independent women is the day I will say I am proud of our dramas.
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
Pakistani Dramas, written/directed/produced by independent women but protagonist always plays a helpless woman. Inspire us not stereotype us
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
Check out the handle’s take on objectification of women.
Main Aurat hon, Ornament nahi jo ghar main saja kay rakho gey. Mujh say pyar kertay ho, toh let me fly. #MujheUrnayDo
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
… and on the annoying stares.
Dear Men, just like u dont like any boy checking out ur sister/gf, I also dont like when you undress me on the streets with ur tharki eyes
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
This Pakistani Aunty asks some relevant questions people seldom think about.
When Pakistani fathers feel proud of daughter: “Tum meri beti nahi, betay ho.” Baap khabie apne betay ko fakhar se “beti” kion nahi kehtay?
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
We admire the way the handle nonchalantly slams the so-called custodians of culture.
Pakistani Culture: Woman cant dance on screen in short clothes. They can only dance in Drawinging rooms, farm houses, Hamza’s mind, weddings
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
And sneaks in a few words for the dress-code debate where necessary.
Burkha pehnon toh karachi ki dhoop main jaloon. Burkha na pehnon toh jahannum ki aag main jaloon #PakistaniWomenProblems @Shehzad89 @fbhutto
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
#PakistaniWomenProblems First wear sleeveless Kurta made my Junaid Jamshed then get judged for wearing sleeveless Kurta by Junaid Jamshed
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
Aunty’s take on slut-shaming.
3 things which makes women a “Slut” in Pakistan? 1. Men’s insecurities 2. Men’s insecurities 3. Men’s insecurities @Shehzad89 @MawraHocane
— Aunty Pakistan (@AuntyPakistan) September 1, 2015
The account surfaced at a time when Pakistan saw a social media storm after Faisal Qureshi used the female identity as an insult. Actor Mawra Hocane was also recently abused on social media, with calls for banning her, on voicing her opinion.