{"id":8563,"date":"2023-09-28T00:40:11","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T00:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/mera-jism-meri-marzi-has-nothing-to-do-with-clothing-zhalay-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-09-28T00:40:11","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T00:40:11","slug":"mera-jism-meri-marzi-has-nothing-to-do-with-clothing-zhalay-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/mera-jism-meri-marzi-has-nothing-to-do-with-clothing-zhalay-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Mera Jism Meri Marzi\u2019 has nothing to do with clothing: Zhalay | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Actor and model Zhalay Sarhadi recently sat down for a candid interview where she expressed her thoughts on feminism in Pakistan. Recounting the long-held notoriety of \u2018Mera Jism Meri Marzi<\/em>\u2019, Sarhadi slammed the slogan\u2019s critics for misconstruing its emphasis on bodily autonomy. \u201cIt has nothing to do with clothing. It has to do with [how] you cannot do anything to my body without my consent,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

The slogan has been in hot waters since it first appeared on the protest scene in 2018 at the first Aurat March in Karachi. Over the years, feminist organizers, activists, and workers have repeatedly shed light on the slogan\u2019s utility in raising awareness on reproductive rights, gender-based violence, and consent education. Despite countless rebuttals, \u2018Mera Jism Meri Marzi<\/em>\u2019 continues to be misrepresented as a Western propaganda aiming to destroy traditional values.<\/p>\n

Speaking on her own contentions with Aurat March, Sarhadi offered that the discourse around the slogan is emblematic of a wider problem. The Digest Writer <\/em>actor insisted that Aurat March needs to articulate its demands in a \u201cproper way\u201d to get them across to the public effectively.<\/p>\n

\u201cAggression\u201d in feminist spaces detracts the focus from important matters at hand and causes potential allies to ‘back off\u2019, such as the case with certain slogans, despite their right intent. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong with \u2018Mera Jism Meri Marzi\u2019<\/em>, but people have attributed all sorts of \u2018stupid\u2019 meaning to it,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Sarhadi also pointed out the varying attitudes towards feminism in Pakistan and rubbished \u201cdistorted\u201d and \u201cwarped\u201d views of the movement. Calling out people who resist the \u2018feminist\u2019 label, she pointedly added, \u201cIf you believe everyone should have equal rights, then you\u2019re a feminist!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n