Actor speaks out against victim-blaming and comments on women’s clothing and safety
Mumbai. Women’s safety continues to remain a major concern across the country. While questions are being raised about security arrangements, comments about women’s clothing and their movements have also sparked debate. Actor Saqib Saleem has now spoken out against such attitudes.
Saqib Saleem shared a note on Instagram expressing his anger at people who blame women for incidents of harassment or violence based on their clothes and lifestyle. He urged people to look at women as human beings and respect their consent.
In his post, the actor wrote: “Before making them goddesses, first consider them human. Before touching them, ask for permission. You say their clothes were short, that ‘she wanted it’—her clothes aren’t short, your thinking is. Whether it’s a skirt or a sari, women in this country are in danger. Be a girl in this country for one day and see.”
Saqib’s comments come amid a wider discussion about women’s safety and the tendency to hold women responsible for the clothes they wear or the way they live.
Several celebrities have raised similar concerns
This is not the first time that a celebrity has spoken about women’s safety and societal attitudes towards women. The source also mentions actors including Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar, who have previously raised questions about women’s safety.
Khushbu Patani, sister of actress Disha Patani, has also frequently posted about women’s safety and law and order. She recently raised concerns over the security of women in public spaces.
Kriti Sanon also questioned the burden of safety precautions on women
Actress Kriti Sanon had earlier raised questions about women’s safety on Daughter’s Day. She questioned why women are routinely expected to take precautions such as sharing their live location, carrying pepper spray or booking cabs at night.
According to the source, Kriti said that the real celebration would come when daughters could walk home alone at night without fear.
In a note shared on Instagram, she highlighted how measures such as sharing live locations, carrying pepper spray, booking a cab instead of walking and calling someone for reassurance have become part of many women’s everyday lives.
She said the real occasion to celebrate would be the day when a woman can travel home alone at night, sit in a park after dark, wear clothes of her choice, use public transport without fear and spend time in public places without worrying about being attacked.
