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EducationFeaturedSocial Issues

5 Reasons Why Women Need To Learn Self-Defense

by Anum Zafar
written by Anum Zafar

Imagine you’re walking down the streets to your car, heading back home from work and it’s late. You don’t see  people around you and the streetlights don’t seem to work either. Right when you open your car door to put your bag, you feel arms clamp around your shoulders and you’re petrified. 

What do you do?

Cumbria police warn of predatory stalkers going online during the Coronavirus lockdown | The Westmorland Gazette

Women have been victim to violence all around the world. There are various techniques women can practice today to protect themselves. Here are 5 reasons why every woman should learn self-defense.

1. Awareness & Protection

How one wearable for women is bringing self defense tools into the modern age - TechRepublic

As adults, we spend a lot of time on our devices and often forget what’s happening around us. Women should spread self-defense awareness and practice with experienced instructors to build strategies that work best to prevent oneself from unfortunate incidents. Self-defense is the perfect way for women to become more self-aware.

2. Helps You Become More Confident

3 Reasons Why Women Should Learn Self-Defense

Do not show yourself as vulnerable and helpless to the victim as attackers look for easy targets. Even if you’re scared- don’t give them the opportunity to sense your fear. Instead, believe the fact that you’ll get through this and deal with the situation strongly with your head up and eyes full of rage. This way, it’ll be much easier for you to walk out of the situation firmly.

3.  Rape Is A Growing Threat

Metro Vancouver woman arrested for allegedly pepper spraying Mountie during traffic stop - Vancouver Is Awesome

Sexual assaults have been on the rise in Pakistan. Crimes committed against women and children have been prevalent in our society and only we can put an end to it by standing up for ourselves. We need to educate women in our surroundings on the importance of self-defense and the need to carry self-defense weapons such as tasers, blades and pepper sprays with us all the time.

4.  Learning Self-Defense Is An Amazing Exercise

Women hone self-defence skills at workshop - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

Taking self defense classes not just saves you from violence against women but is also a great exercise! Moreover, not only it helps your body physically by strengthening it, it’s great for your mental health as well, improving your sixth sense to understand people’s intentions more clearly towards you. You can become your own hero by exercising this incredible session of strength and confidence. If you feel a positive change within yourself by walking out of a dangerous situation safely, then your efforts are paying off.

5.  Be Accountable For Yourself & For Women Around You

Self Defense Training For Girls

Taking charge of self safety is in your own hands and it’s the perfect way to save your own lives without having to depend on any man to come and save you. It’s your life and you should know how to protect your present and future. We don’t see violence and crime against women taking an end anytime soon but we can definitely reduce the rate of such crimes by defending ourselves and letting other women do so too in order to protect our sisters, daughters and their generation to come.

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IBA
Social Issues

IBA Collaborates with Santex to Provide Feminine Hygiene Products

by Laiba
written by Laiba

Institute of Business Administration (IBA) collaborates with Santex Products to provide feminine hygiene products on campus and raise awareness of having easy access. Under the partnership, Santex will be providing the educational institute with its breathable range. The goal is to fill feminine hygiene vending machines on campus that has just been recently installed. 

These products’ availability is scarce in private institutions and public despite it being essential for feminine hygiene. Women in colleges, universities, or at work take care of their needs by themselves or are left helpless on many occasions. This initiative will also greatly help deconstruct the shame associated with these products while also fulfilling the requirement. 

Marketing Manager, Santex Products, Ms. Rodrigues, said, “As female students, campus life becomes challenging when there is a lack of access to such necessities. We are beyond delighted to be able to partner with the IBA for such a critical cause. As a brand, our mission is to create awareness for feminine hygiene needs and provide our consumers with innovative and high-quality products.”

“A significant number of the IBA students comprise of females and it is imperative that we provide a comfortable space for them to study, work and to nurture their skills. This is a milestone of my career as the IBA Student Counselor and it endorses the fact that we need more females in the top management to bring a positive change in our society,”  says Dr Nida Aslam, Assistant Professor Marketing, and former Patron, IBA Student Council.

