The echoes of #MeToo were still ringing in our ears when another cry of terror fell upon them, this time about child abuse. This one was from Kasur, Pakistan, where 7-year-old Zainab was brutally raped and murdered, and left in a garbage heap. As if she wasn’t a little girl; as if she wasn’t a living and breathing human being….
The extinguishing of this little light incited protests in all the major cities of Pakistan, and spread to other parts of the world too, leaving devastating and anger in its wake. Social media unanimously sought #JusticeForZainab. A Pak TV anchor, Kiran Naz, spoke on national television about her concerns on child abuse, all while her little daughter sat in her lap, to drive the horrific point home.
Now, in yet another attempt to bring forth the terrible reality of child abuse, Pakistani actress and activist Nadia Jamil decided to speak up about her own tryst with the horror.
I was 4 the first time I was abused sexually. I was in college when it blew out of proportion.
People tell me not to talk to respect my families honour. Is my families honour packed in my body? I am a proud,strong,loving survivor. No shame on me or my kids. Only pride 4 being me— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) January 13, 2018
Nadia’s courageous move started an avalanche of similar revelations by other Pakistani women. Her tweet sparked a movement not unlike #MeToo, where one woman’s courage to speak up empowered other women to share their stories of being abused as children.
1. There’s no escaping the haunting memory, is there?
https://twitter.com/nam_e_man/status/952186695566290944
2. Model and entrepreneur Frieha Altaf said the only shame is keeping SILENT.
I was sexually abused by our cook at age 6. My parents took action but everyone remained silent as if it was my shame. At 34 I realised how it had impacted my life.the only shame is keeping SILENT #ChildAbuse #shame #NoMoreChildAbuse #MeToo #JusticeForZainab #HowToStopChildAbuse
— Frieha Altaf (@FriehaAltaf) January 14, 2018
3. Aren’t these men, these ‘teachers’, supposed to enlighten their students? Instead, they snuff out their light.
https://twitter.com/Maheenkhanpk/status/952541580291960835
4. Pakistani designer Maheen Khan too shared her tale.
Bravo. Me too
I was 7 …while been taught the Qurà n by a maulvi— Maheen Khan (@Maheenkhanpk) January 13, 2018
5. It’s a misconception that only girls can be victimised. Protect the little boys too.
I've always encouraged my boys to speak to me whatever bothers them. They have complaint about their qari sahab, who obviously were told to leave. Once had a male care taker for them, who said 'I luv u' to them, they replied 'we hate u'. They told me, the same day he was fired.
— Asma (@AsmaZhk) January 13, 2018
6. More power to us!
I was sexually abused at the age of 12 by my cousin at Eid, after he had come back from namaz. I was groped when I was 8 years old by a stranger. I was asked to keep quiet too. But today I speak about it. More power to us.
— Hira Shah Uzair (@erumasgh) January 13, 2018
7. The shame isn’t yours. Save it for the abuser, the mute spectators who let it happen.
I still feel shame .. My hands are trembling nd heart is beating so fast.. I can never forget that. Pain is why my parents never taught me to b brave??? Why the ppl on bus didn’t help me?? Should we take action only if victim is our own daughter, son or blood relative??
— shawxia (@maroshaw) January 13, 2018
8. #NoMoreChildAbuse
I was 11 the first time i got abused sexually, my family took the action but then all remained silent as it was my shame now I'm 18 and it's haunting me. #NoMoreChildAbuse #PunishChildMolesters #JusticeForZainub #PunishChildMolesters
— عائشة (@Ayeshafathima09) January 15, 2018
It was not just women who had terrible stories of child abuse haunting them. Men too spoke up about what they suffered through and how it had affected them all these years.
1. A void that sucks on your self-esteem.
I was touched inappropriately and made to do the same in my early teen by a middle aged man in an empty swimming pool. The feeling was alienating at the time, confusing to be precise but gradually it left a void. A void that sucks my self-esteem every now and then.
— Maaz Yousaf (@BiryaniSenpai) January 13, 2018
2. You’re not alone.
Bro I feel for you. You're not alone.#metoo. When I was 15 I was in a public bus in Rawalpindi & this old uncle must have been in his 60s. Started touching my leg and moved up. I stopped him. Moved his hand away violently but was too scared to say anything. Wish I did!
— Bryce Barrows (@BryceBarrows) January 13, 2018
Support poured in from all quarters, and even gratitude for empowering others to share their stories.
1. A Canadian Senator of Pakistani origin, Ataullahjan thanked Nadia for sharing her story.
Thank you for sharing your story. The only people who should feel shame are the perpetrators and those who tried to silence you. https://t.co/PelV4VtV7z
— Senator Salma Ataullahjan (@SenatorSalma) January 13, 2018
So did a former Pak Ambassador to the US, Sherry Rehman.
Heart dents💔 everytime I hear of abuse.It’s v brave of u @FriehaAltaf and @NJLahori to be speaking out, giving courage and support to other victims. The shame is not your’s, it is our society’s, that you had to suffer in silence. Kudos for speaking out #NoMoreChildAbuse https://t.co/rNENxuNs82
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) January 14, 2018
2. She kept quiet to protect her family’s honour. But now she feels empowered.
Thank you for this. I have kept quiet to protect my family's honor for over 30 years. I'm starting to feel more empowered and the time to reveal may happen soon.
— Baby Cool's Biggest Fan 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷 (@prgirrll) January 16, 2018
3. A journalist and filmmaker, Sana may not have had the courage to share her own story, but she surely appreciated the movement.
https://twitter.com/sanabucha/status/952559786821931009
4. Another celeb, Fifi Haroon implored people to listen carefully to what their kids have to say, to be able to detect such incidents of abuse early on. Perhaps, even prevent them.
Sexual abuse can occur in families even & crosses class barriers. Victims/survivors have been silenced too long – shame should be the perpetrator's.
Listen to yr kids, watch them, notice behavior changes that could tell of a deeper discomfort #JusticeforZainab #NoMoreChildAbuse https://t.co/sZg3iPprvE— Fifi Haroon (@fifiharoon) January 14, 2018
5. Sending love and support from India!
@NJLahori you have a brave heart woman.. salute. Though i personally don't kno u but i respect u. With loads of brotherly love from #India…!
— Prithvi Raj. N (@Lone_Wolf_1990) January 13, 2018
Nadia Jamil, overwhelmed with the stories and support she had received, also expressed her gratitude and respect for every individual who chose to speak up.
Love you, you incredibly tough, beautiful & talented woman! Feel proud to have survived it, moved on & learned no one will respect by body or me, if I don’t.
New respect for speaking out & giving others the courage 2 speak out & know, they are not alone. These kids CAN/WILL heal https://t.co/RILQsuvvak— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) January 14, 2018
In another one of her tweets, she even advocated the importance of educating one’s kids about the difference between good touch and bad touch.
Allah protect her. And you protect her. Always. Teach her to talk to you and do the good touch bad touch talk pic.twitter.com/IO1JTUhnPt
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) January 16, 2018
Abuse at any age, particularly during one’s childhood, can scar a person for life. These stories only prove that rather that we must take ever step we can to counter this terrible evil. Educate and protect children and empower victims to speak up so that the healing can begin.