Pakistani actress Mahira Khan has been a strong advocate for women rights in Pakistan. She is also seen attending the Aurat March every year. In a recent interview, she explained the slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’. In addition to this, she also opened up about her family life.
Mahira Khan on Aurat March
In an interview with Mira Sethi for WatchNa, Mahira Khan was asked to share why she attends Aurat March. The Superstar actress says she feels a responsibility to represent the women of our country.
It’s important for me to march every year because my voice has weight. When I go to the Aurat March, I make it a point to tell everyone that this is what I believe in. It does not benefit me but it is important for the women here, so I will represent them. Nobody will go and ask them to explain their slogans and chants, but the media comes to me. So I want to utilise my two minutes to explain and educate on behalf of those women.
The slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’ spewed major controversy last year. However, Mahira says people did not perceive it the way it was meant to be perceived.
When I say Mera Jism Meri Marzi, I don’t mean I want strip my clothes off and run around naked! I mean to say that I am a human and this is my body, so it is up to me whether I allow you to stare at it or touch it, or not. It means that I can report you if you don’t comply. It means that I can take an action against you if you harass me because you have no right over MY body.
How did Mahira grow so strong?
Explaining why she grew up to be a strong, independent woman, Mahira Khan explained it has a lot to do with her upbringing.
We lived in a small house, just the four of us, and there was this freedom. We were like roommates. My parents had me after eight years of their marriage. They were doing their own thing and enter these two children. So they gave us that freedom, which by the way, wasn’t about having no boundaries and curfews. It was the freedom to choose. My father especially would ask us, ‘Who do you want to be, what do you want to eat?’ They would never tell us they want us to be this or that. They just let us take our own decisions.
She also spoke on how the industry demands certain behaviour from actresses. But she can’t be someone she isn’t. Watch the full interview here:
Do you agree with what Mahira Khan says about Aurat March and the slogan ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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