IBA Hygiene Initiative: IBA is the First University in Pakistan to Install Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines, An Exclusive on How It was Implemented. Read the full story here:

IBA Hygiene Initiative: IBA is the First University in Pakistan to Install Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines, An Exclusive on How It was Implemented

For the first time, any institute in Karachi has come up with an initiative as such where there is a positive step taken towards respecting the privacy concern of women. It is our social responsibility to provide women with safe environments to reach their full potential.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comment section below.

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hamza
Social Issues

Hamza Ali Abbasi Believes Only Dialogue Can Address Racism

by Laiba
written by Laiba

Muslims across the world are protesting against the French governments’ decision to republish cartoons of Mohammed (PBUH). While the protest is ongoing, a complete ban on French products has been called for in several Muslim countries. Since this is a matter of religious offence, Parwaaz Hai Junoon’s actor, Hamza Ali Abbasi, has shared his thoughts on the issue on social media.

His tweet read, “It is your right to disagree & criticise but IT IS NOT UR RIGHT TO MOCK WITH THE INTENT TO DELIBERATELY INSULT & PROVOKE, it’s immoral, unethical and uncivilised and the only way we Muslims can make the world understand that is solely by peace & dialogue, not murder, war & hostility.”

War Is Never The Answer

Abbasi emphasised that the only way to move forward is with peace if we want to tackle racism. However, it is unacceptable to insult and provoke one’s religious sentiments. It is unethical, immoral, and uncivilised to say the least in today’s time. While the entire world is moving forward and participating in creative criticism, France’s government is justifying their actions as ‘freedom of speech’ even though they are hurting feelings of millions of Muslims around the world.

He further voices his distaste,  “What if Muslims organize a contest of throwing cow meat on a Ram statue? Or who can slaughter the most pigs in a synagogue or who can spit on a cross with the most accuracy? It is evil. Same applies in the case of making insulting cartoons of a man held sacred by more than 1.5BN PPL.” 

Read the full story here: 

Muslim Countries Call for a Complete Boycott of French Products

While Hamza firmly believes that dialogue is the way forward, Twitter thinks otherwise:

Muslim cleric Mufti Menk believes that the west will gain nothing out of disrespecting the Prophet but will instead make enemies.

Other celebrities in Pakistan have yet to comment on the matter. Have something to add? Let us know in the comment section below.

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student centre 1
Social Issues

IBA Hygiene Initiative: IBA is the First University in Pakistan to Install Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines, An Exclusive on How It was Implemented

by Hareem Zafar
written by Hareem Zafar

Menstruation, a phenomenon that does not exist for our society. For years there has been a huge stigma attached to it that any talk regarding period hygiene is instantly brushed under the carpet.

The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) has not only acknowledged but has also become the first ever university in Pakistan to install Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines. A total of 4 vending machines werwe installed across both of its campuses in Karachi in late August 2020.

The news was a breath of fresh air for hundreds of girls who know and understand the pain of going up to random stranger females asking for a sanitary napkin.

An email was circulated to the entire student body notifying the students about the placement of “Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines” at the IBA campuses. The machines have been installed at:

  • Adamjee Building Girls Washroom – IBA Main Campus
  • Girls Hostel Washroom
  • Students’ Centre Girls Washroom – IBA Main Campus
  • Faysal Bank Building Girls Washroom – IBA City Campus

A Moment of Pride for the IBA Community

The Institute of Business Administration has taken a much-needed step towards facilitating and empowering its female students. Making sanitary napkins readily available for female students on campus promotes convenience for female students, and cultivates a more protective and inclusive environment for girls at IBA.

All this can be attributed to Dr. Nida Aslam Khan, the Patron of IBA Students Council’s, consistent and unfailing efforts to facilitate her students.

