A travel influencer’s recent trip to Islamabad has sparked a heated discussion on social media, focusing on the noticeable absence of women in public spaces in Pakistan. The influencer took to Instagram to share a reel recording her journey through various parts of Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital city. However, what stood out most in the video wasn’t the city’s beauty, but the glaring lack of women in public areas. In her post, she wrote: “HELLO ISLAMABAD. Ratio is 1:50 everywhere we go in this city. Something we noticed immediately as we landed… where my sisters at?”
The video included scenes from Islamabad’s airport, bustling marketplaces and popular tourist destinations. Despite the busy nature of these places, there were hardly any women to be seen.
The post quickly gained attention online, with many users commenting their thoughts and reactions. The comments section became a space for debate, with some people expressing concerns about safety for women and the cultural norms that might be keeping them out of sight. Others, however, tried to offer explanations for the gender imbalance in public spaces.
One user commented, “The place is looking very unsafe,” highlighting concerns about security for women. Another added, “What would you expect in a country where a girl child got shot for going to school, and these blind religious people call it West propaganda,” referencing societal issues that may contribute to women’s absence in public.
Several users dug deeper into the cultural and societal aspects at play. One person commented, “It’s not funny that those women are basically prisoners in their own homes,” shedding light on how many women are often confined due to cultural restrictions.
On the other hand, some users presented alternative perspectives, brushing aside the influencer’s observation. One individual remarked, “Men are working to feed the family,” suggesting that men dominate public spaces because they are more likely to be employed. Another user shared a personal story, saying, “I don’t know if all of them are like this, but I met some Pakistani men when living in London, and it was terrifying,” offering a more critical viewpoint on the culture.
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