Pakistan: Women Journalists Attacked Online Following Prime Minister's Troubling Remarks On Rape; CFWIJ Condemns The Misogyny Being Encouraged In The Country.
Location: Pakistan, Islamabad
Date: June 22, 2021
Several women journalists face gendered attacks and threats on Twitter after criticizing Prime Minister Imran Khan for his remarks on the rising rates of sexual violence in the country. In a recent interview with an international media outlet, Khan reasserted his misogynistic comments regarding rape in the country, linking the crime to the attire of the survivor.
Social media in Pakistan erupted after Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an interview with HBO's Jonathan Swan, claimed that certain kinds of feminine attire invite sexual violence. In the criticism that followed this deeply misogynistic remark, supporters of the ruling party viciously trolled women journalists online in an attempt to silence them. Renowned voices in the local journalist circle such as Reema Omer, Benazir Shah, and Tanzeela Mazhar, amongst others, were targeted by gendered threats and abuse for condemning the Prime Minister's remarks.
This is not the first time Imran Khan has come under fire for his comments on rape. As instances of sexual violence against vulnerable groups in Pakistan continue to rise, the Prime Minister has repeatedly attempted to shift the blame to the Indian movie industry and female attire. While this has sparked international condemnation, supporters of Khan’s political party continue to harass women critics online in an effort to silence public discourse on the matter. The digital landscape in Pakistan is particularly hostile towards women, several alleging that the attacks they endure on social media are endorsed by the state to curb voices of dissent. CFWIJ has repeatedly reported on these issues. Read our detailed report on this matter to know more about the misogyny perpetuated online in Pakistan.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns these repeated online attacks on women journalists. It has become evident that the violent misogynistic culture is perpetuated by the state, whether it is online or offline. Women are repeatedly held accountable for the actions of men, resulting in rising violence. The Pakistani state owes its women citizens the same civil rights enjoyed by their male counterparts. This includes freedom of movement, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. Any attempt to stifle these rights will only increase the violence faced by women. The Prime Minister needs to immediately retract his statements, apologize, and address his support base on the matter.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.