Acha, to all of my ladies in Pakistan, it doesn’t matter what city you live in, what age you are or how independent you may be- there are ‘some’ things girls in this country just cannot do that boys can. I use ‘some’ loosely because that is what our parents and SOCIETY tell us. Some is just code for basically everything.
For example,
1. Don’t stay out too late
‘Beti, 11 tho bhaj gaye hai, ab aap ghar ajao, theek hai?’ Doesn’t matter if your brother or guy friends have been out of the house until 6 in the morning with their friends, a minute after 11? Sorry jaan, ghar poncho.
2. You can’t drive alone
‘Okay phir license kyun banwaya tha…’
3. “Bhai ko sath le ke jao“
‘Men will take advantage of you, aap larki ho, kisi larkay ko lay jao.’ Not only does this apply to going to places like Liberty, Hafeez Center, Fortress and the purana shehr – it’s basically every place in Lahore you won’t feel comfortable wearing jeans in. Unless you have an armed escort (of larkay only), don’t bother leaving your house alone.
4. You can’t go abroad for college
Nope, doesn’t matter if you’ve topped in all of your classes and scored a scholarship, going abroad for college is out of the question. Aap larki ho, who will look after you?
5. Don’t be too aggressive
It’s great you have opinions and a voice, just don’t speak too loud, aggressive larkiyaan aren’t proper.
6. Don’t talk to too many boys
If girls have too many guy friends, it’s not right. Log kya kahein gay?
7. Don’t argue
Sometimes when a fight with a significant other or man is too much, learn to just let it be. Let them think they are right, no arguing because aap larki ho.
8. Sleepovers
Mushkilo sai, sleepover ki ijaazat mil jaati hai, bhai 5 din keh liye murree chala gaya and no issue. OK. Doesn’t matter if you have known their whole family since you were born. Aap larki ho.
9. Bhai ki girlfriend hai? MashAllah jaldi bahu laega humara beta. Tumhara boyfriend? hahahahahhahahahaha. Khabardaar.
Don’t for a second think that just because it’s okay for your brother to have a girlfriend that it’s somehow okay for you to tell your parents about your bae. Theek hai? Woh larka hai.
10. Travel alone
Don’t bother asking for permission to go on a trip with your friends, koi faida nai hai. Unless your parents are going with you, the extra disappointment is not necessary. Don’t worry, your guy friends will immediately get ijaazat, they can tell you about it.
11. Parties or a shaadi, alone.
Anything that may go after 11 pm AND they’re going to be boys there? No chance. Bye.
12. Not getting out of going to family weddings/events
Really don’t want to go to that family dinner at your phupo‘s house? Haha, TOO BAD. You have to, they will be ‘asking about you’ Of course your brother and all your guy cousins will be allowed to stay home because larkey.
13. ANYTHING LITERALLY AT ALL
Kyun keh aap larki ho.
BTW, this is not a hate piece against all the larkey in our lives, you guys can’t always control how you’re treated just as us women can’t . Jeee, we get it, it’s Pakistan, things are different, it’s not safe and women have to be more careful in our day-to-day lives. Realistically, yes this is true.
But at the same time, we have to progress as a nation and as a generation. Let’s make it okay for women to have just as much fun as guys, nai? Okay bye love you.
Cover image via: Best of Celebrities / YouTube