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What is a woman's worth in the society? Is she an equal? Is she a commodity?
Usman Ghani, probably had no idea that the story he would share on Twitter would resonate so much with desi social media that it would go viral in hours.
All he wanted to do was share the cautionary tale about a friend whose promising future was shattered because her parents forced her into a marriage she wasn't interested in.
Something's been pinching me for some days now. Thought of letting it out of my system by sharing it here. Here goes.......
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
There was this girl in my school, back in 90's. Brilliant, studious, hard working, very confident, a topper, a debater, a class prefect....
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
We were class fellows. She was the kind of girl with whom boys talked after rehearsing. Despite mad competition between us, we were friends.
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
In his thread notes, Usman said that his friend had completed her masters in engineering and later joined a prestigious university as lecturer.
But she had to give it all up for an arranged marriage.
An arranged marriage in a well off family meant that she had to quit job & live as a house wife. This wasn't all, guy was a college dropout.
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
She resisted as much as she could. But after sometime, she agreed to everything saying, "my parents are too old& scared of me being single".
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
Despite having agreed to marriage to appease her parents, her conjugal life turned out to be a nightmare. Soon she had to deal with an abusive husband who was supported by his family.
She kept quiet despite everything because she didn't want to want to hurt her parents.
Very recently she texted me that her husband had beaten her and given her talaaq twice and if after two times talaaq she could live with him
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
Shocked, I asked why would she live with a man so abusive and so insulting.
Her reply was, "My parents are too old.... sick and scared."— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
Shaken from his conversation with his friend, Usman took to social media to beseech parents to raise their daughters to be equal to men and allow them their independence.
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He also begged women not to compromise for the sake of appeasing society, no matter what.
It does not matter if you're thirty or thirty five, do not marry, I say DO NOT MARRY a man you feel is unsuitable for you.
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
Parents! Don't panic if your girl is in 30's & single. Let her pursue her dreams. Don't blackmail your girl for marriage. This isn't love.
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
Girls! It's great to have a loving and caring life partner. But if love and care is not there, walk away. Have means and money to walk away.
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
Parents! Teach your sons to respect women. Teach them that they're marrying a human being and they're equals. Let your daughter-in-law work.
— Usman Ghani (@UGpk) February 15, 2017
The viral story proves that one's equality and dignity should never be compromised on.