I Am SAMAJ: Sahrish Kashif, youth advocate from Pakistan

Sexual violence is based on patriarchy across all levels. We all hold power at some stage and we should practice that in a positive way.

Sahrish Kashif is a youth advocate from Pakistan working on ending sexual and gender-based violence through community engagement, awareness, and youth-led action.

Sexual violence across everyday spaces

“Sexual violence in Pakistan is based on patriarchy which is not affecting just one gender but every other person who has lesser privilege and power against the oppressor. I can also share many incidents that I have personally faced as a young woman living in an urban state and capital (Islamabad). Once me and my friend were walking to a market at 8 pm when a car stopped by and the man inside kept calling me towards him. On another occasion, me and my friend were standing at a very famous area with a lot of people around when a security guard came and said, “konay ma chalo gye” (translation: will you go with me). There have been instances where we have been touched inappropriately and stalked by men.

In both these cases men were from different economic backgrounds but were men. The problem isn’t in one area, it’s at multiple levels: individual, community and state. At the individual level our morals and values are against what we practice, as a community our policing is always against the second gender, and at the state level the implementation is really weak because the implementers are practitioners of patriarchy.”

Victim blaming, fear, and silence

Sahrish explains what stands in the way of survivors accessing justice:

“I would say the challenges would be somewhat similar to another country in the South Asian region, previously the subcontinent. The majority of times it’s victim blaming. For example, in my story when I shared this with people around me, including my brother, the first response was why were you out late. Me being out was the fault, what the other person did wasn’t.

The other major barrier is fear and shame. Once I was coming back home with my mother and brothers from an educational place in the evening and we all were walking, and out of nowhere this one young man on a bike grabbed my butt and rushed. I was told not to tell my father because if I did maybe he would stop me going out and make me leave my education.

Moreover, public institutions are very judgmental and daunting. Police and legal support is not the same for all, and there are irrelevant and personal suggestions by people on duty. They would often recommend not to file a complaint, saying this isn’t a big deal. Also, delay of help and support – once I filed a complaint when I saw a woman was locked in a car, and the delayed response made the abuser get away easily.”

Change starts with individuals

“I believe the only way to bring change is to transform community mindset and individuals. Until we as individuals or a community do not consider an act as sexual violence, no policy or legal reforms would ever help. Youth have to transform themselves first, unlearn many things around violence and what violence is, and then mobilise and connect with other people within their community.

We are currently engaging young people in our communities to talk and reflect on such subjects as sexual violence. There are many amazing initiatives that curate short skits and perform them in rural and suburban areas of the country.

Over time I have understood that waiting for the power to come or exist means delayed change. We all hold power at some stage and we should practice that in a positive way. I try by making sure people around me won’t do something that could cause harm to others. And I will keep on spreading this, educating and making people around me aware of all that I know.”

A personal turning point

“I would say there are many, the major turning point was when I became a victim to TBGV. I started a small business during COVID and I received a call for an order, and when I attended that call the person, after greeting, made me listen to intense pornography. This is something I will never forget as I was only 19 years old at the time and it was intense for me to handle, as I can’t even explain this to anyone. From then onwards I always wanted to work and advocate.

Safety of all the people who go through terrible experiences every day just because they can’t say or have anyone to protect them.

Right information, keeping themselves updated regarding all the new policies or activities taking place around them, making sure they spread correct information and support everyone within their community. Nowadays social media is a great strength – youth need to use it for the best possible actions and purposes as well.”

Community-based change and accountability

“I would suggest that majorly they should support community-based initiatives and actions—it’s easier and more effective than creating new ones. Mobilising youth in every area to build awareness and spread correct information. Moreover, improving access to resources survivors need is significantly important. No survivor should ever feel that if they were rich or had power they would have been able to get justice more easily.

Access to good, gender-sensitive, trained police and legal staff. They should be trained on what words they are supposed to use while talking to a survivor; even doctors and nurses should be mindful. Trainings are very important, and accountability. There have been some cases where the survivor who went to seek help and register a complaint for a cyber crime was again violated by the cyber crime officer.”

Strength in collective action

“Youth networks, coalitions, and solidarity movements play a crucial role in driving meaningful change on sexual violence because they bring together collective voices that are often unheard at an individual level.

Vital roles as significant as in running a state’s economy. These collaborations will support in creating a regional support program where we do not have to wait for a saviour and can resolve our problems as a collective.”

“My message to other youth advocates across the region is that sexual violence is not a cross-cutting issue to be addressed indirectly – it is a core justice, protection, and dignity issue that must be prioritised in its own right.

We often think that once we become a professional we aren’t supposed to support, or everything is to be done by the state and government, which is not the right way to deal with problems. Every problem is our collective problem, not an individual’s.”

#IAmSAMAJ and I want to keep on educating and making people around me aware of all that I know.