Dr. Nida Aslam has been associated with IBA since 2005, as a lecturer and currently also serves as the Patron of IBA Student Council (ISC) since 2018; she is also an IBA Alumna. Dr Nida was the lead of the entire project and takes great pride and accomplishment since the students are extremely happy. It is because of her undying efforts and determination that the “Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines” project was finally brought to completion.

WOW360 connected with Dr. Nida Aslam to gather some exclusive insights on the historic hygiene initiative and here is what she had to say in her interview: 

What motivated you to bring about this change and push forward for a sanitary napkin vending machine at IBA?

When I joined as the Student Counselor in 2018, there were a lot of female students who came to me and put forward their issues and concerns. The first task at hand was to get the elections done at IBA. Once that was done, and fortunately a female was elected as the General secretary, who was Amna Kashmiri, I called them to my office and asked them to share their input regarding improvement of overall campus life.

 

Amna was very clear on the hygiene goal and since I had taught her before, she knew I am very receptive and listen to students’ concerns and try to facilitate them in whatever way I can.

IBA - Student Societies

I asked Amna to get a survey done, because we are talking about a student body of almost 4000 people.  She went ahead with that and 500 female students responded to the survey and highlighted the need for a machine like this on campus.

How difficult was it to push this through and get it implemented, since period hygiene is a taboo in our society?

I had a very clear vision. Though I wear a hijab, I am very receptive and open to discussion about any issue, as long as it facilitates the students. Period hygiene is something very natural and we should encourage women to talk about this issue. Even in our homes, we should try talking about this openly rather than hushing the subject as taboo.

 

I have been a student at IBA myself and have faced similar issues.  So when Amna put this forward, myself and her were very clear because we are females and were able to relate. Maybe a male patron would not have related to this, because previously there was a male student counselor, and nothing like this has ever happened in the history of IBA, or Pakistan.

I talked to a lot of females on campus, even female faculty members were facing this issue!

 

We had the budget; it was all about allocating that budget in the right manner. If the students are paying for extra curriculars, the money should be allocated to something that benefits them and provides them with convenience. It was the student’s money that was allocated and used for this project. 

According to Dr. Nida, girls should feel at home and comfortable at IBA. There are so many girls living at the girl’s hostel who faced problems because of unavailability of menstrual products.

One of the best outcomes of this was that it got the boys talking about period hygiene and acknowledging it as something natural.

The students are VERY VERY happy and I feel so accomplished! It took me two years but I got this done. It was a great learning experience for me since there were so many stakeholders involved and I hadn’t done a project like this before, but I believe as long as the goal and vision is clear, nothing is impossible. 

She appreciates Associate Dean Dr. Huma Baqai’s support and is glad that a female held this position at IBA, which was a plus factor and made the process easier. 

Amna Kashmiri- The Girl Who Paved Way for the Hygiene Initiative at IBA

Amna Kashmiri, IBA Student Council’s General Secretary 2018-2019, knew what her priority was going to be when she started her tenure at the student council in her 4th year of Bachelor’s at IBA. Amna Kashmiri had requested for the provision of menstrual hygiene supplies for female students.

I’d call myself super lucky to have a supportive patron, Dr. Nida Aslam Khan, who not only supported the idea but also did all that she could in making it a reality, says Amna.

Here is what Amna had to say when interviewed by WOW360 exclusively: 

Situation at IBA was no different than any other related to menstrual hygiene in the country, and I think it all started during my freshman year when I and many other girls I knew had to go through so much trouble just to find sanitary napkins in a situation of emergency. Walking up to complete strangers and asking for sanitary napkins had become a norm.

In fact, we had several groups just so we could stay connected and help each other incase mother nature decided to run its course. Although all the hassle did cultivate an environment of empathy and compassion amongst the girls, we knew there had to be a permanent solution for this.

The Hygiene Initiative may seem trivial to some, but it is revolutionary for Amna. Revolutionary because there is now acknowledgment of the existence of such a phenomenon – menstruation (which, by the way, is a feat in itself). Acknowledgement of the need that arises due to it and an action plan to resolve an issue that was faced by half of the population on campus.

