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Pakistani Men Can’t Handle Women’s Refusal To Have Children

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  • “Exercising bodily autonomy is a basic human right,” says Author Noshe Butt

A social media user posted that she is a 31-year-old and she has consciously chosen not to have children ever, sparking a debate on Twitter. The remarks sparked harsh criticism from men in particular.

Demands for women’s bodily autonomy and gender equality are often met with criticism in conservative Pakistan. The Aurat March 2018 came under harsh criticism for using the slogan “Mera Jism Meri Marzi” (my body, my choice). The slogan demands bodily autonomy and an end to gender-based violence.

The social media user wrote: “I am 31 years old and over the last few years I have very consciously chosen not to have children ever. Marriage, maybe. Children, no.”


Her remarks sparked a debate online, with many men also giving their two cents on the matter.


Another social media user wrote: “Men as complete strangers are mad that a woman they don’t know or impacts their life in no way doesn’t want to have children. Imagine what the same men do to women who are attached to them in different relationships.”


Meanwhile, some supported her decision, calling it a “personal choice”.


While talking to Dissent Today, Noshe Butt, author of Mera Jism Tumhari Marzi? (My body, your choice?), said the decision to have children completely lies with a woman.
“Family and society cannot dictate when a woman could or should have children. It is her body, her choice,” she added.
She further added that exercising bodily autonomy is a basic human right.

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  • “Exercising bodily autonomy is a basic human right,” says Author Noshe Butt

A social media user posted that she is a 31-year-old and she has consciously chosen not to have children ever, sparking a debate on Twitter. The remarks sparked harsh criticism from men in particular.

Demands for women’s bodily autonomy and gender equality are often met with criticism in conservative Pakistan. The Aurat March 2018 came under harsh criticism for using the slogan “Mera Jism Meri Marzi” (my body, my choice). The slogan demands bodily autonomy and an end to gender-based violence.

The social media user wrote: “I am 31 years old and over the last few years I have very consciously chosen not to have children ever. Marriage, maybe. Children, no.”


Her remarks sparked a debate online, with many men also giving their two cents on the matter.


Another social media user wrote: “Men as complete strangers are mad that a woman they don’t know or impacts their life in no way doesn’t want to have children. Imagine what the same men do to women who are attached to them in different relationships.”


Meanwhile, some supported her decision, calling it a “personal choice”.


While talking to Dissent Today, Noshe Butt, author of Mera Jism Tumhari Marzi? (My body, your choice?), said the decision to have children completely lies with a woman.
“Family and society cannot dictate when a woman could or should have children. It is her body, her choice,” she added.
She further added that exercising bodily autonomy is a basic human right.

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