It’s been a rough couple of days for Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy.
Firstly, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy brought to the light how a doctor acted unprofessionally with her sister. The post spread like wildfire, leading to news spreading about the apparent firing of the doctor. The Internet lost its shit and a debate broke out over whether the act was harassment or not.
Some people stood up for Sharmeen.
https://www.facebook.com/GeoUrduDotTv/videos/1543530729029747/
Others, not so much.
#ChachiBotoxMurdabaad @sharmeenochinoy DR. Should get his job back AKU hospital.
— Waqar Zaka (@ZakaWaqar) October 26, 2017
Victim blaming was rampant, Sharmeen was brutally trolled and Pakistanis tried to legitimately harass her as well.
However, after the entire fiasco, Sharmeen finally took to social media to explain her stance in a detailed statement.
https://twitter.com/sharmeenochinoy/status/925242089444651009
Sharmeen admitted that some of her words were “poorly chosen.” However, she goes on to explain how the doctor did, in fact, display immensely inappropriate behavior. She concluded by stating that she refuses to stay silent in the face of harassment.
Her tweets garnered mixed responses. Some people derived the following message:
https://twitter.com/sei_saye/status/925244305970737153
However, Shahbaz Taseer stepped in to side with Sharmeen.
https://twitter.com/ShahbazTaseer/status/925248695729360896
And he continued to do so for all those who didn’t quite understand where Sharmeen was coming from.
https://twitter.com/BarfiPakistani/status/925252868164280320
https://twitter.com/ShahbazTaseer/status/925254670771261441
In fact, he even combatted naysayers who still refused to believe that this is, indeed, harassment.
Still I would say the term "harassment" is so cheap. you should not have used this word… next time be careful..
— Muhammad Owais 🇵🇰 (@xmowais) October 31, 2017
https://twitter.com/ShahbazTaseer/status/925247931313160192
Some pointed out how the doctor’s actions that Sharmeen brought to light added a new dimension to the case.
Commenting on photos adds a completely different dimension. You did not say this before but made Friend Request the ground.
— Anis Motiwala (@anismotiwala) October 31, 2017
However, some maintained that this was not harassment.
https://twitter.com/muhammadbellal/status/925251565098885120
Despite that, many people were glad that Sharmeen finally spoke up to clear the air.
breath of fresh air
— maryam (@maryamful) October 31, 2017
And some even thanked her for the same.
Unfortunately we Pakistanis( so called Educated Urban breed) have no sense of Professional responsibilities
Thanks for being loud & clear— Aina (@A_ProudCivilian) October 31, 2017
People weighed in with their opinions that resonated with Sharmeen’s statement.
Some professions we trust ourselves and our privacy with. Doctors/Teachers must not abuse this. If they do, it constitutes as harassment.
— Ahsan Raza (@AhsanRazaUK) October 31, 2017
And some people pointed out how we fail to understand boundaries people set for themselves.
People fail to understand that everyone has boundaries which we must respect.
— Areeba (@aree_bae) October 31, 2017
The fact that women are continuously silenced in the face of harassment was also pointed out.
It is sad to see how they try to silence women who speak up about harassment and consent
— Areeba (@aree_bae) October 31, 2017
Sharmeen’s statement definitely changes the narrative of the case in her favor. Many naysayers are now reconsidering their stance.
What is your take on this? Let us know in the comments.