Through the initiative, IBA also aims to highlight that there is a dire need to make places more female-friendly. It’s time we start speaking about the basic necessities. It’s time we start acknowledging!

IBA-ians are proud of you, Amna! And so grateful to Dr. Nida and everyone who was a part of this historic initiative at the IBA campus.

Another student of IBA, Ayesha Mehmood, who assisted the ISC and Dr. Nida in highlighting issues of GCR [girls common room] and maintenance of female washrooms, to make campus more female friendly, had the following to say on the installation of vending machines:

The entire team spirit and the sincere efforts of Ms. Nida Aslam, Student Patron IBA, proved to bring the change that was much needed in today’s time. We look forward to going back on campus and availing the facility of the newly installed vending machine!

It’s high time we eliminate the stigma attached to menstruation and provide a comfortable environment to the ladies at workplaces and educational institutions- making convenient hygiene options available for them to roam freely without any worries or hassle.

Here is hoping this change is here to stay and other educational institutions in Pakistan learn to facilitate women by making menstrual hygiene products available to them.

All hail IBA for championing women empowerment and setting an example for the rest!  

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divorce lead
FeaturedSocial Issues

5 Reasons Why Divorce is on the Rise in Pakistan

by Guest Author
written by Guest Author

While the divorce rate in Pakistan is quite low compared to many countries in the global north, the rate is gradually increasing. Punjab witnessed an increase of 2000 cases in a period of two years, and 11,143 cases were filed in 2019 in Karachi.

While Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan blames Bollywood and Hollywood media for this surge, the blame can’t simply be put on across-the-border forces. To present a more reasonable explanation, we have compiled 5 reasons why the divorce rate is increasing in Pakistan.

1. Women are More Educated Now

Back in the day, it was a common occurrence that marriage was considered to be the biggest achievement for girls. Parents would get their daughters married as soon as they find a suitable boy and boys’ families also preferred a younger girl who could be “easily moulded.”

While this still mainly holds true, girls nowadays are more persistent in getting a higher education and are more aware of their rights. If they feel their needs are not being met or they are expected to sacrifice their career aspirations, they consider walking out of marriage.

Rising Divorce Rates in Pakistan – Its Impact on the Individual and Society | JPMS Medical Blogs

While everybody walks into a marriage hoping to make it work, certain circumstances are deal-breakers. For instance, some girls choose not to compromise if they are disrespected. Many girls prefer to walk out of marriage in cases of domestic violence and mental and emotional abuse.

2. Infidelity and Lack of Trust

Just like violence and abuse is a deal-breaker for many, infidelity is another one. Many marriages have ended up after a spouse caught the other cheating. In some instances, just the lack of trust is an adequate reason to end up a marriage—a companionship that is supposed to be built on trust.

7 Reasons Why Divorce in India is Increasing | DESIblitz

3. Communication and Compatibility

Just like in any other relationship, communication is essential in a healthy marriage. Sometimes, it’s not that two people are wrong, but just that they’re so different that they aren’t able to communicate effectively. This leads to misunderstandings and arguments. Some feel that it is better to live happy lives separately than to live a suffocating life together.

Causes of Increasing Number of Divorce Rate in Pakistan – Ahsan's Portfolio

4. Family’s Interference

It is a given that every marriage has ups and downs. The couple just needs to power through the difficult times through empathy, understanding and an undying commitment to stick with each other. However, sometimes it’s not the couple, but the constant interference from friends and family members that make matters difficult.

What are Grounds for Divorce in India? | Aapka Consultant

Especially in Pakistan, where the joint-family system is still prevalent, the interference from family members gets overwhelming and often becomes a reason for irreconcilable clash.

5. Because it is Easy

In a country where divorce is something collectively frowned upon, it is still one of the easiest things to obtain, especially for men.  In a whim or a moment of rage, men violate the sanctity of marriage and end up breaking it.

