Meet this young woman activist of Tik Tok
Clearly, we need to build a new language to address women’s issues. We are equally in a need of women who speak it. The ones who have an intention to re-shape, reframe and demystify existential perspectives about women and their movements. Who, use any discourse available, to raise generational awareness, fight taboo topics and create a space where viral conversations about huge issues take place. Their assertiveness, no matter the intensity of flak is indomitable. They use all public platforms even Tik Tok to initiate talks about the social oppression of women. They get criticized and reported, but that does not bother them, as it an old and familiar story to them. Such women are rare, so is their determination to go on. Their content on Tik Tok about the women’s real-life struggles gives meaning to the app’s otherwise pointless content.
Here is one of such brave voices that is distinctive amongst all.
Mariam Jeelani
Born to an Urdu speaking Muslim family of Karachi, Mariam Jeelani has always been a deep thinker from a young age. With, interests in unusual subjects like, anthropology, spirituality and culture, she knew that her words had the power to impact others and that was enough for her to share her thoughts with the masses.
She uses online space as a public space to raise consciousness about gender-based discrimination. Her short videos on Tik Tok exude the resistance against patriarchy and gender- based violence. She talks openly about rape, domestic Violence, sexual Violence, and inequality. She believes that initiating something as small as conversations lead to much bigger results than one could imagine.
Such women are rare, so is their determination to go on. Their content on Tik Tok gives meaning to the app’s otherwise pointless content.
But that is not all, she is also a vivid educator and often seem to educate women about their basic Islamic rights. To have that extensive knowledge of drawing a difference between Islamic rights and cultural manipulation, Mariam owes it to her curiosity of finding answers. Describing her love for learning, she says, “I have always wanted to learn more, to explore more, to understand more. I would constantly try to analyse and understand the different perspectives”.
That passion for learning is another reason, she openly questions the female subordination culture and do so fearlessly. Her videos reflect the remarkable narratives of self-awareness, generating knowledge about taboo subjects.
When i asked Mariam do u think it will make any change she said, “i find myself regularly taken aback by the amount of impact my work has done.” For her there is no act too small when working towards a change.
Her videos are not only limited to raise consciousness about gender- based discrimination but every video has a unique message. The subjects like labour exploitation, social stratification and hierarchical cultures are often addressed in her videos, making it another reason to garner hundreds of thousands of shares and likes. But, that does not come without a flak. Her messages often inflict a damage to some men’s sense of entitlement, so angry comments are very frequent.
Speaking of dealing with such comments, she says, that such comments end up proving her point as to why the matter is such a taboo or stigma. She explains that “it is a combination of ignorance and insecurity that results in their aggression and hostility online.”
On contrary, she is always open to healthy discussions, as for her it is important to challenge perspectives to further knowledge and unlearn unhealthy patterns of thought.
Asking about, why is it important to talk about such topics, there was an intellectual response of how such topics should be discussed at all levels in society from schools, to workplaces, to households, to reduce the damage and create awareness. She suggested, that government should introduce a national legislature to safeguard minorities. She believes that change does not have to be monumental. “It can be something as small as making someone feel understood, accepted heard or seen.”
The writer is a journalism student at the University of London, Birkbeck and is a channel coordinator at Quews Tv London. She can be reached at ([email protected]).
