Cyber Bullying and Harassment

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Cyber bullying has become a favourite pass time for people. Social media tweets and posts provide easy weapon for every tom, dick and harry to judge, bash and harass the victim. The victims of cyber bullying are often famous personalities and celebrities who maintain an active social life on twitter, facebook and instagram. Talk about Malala, Gulalai, Mahira Khan, and more recently Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy!

In a society like ours women become easy targets of cyber bullying but what is worrisome here is not the bullying itself or the character targeting of victims in question. Actually, the point of concern here is the pattern of opinions and thoughts that continues to emerge from this online blaming and shaming. It reminds us that this society in spite of all its efforts towards progressive moderation and empowerment of women through education and rights, still stands confused and divided over issues that concern women at large.

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Women like Malala and Sharmeen have some loyal haters in Pakistan who go to any extent to accuse and doubt them at every step and at every forum. While it is perfectly fine to have difference in opinion regarding an issue but bullying women who have stood up for girls’ education and spoken out against sexual harassment speaks a great deal about where we stand as a society and presents a bitter reality of disbelief, distrust and doubt that women face in our society each day.

Sharmeen Chinoy's latest episode about harassment spread like wildfire and incited outpour of hateful comments that not only blamed her for using her celebrity power against an ‘innocent doctor and father of four kids’ but also questioned her sisters clothing, making the harassment look 'well deserved' and 'invited'. Amidst all this debate, the actual crime got lost and appeared as innocent as a mere Facebook request that could have been easily ignored.

Lets face the truth, violation of code of conduct and unethical breach of patients’ right by a qualified doctor at a time of emergency is a crime by every book.

For those who are debating whether sending facebook request was a sexual harassment this violation itself proves that Sharmeen’s sister was not treated as just a medical subject but as a female and her sexuality became the point of interest to the doctor rather than her ailment hence it was a sexual harassment by every definition. Others who blame Sharmeen for using her celebrity status over a minor issue that cost the innocent doctor his job should learn that he not only broke the ethical code but also trust of all other female patients and staff. A harasser should never go around uncharged. A similar tweet or even complaint from some common women would never have sparked this much attention and indeed it is this attention that will educate men and women to differentiate between a medical examination and other and speak up whenever they feel that their trust has been violated.