Coronavirus: Lawyers expect a rise in divorces after self-isolation

This may continue to happen unless they fear the consequences, such as having to divide the assets with their former partners and providing them with adequate money for the maintenance of their children.

Conclusively, the increasing divorce rate in Pakistan can’t be attributed to a single cause; it is the outcome of several reasons.

Guest Author: Areeba Wasim.

This article is written by Areeba Wasim who is a Social Sciences major at IBA. She is passionate about writing and want to use the power of pen to write about social issues that matter and make a difference. 

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Vaping Bad Heart Health
LifestyleSocial Issues

Why Vaping Is Harmful – Facts & Health Risks

by Anum Zafar
written by Anum Zafar

Vaping is considered less injurious to health than smoking. However, it is not a safe option and can cause serious withdrawal symptoms. 

If you vape, be it Nicotine or anything else, switching to e-cigarettes instantly increases health risks and side effects.

The best option for health reasons is to quit smoking as well as vaping altogether – according to the American Cancer Society.

Here are some of the health risks and facts in regards to vaping

Vaping Effects Your Heart & Lungs

Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products | Electronic Cigarettes | Smoking & Tobacco Use | CDC

There is an intense link between cardiovascular disease and smoking as well as between lung cancer and vaping. The sooner you realize its effects and quit, the sooner your body can start repairing itself. There’s a lot of debate about vaping not causing any health risks at all and thousands of chain smokers find vaping an easy escape to denial.

Vaping Effects Your Gums & Teeth

Is Vaping Good or Bad For Your Teeth? - vaping.com blog

Vaping has numerous effects on your oral health.  It is associated with gum inflammation which is a known factor in periodontal diseases.  Switching from conventional cigarettes to e-cigarettes aerosol makes it easy for teeth to develop bacteria and increases risk of cavities and other oral diseases.

Moreover, report from 2018 by NAP stated there’s some proof that nicotine-free e-cigarrettes as well as nicotine can damage oral tissues and cells even for people who don’t smoke cigarettes and vape instead.

Other Health Risks That Come With Vaping

5 Signs Your Kid Is 'Vaping' | CafeMom.com

Another report by NAP in 2018 came across evidence that vaping causes damage to DNA, cell dysfunction and oxidative stress. There has been a few researches as to whether cancer can develop in long term if you continue vaping since the chances seem pretty high quite similar to smoking.

It has also been reported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that using nicotine to vape can affect development of brain permanently in youngers – mostly under the age of 25.

Effects Of Vaping Marijuana Instead Of Nicotine

Vaping risks: Worse with THC oil and 4 other things you need to know

If you think vaping marijuana is safe – then you must educate yourself and know its side effects which are impaired memory, nausea and vomiting, impaired coordination and increased heart rate.

Marijuana consists of  chemical like flavoring agents or base liquids. They may cause side effects which are similar to  nicotine-free e-cigarettes.

Electronic Cigarettes Are Equally Addictive As Conventional Cigarettes

500+ Girl Smoking Pictures [HQ] | Download Free Images on Unsplash

According to researches, nicotine is as addictive as cocaine or heroin. Electronic cigarettes are much worse than traditional ones if we’re discussing addiction – you can get more nicotine than usual from a tobacco product and you can purchase extra cartridges which tend to have a higher concentration of nicotine and you can increase an electronic cigarettes voltage or a more intense hit.

Unfortunately, so many people still believe vaping is safe but once you get to the root of it – it’s actually much worse than smoking.

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Pakistan child sex abuse
Media MarketingSocial Issues

#UthoBolo Alliance Aims to Launch a Media Campaign to Raise Voice Against Child Abuse in Pakistan

by Hareem Zafar
written by Hareem Zafar

Child Abuse has unfortunately become a common occurrence in Pakistan. It is shocking and sad to witness the rising cases of pedophilia and child abuse that are plaguing our society today. The Zainab case in Kasur and the Kasur child abuse scandal are just two incidents amongst many such incidents.

