Actor Faiza Gillani recently shared her perspective on feminism in a candid conversation with Iffat Omar on her podcast. Though she has never participated in the Aurat March, Faiza offered an insightful critique of how feminism is practiced and perceived in Pakistan. According to Gillani, those at the forefront of feminist movements often reside at the “extremes,” overlooking the real struggles of the women they claim to represent. “The activists waving the feminist flag don’t understand the depth of the issues faced by women suffering daily,” she shared.
As a self-proclaimed ‘big feminist’, Faiza emphasized that the feminist narrative must change to address the issues impacting most Pakistani women: physical abuse, educational inequality, discrimination, and blackmail. She believes that feminism’s core purpose is to empower women to make choices freely, without societal judgment. “Whether I wear a dupatta or jeans, or even a niqab, it’s my choice,” she asserted, challenging the assumption that conservative dressing equals oppression.
For the unversed, Gillani began her career in 1996 with Ranjish and proved her craft with notable outings like Lal Kabootar, Pagal Khana, and Barzakh, Gillani brings a voice of authenticity and grounded realism to discussions of feminism, championing respect for each woman’s personal journey.
