Stand Together

  PC: Qazi Ikram Haq It is well known and widely acknowledged that South Asian women and those from most cultures, compromise their well-being, boundaries, career, self-care and more so that their families and dependents can thrive. What makes this disturbing that this is not just acknowledged but very widely accepted in nearly all cultures and societies. It is needless to state that most of our societies and cultures are patriarchal but I feel I need to state this again to remind you that women are almost always at the bottom. Since we all know this and many of us accept it, we should also become aware of the cost of compromise on the quality of lives women live. Being a woman, I can tell you my story and what the South Asian culture of compromise has cost me and continues to. I am confident that millions of women and primary care givers can relate to what I have jotted down. At Home My home is my refuge, the safest place where I can exist. It is also a place for compromise e...

I have no answer to this question but there is one out there. Let me give you some context.  I was recently triggered by a conversation I had with a friend, who recommended that I watch Dancing on the Grave on Amazon Prime Video. The show is a true crime documentary about Shakereh Khaleeli's murder . Along with their recommendation, my friend said “ the decisions that the murdered woman took, led to her murder” . I was intrigued and so, I accepted the recommendation and watched the first episode. Unfortunately, I couldn’t watch the show beyond the first episode and I informed my friend why. I am not sure how other viewers have reacted to the show but from my description, you can see two reactions – firstly one that blames the victim; and secondly, one that triggers someone who has experienced violence in an intimate relationship in a previous life. Victim blaming is very common and has been written about so much that I find it surprising people are still unaware about the in...