The Marwah case and the motorway gang rape case and the infinite number of abuse and rape cases that go unnoticed are a reflection of how our government fails to address this let alone catch the criminals and hang them in public.

There had been reports of a number of missing children in the Punjab district since 2015; authorities uncovered it to be pedophile ring linked to a prominent local family.

Whether it was the horrific rape of 7-year-old Zainab, or 6-year-old Marwah, or the motorway gang-rape, these cases were not reported to any of the multiple helplines that exist in the country. Maybe if reported on time, these organizations can help speed up the FIR registration process and finally provide justice to the victims.

Twitter was trending with #Uthobolo since morning today and were intrigued to find out what it was. The #UthoBolo alliance aims to launch a media campaign to raise voice against child abuse cases in Pakistan. Mainly the campaign tries to spread awareness among children about good touch and bad touch.

Several tweets mentioned how it is imperative to talk to children about abuse and make them comfortable enough that they share unusual activities and details with their parents. 

Pakistan’s parliament passed a law against child abuse, two years after the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl that shook the country.

The nation’s first national child abuse law will introduce a penalty of life imprisonment for child abuse, Pakistan’s human rights minister, Shireen Mazari said.

Read more on emergency helpline numbers to protect children here

Emergency Helpline Numbers For Women & Child Protection in Pakistan

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asian bea
NewsSocial Issues

Asian Instagram Filter Sparks Controversy: ‘You cant use my skin as filter’ Gains Support & Attention

by Anum Zafar
written by Anum Zafar

Chinese British Born vlogger Shu Lin is a London based vlogger who uses Youtube & Instagram on a regular basis. 

She spends most of her time on social media and has used a couple of Instagram filters in the past for story-telling.

Instagram is full of thousands of filters for story-telling that can hide your blemishes, acne, dark spots, etc.

However,  this time it went too far. 

Photo Courtesy; BBC News

Filters that can give your face a plastic surgery look, big lips and entirely change the way you look. Recently the 28 year old vlogger Shu Lin came across something even more toxic –  filters known as ‘Asian beauty’ and ‘Choco face’ which will make your face look 10 times darker than your own skin tone and your features go thinner & smaller than usual,

Shu Lin finds it quite offensive and came up with a campaign –

‘You can’t wear my skin for likes’

Watch video below:

Gone are the days when filters only use to mean cute puppy dog filters, heart eyes and kitten paws. Now it’s all about features transforming into another person’s, skin-tone changing and face lifting took kits. Making you want to be another person and resent your natural skin-tone and features.

This skin color and facial features transforming trend is slowly taking a toll on people’s lives and the worst part is that they don’t even realize it. Shu Lin says that this trend of colorism is the exact reason why she has been bullied half of her life while growing up and made her extremely insecure about her facial and bodily features.

Photo Courtesy; BBC News

Sadly, it is an accessory for white people now and they can use it to make their lips look bigger, nose & cheekbones contoured and look 10 times darker to get “that tanned look” whenever they want and remove it when they feel like.

Bur Shu Lin says that this isn’t about them, this is about the insecurity and racism they had to face while growing up and  these features are triggering their mental health and past trauma.

During their childhood, white people were the ones who bullied Asians for looking different and darker and now years later they are the ones using it as an accessory, at their convenience.

Photo Courtesy; BBC News

Shu Lin sums it up explaining that nowadays everyone’s trying to win a rat race to look flawless through these filters but somehow it’s never enough and we should realize that we’re already who we need to be and are so much more than we think we are. We are enough.

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polished man campaign
CelebritiesMedia MarketingSocial Issues

#PolishedManCampaign: Here is Why Pakistani Male Celebrities are Painting their Nails

by Hareem Zafar
written by Hareem Zafar

Wondering why pictures of Pakistani male celebrities with their fingernails painted, is trending? They have been raising awareness for the global Polished Man Campaign in order to educate and take a stand against the rising number of child abuse cases in Pakistan.

