Bakhtawar Bhutto, daughter of former premier Benazir Bhutto, calls for banning the entry of single men at public places on Monday.
Earlier on Friday, she had called for the ban of entry of single men at public places. She had said that while commenting on the incident of sexual harassment recounted by a woman she encountered on Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum on Independence Day.
“Another harrowing experience – witnessed by police who refused to help despite their ability to call for backup as well as use weapons to disperse the crowd. Trusted to help & instead complicit. Men should be banned from public spaces. We need more women to safeguard women,” she said that while commenting on the incident.
Re my tweet banning men from public. I stand by it. Single men should not be allowed out without being escorted by sisters, mothers, wives or daughters – perhaps then they will think twice before assaulting women. With repeated & increasing incidents of assault no better option.
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) August 23, 2021
Read more: Netizens call Minar-e-Pakistan incident a publicity stunt
Again on Monday, she reiterated her demand and said that single men should be banned from visiting public places.
“Single men should not be allowed out without being escorted by sisters, mothers, wives, or daughters – perhaps then they will think twice before assaulting women,” tweeted Bakhtawar Bhutto. “With repeated and increasing incidents of assault, no better option,” she added further.
Another harrowing experience – witnessed by police who refused to help despite their ability to call for back up as well as use weapons to disperse crowd. Trusted to help & instead complicit. Men should be banned from public spaces. We need more women to safeguard women. https://t.co/kIqDE3KSYa
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) August 21, 2021
Calls for the security of women have been growing following several cases of sexual harassment reported on Independence Day in Lahore.
On 14th August, TikToker, Ayesha was groped and sexually assaulted by a mob at the Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore on 14th Independence Day. The disturbing videos of the girl being harassed by a group of nearly 400 men went viral on social media.
Read more: Girl sexually assaulted at Minar-e-Pakistan by mob on 14th August
According to the reports, the girl had gone to Minar-e-Pakistan to film a TikTok video for Independence Day. A mob attacked, groped, and sexually assaulted her. The disturbing videos showed the girl was touched by men inappropriately. The groups of men pulled her towards them. The sexual assault on the girl even tore apart her clothes as well.
The incident had sent a shockwave across the country. It had once again raised questions on the safety and security of women in Pakistan.