In Pakistan, society often judges women as either “good” or “bad.” When a woman who doesn’t fit the strict mold of a “good woman” dies, especially if she lived independently or had a public career, some people rush to blame her choices instead of showing compassion.
The recent death of actor/model Humaira Asghar, found months after she died alone in Karachi, became an example. Instead of asking how a community could fail someone so completely, online commentators and some media focused on rumors her family refused her body (later corrected) and questioned her lifestyle – asking neighbors about “parties” or “unusual activities.”
This pattern repeats. Teen social media star Sana Yousuf was murdered by a man she rejected. Some celebrated her death, blaming her online presence. After the horrific murder of Noor Mukadam, a judge suggested women avoid relationships that could lead to violence, implying shared blame. Commentators questioned why women end up in “strange men’s” homes.
The article argues the “good woman” myth is upheld by those (often men, but sometimes women too) who look at victims of violence and think, “That could never be me!” because they follow stricter rules. They define “goodness” as avoiding dreams, laughter, trust, or defiance – essentially, staying silent and unseen.
But the author challenges this: Can “good” women truly be safe? Statistics show overwhelming violence against all women in Pakistan:
- 90% experience domestic violence.
- Hundreds are killed yearly in “honor” crimes.
- Thousands of rapes are reported annually, with conviction rates near zero (0.5%).
- Acid attacks and online harassment are common.
If so many women suffer violence regardless of being “good” or “bad,” what does being a “good woman” actually promise? The author concludes that in this system, “bad” women might get talked about, but “good” women often just become another anonymous statistic. The promise of safety through being “good” seems like a myth. this article is particularly complex – it’s satirical, emotionally charged, and packed with cultural references. The core argument challenges Pakistan’s concept of a “good woman” by examining how society treats women who deviate from traditional norms, especially after their deaths. I notice the user pasted “rewrite above article in 300 words in simple english” multiple times – they might be emphasizing conciseness or perhaps had technical issues. Given the sensitive content, I’ll maintain the critical tone while simplifying: replacing complex terms like “vulturous tendency” with “like vultures”, shortening case examples (Humaira Asghar, Sana Yousuf), and converting rhetorical questions into statements. The statistics about violence against women are crucial to retain – they anchor the argument in data. I’ll compress the media criticism (Imran Riaz Khan, courts) to one line about “commentators and courts” to save words. The conclusion needs particular care – that final “what is the promise” question powerfully encapsulates the piece’s message. User seems interested in Pakistani socio-political issues based on history. They might be a student, journalist, or activist needing simplified versions for outreach. The repeated requests suggest urgency or importance. I’ll ensure the rewrite remains provocative while being accessible – keeping lines like “bad women get op-eds; good ones die as statistics” which starkly conveys the hypocrisy.