Photos of popular Pakistani male celebrities, including Wasim Akram, Humayun Saeed, Bilal Ashraf, Shehzad Roy and many more, have emerged with their fingernails painted as a part of the Polished Man campaign. A lot of speculation has been stirred amongst people as to why these celebrities were painting their nails and posting about it.

Shaniera Akram, who raises her voice and platform to spread awareness about human rights issues, took to social media to launch the Polished Man campaign that showcases a rather softer image of men in the country. They are not okay with children and women being abused in the country and want to show solidarity and stand up for this cause.

Via this campaign, Shaniera has shared the photos of many famous Pakistani male celebrities;

The Polished Man campaign has been commemorated for a while now, but it is needed more than ever in 2020. The rapidly rising incidents of child molestation in Pakistan forced the male celebrities, ranging from the sports field to the entertainment industry , join the international cause to show their support for the suffering children and their families.

Talking about Child Abuse is better than not talking about Child Abuse! We need to infiltrate people’s homes in Pakistan with the necessary conversations around this topic. And if a man coloring his nail can spark a wave of awareness, then so be it! Man up, Colour your nail today.

Several celebrities joined the Polished Man campaign such as Adnan Siddiqui, Wasim Akram, Bilal Ashraf, Shahzad Roy, Humayun Saeed, Mikaal Zulfiqar and other who joined the cause by posting their selfies with their fingernails painted.

As many as 1 billion children have been subjected to abuse in the past one year, which is approximately half the children in the world. This October, the campaign urges men to polish one nail to help initiate meaningful conversations about the issue.

It will also help in gathering donations that will help traumatized victims around the world to recover.

What is the Polished Man Campaign

Back in 2008, a foundation by the name of YGAP was started by a team of young and enthusiastic volunteers and has since matured into a high impact international organisation because of its impactful work.

The organization supports local entrepreneurs who have shown talent and drive to bring about a change in their  communities through social impact initiatives.

They started raising money for child abuse as almost half the world’s children experienced violence in the last year alone. They’ve raised $530,743 donations and are still ongoing.

View this post on Instagram

I am a Polished Man! Every child deserves the right to feel safe and protected. But here we are in 2020 where more than 10 children a day in Pakistan are subjected to abuse and violence (and that’s only what’s being reported) Too many little lives are suffering everyday at the hand of an adult and This needs to end now. We need to break this subject wide open, hear our children’s cries and vow to protect the children of this country from further abuse, torture and murder. This October, men all over our country and the world are coming together to say NO MORE to child violence and are standing up to help end the suffering. So Join me, in our fight and become a polished Man. So Man Up, be strong and Paint one or all your nails and show Pakistan your softer side. So take the stand and #GETPOLISHED Nominate 3 mates to do the same. Today I nominate @ali_zafar @imranismail.pti and @salman_ary #PakistanForPolishedMan #PakistanIsPolished #PakistaniMenSayNOMORE #EndViolenceAgainstChildren #IamAPolishedMan #PolishedManPk @polishedman

A post shared by Wasim Akram (@wasimakramliveofficial) on

 

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WhatsApp Image 2020 10 19 at 4.27.03 PM
CelebritiesSocial Issues

Amna Ilyas Bashed for her Inapproriate Apology Over Fat Shaming Former Model Amna Haq

by Hareem Zafar
written by Hareem Zafar

Model turned actor Amna Ilyas has recently been very vocal about issue such as colorism and body shaming, and has confidently defied social norms. She blatantly called out local celebrities for endorsing fairness and beauty creams and even took a jibe at Ayeza Khan for endorsing Faiza Beauty cream, by creating a parody video of her own.

However, it’s difficult to tell whether it’s all genuine or a way to gain publicity and stay in the limelight. It is apparently considered “cool’ to speak on social issues now, especially after the whole Glow & lovely debacle following the Black Lives Movement.

