Pakistani actor Ayesha Omar has spoken about how image-based abuse severely affected her career and mental well-being. She revealed that private vacation photos were shared online without her consent, leading to professional setbacks and emotional distress. Her remarks highlight growing concerns over digital privacy violations and online harassment.
Speaking to BBC Global Women, Omar described how personal images from a trip to Thailand were accessed and circulated without permission. She said the photos showed her in casual vacation clothing with friends. According to her, the content was taken from her personal device and posted online without her knowledge.
Omar said the incident had a direct impact on her professional life and opportunities. She explained that she lost several work projects due to cultural expectations around public image. She also said the experience caused significant psychological distress and long-term anxiety about being secretly filmed or monitored.
The discussion was part of a broader report by gender justice organisation Chayn, which examined cases of image-based abuse across multiple countries. The report emphasized that harmful abuse is not limited to explicit images, but includes any non-consensual sharing of personal photos. It highlighted how consent, rather than nudity, is the key issue in such cases.
The report also included other cases involving Pakistani women, showing how leaked or manipulated images have damaged relationships, reputations, and mental health. Experts warned that digital manipulation and revenge-based sharing continue to increase the risks for women online. The findings underline growing calls for stronger safeguards and accountability from social media platforms.