"Women’s rights in Pakistan are strongly linked to democracy...Don’t let restrictions be imposed on us in our harassment case. We will not accept restrictions on social media under the pretext of harassment." Important words by @MunizaeJahangir https://www.dawn.com/news/1575116 

It is not journalists who are 'playing the woman card.' It's those hurling abuse & targeting them who have made this about gender. This must not be exploited by govt, parliament or anyone, to usher in undemocractic laws & regulations using paternalistic, protectionist narratives.

Abuse, harassment, attacks are a rule of law problem. Resultant self-censorship a democaracy issue. Those who display this behaviour & are involved in the commisison of offences make it about gender. Society bolsters and enables offenders by trivialising, deflecting & denying.

PECA was ushered in using false narratives such as the "protection of women." FIA is not the solution but part of the problem. What's required is accountability within government ranks and of the FIA, and introspection within all parties. Stated this before committee yesterday.

Those who are still equating "fake news" (questionable term & application itself) to abuse, harassment & threats across a spectrum, & are justifying the latter as an appropriate & proportionate response, are the reason women don't step forward, report or turn to court for relief.

This is true of women across the spectrum. Because from the time they experience something, to the time they process what's happenened, tell someone, the disbelief & discouragement they encounter by family, colleagues, society, LEAs, courts, breaks them. Some persist, not all can

Starts with pretense about it all being imagined till it's verbalised. Once verbalised, there's demand for proof. When proof is presented, it's not good enough, not really what they are alleging or threats of defamation. Each time bluff is called out, there is further deflection.

So yesterday when I heard the testimonies, it brought back every conversation, experience & case I am privy to - some ongoing. Women who've committed suicide, women who are undergoing depression & have suicidal thoughts, those who can't come forward & those who have filed cases.

While experiences and cases vary, there are commonalities. Social ostracisation & isolation, warnings & intimidation not to report or drop cases once registered. Impact on mental health, family life, professional advancement. So really, what you are saying is, let this continue.

Many of us stand by colleagues or those we do not even know, on principle, when they are wrongly targeted either by state or society. Irrespective of gender. Does not mean we always share their views or are in agreement. Sometimes we don't share their view at all. How it works.

As beneficiaries of such support which many men receive, reciprocation when the target happens to be another and in this case women, is a bare minimum expectation. The struggle for rule of law & democracy is a shared one. Not something men are leading or women are less worthy of.