She revealed how she herself has been discriminated by the showbiz world because of her skin color but continues to promote how comfortable she is in her own skin.

However, a video clip from HSY’s 2018 show resurfaced on the internet recently and has gone viral, proves quite contrary to her current stance. In the clip she is blatantly fat shaming former model Amna Haq in a rather snide manner. While playing a game on Tonite with HSY, Amna Ilyas and Sadaf Kanwal described former model Aaminah Haq as ‘fat’- Amna Illyas’s rude bodily gesture, and then Ilyas and Kanwal high-fiving each other shook HSY too and took the audiences by surprise.

Watch video below:

The same episode made headlines in the past for Sadaf’s problematic stance on the #MeToo movement.

After receiving backlash for the remark, Ilyas released another, rather sarcastic video on the issue. The Baaji star took to Instagram and shared a video where she is seen in her PJs, yelling for a paratha.

The claim that I called someone fat two years ago is not true. TV, media, bloggers – kindly ignore them all. I will tell you the truth.

Watch her video here 

View this post on Instagram

#cancelculture

A post shared by Amna Ilyas (illy) (@aamnailyas) on

Rather than apologizing humbly, the actress went on narrating all the past instances of her childhood, revealing how she has judged her teachers, friends, family members, based on looks, skin color, bodily disabilities etc.

She started off by sharing how she had a differently abled cook, and she referred to him as ‘Loola Nomi” – she was only 6 years of age at that time. She thought her cousin’s daughter had a flat nose and so she didn’t pick her up for 2 years. She had a teacher who stammered and she made fun of his accent- she was 15 then. At one point, she told her maid ‘k daant lagwalo’. She had a guy friend whom ignored most of the times, because he was too short, she said ‘tu itna tidda hai, nazar hi nahi aata’.  Her sister had a friend who had a dark complexion and she said ‘ woh dekho, din main raat arahi hai’.

She was trying to imply how she has made fun of several people in the past, at different stages of her life, but that was a version of herself that is in the past. She is a different person now who is learning, and growing and trying to better herself. Was this her way of apologising? Makes us wonder.

After the clip started circulating on social media, the former supermodel Amna Haq, now 45, and rather active on Instagram, wrote the following:

No one enters this world knowing all the ethics, so please don’t tell me you all never said these things. But you still wouldn’t give another person a second chance, she continued.

She went on to say, in a rather out of the box manner, that she isn’t the same person anymrore. That even if she has led an ignorant life, she is trying to better herself and change who she is. Her past does not define her because that person wasn’t who she is now.

No one enters this world knowing all the ethics, so please don’t tell me you all never said these things. But you still wouldn’t give another person a second chance, she continued.

She said something wrong in the 90s so how can she preach something right today? How dare her!

She then went on to say:

Aaminah Haq, I cannot change what I did. I cannot undo the pain I might have caused you – but I try to be a better me every day. And for all you guys, for the last time, I am not her.

View this post on Instagram

45. The journey to hitting 45 yesterday, has taken a fair share of soul searching during the past year. I think this year I truly began to appreciate how fragile and wonderful life is. That being “happy” is a deeply personal and sometimes difficult choice you have to make every single day. I believe in celebrating birthdays, special moments, personal victories, the people you love and the things that give you unadulterated joy. Every moment counts and should be treasured. This picture was taken during one of those rare picture perfect days , when the happiness and peace you feel inside helps you get through those not so perfect days! Sending my friends, family and fans a big hug. Thank you for always being there for me and helping me get here. Xxx

A post shared by Aaminah Haq (@lahaq) on

No matter what her intentions, the hate clearly doubled and her fans and foes alike, wanted her to apologize like a normal person; her video made her look ‘arrogant’ and seemed like wasn’t ashamed of her past.

Read more here

Amna Ilyas Takes a Hilarious Dig at Ayeza Khan’s ‘Faiza Beauty Cream Commercial’ & People Loved it

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