Daily Times

Qandeel Baloch belonged to a rural area of Multan and spent her childhood in poverty. But she did not let her social background define who she was. She defied all odds to become a social media sensation through her bold videos on Facebook. In her life, she was the target of moral policing brigade that dictates the way women and girls should appear and behave. Qandeel Baloch was hated for being able to choose what she wanted to be, because Pakistani society does not like women who make their own choices. Baloch had held a mirror for the society. She showed how the patriarchal society couldn’t accept a woman who is blunt and does whatever she pleases. Those who were angry at her “vulgar” videos and pictures were the first one to comment on her Facebook posts and used abusive language while giving lectures on morality. Baloch celebrated her sexuality in a manner that was unknown to Pakistan, which is why she was hated and was seen as a threat.

Although some reactions to her death were disappointing, a lot of youngsters who are tired of being dictated to about their life choices celebrated her as a rebellious heroine. Some women say she was a real feminist because she was killed for living her life as a liberated woman, refusing to follow societal norms

Baloch supported her family financially, including the brother who killed her. Her father describes her as his “best friend” and says “she was my son not daughter”. Baloch was born in a conservative town of Punjab. She was married off in her teens and later became victim of domestic abuse. Such is the fate of most girls living in rural and conservative areas of the country, but what makes Baloch different is that she refused to surrender to the life that she had not chosen. A year later, she decided to walk out of the abusive marriage. That’s when she started doing what women in Pakistan are not allowed to do – living life on her own terms.

Baloch’s original name was Fauzia Azeem, which she had changed after joining media. A social media page that has compiled stories by people who were close to the slain celebrity to celebrate her legacy, recently spoke to her sister who told that when she met Baloch two years ago, she asked her why she had changed her name to Qandeel. “She said that she changed her name because the people she worked with didn’t know she was a single woman working alone, that she didn’t have any support from her family. She would say that people don’t know that I am actually alone, that the rest of my relatives are not with me. They don’t know that. But if she told them her name was Qandeel Baloch, they’d assume she was a Baloch girl. This would make them think twice before saying anything to her. They’d be scared of saying anything to her if they thought she belonged to the Baloch family.”

Baloch’s sister blames Mufti Abdul Qawi, media and the public for enabling her murder. “First it was Mufti Qawi, and then it was the media who caused my sister’s death”, she says.

The reaction to Baloch’s murder was rather disappointing. There were selective condemnations and responses that indirectly justified her murder. The responses exposed the country’s acceptance of the mindset that sees women as properties and wants to take ownership of their bodies. “What is a man supposed to do when his sister indulges in such vulgar activities?” some asked. A year after her death, the confusion persists. Even those who think the murder was wrong continue to condemn her for the activities that gained her fame.

Although some reactions to her death were disappointing, a lot of youngsters who are tired of being dictated to about their life choices celebrated her as a rebellious heroine. Some women say she was a real feminist because she was killed for living her life as a liberated woman, refusing to follow societal norms.

A year after her death, Pakistan remembers Baloch as a courageous woman who was killed for her courage.

@gabeeno

The murder of #QandeelBaloch still gives a heart ache cuz it was a collective murderer.. the whole society killed a young girl by choice!

(Meena Gabeena)

@NazranaYusufzai

If anyone out there is looking for a person who’s life defines bravery- her name was #QandeelBaloch

(Nazrana Ghaffar, Journalist and activist)

@mahamsi49180931

When you try to quite someone forcefully you actually make everyone listen them with their screams…#Rip #QandeelBaloch

(Maham Siddiqui, Journalist)

@samiakhan?123

You’ll forever be remembered – the unforgettable full of life woman, your tremendous courage will always be inspiring. RIP #QandeelBaloch

(Samia Khan)

Rest in power, Baloch. May we be able to avenge you.

The writer is currently the assistant editor at Daily Times. She Tweets at @AiliaZehra and can be reached at ailiazehra2012@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, July 16^th , 2017.