Veteran Pakistani actress Sania Saeed has sparked an important conversation on gender relations, arguing that children should be taught dignity, mutual respect, and healthy interactions rather than being raised in environments that strictly separate boys and girls.
During her recent appearance on ‘Something Haute’, the acclaimed actress candidly shared her views on gender segregation and its impact on society. A clip from the interview has since gone viral on social media.
Sania said, “We constantly say that men and women should be kept apart in schools, colleges, and even universities. But this very separation creates problems. We never teach them how to interact with one another respectfully.”
Expanding on her argument, she pointed to the prevalence of gender-based crimes in South Asia.
“The highest number of gender-based crimes exists in our region India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh where segregation is most common. In countries where segregation is less prevalent, gender-based crimes are also fewer. Why is this so difficult to understand?” she questioned.
The actress emphasized that parents should focus on instilling values of respect and decorum from an early age.
“Why can't you teach your children how to interact respectfully? What else is upbringing if not this? If these values are not practiced at home, then no number of books or films will teach them. But if human dignity, the sanctity of relationships, and mutual respect are practiced within the household, no one in the world can teach that child something wrong because their mind simply won't accept it,” she added.
Her remarks resonated with many social media users, who praised her perspective on coexistence and respectful interaction.
One user wrote, “She is talking about coexistence with respect, and that's absolutely right. We need to see each other as humans first. We can't erase men or women, but we can teach them to interact in a healthy and dignified way.”
Another commented, “We have to teach children from a young age to study together and respect one another.”
Also Read: Harassment feud over! Mamya Shajaffar and Arsalan Butt sign settlement agreement
A third user agreed, saying, “She's right. Unnecessary curiosity and attraction often increase when boys and girls are kept apart. In co-education, people usually behave more naturally.”
Also Read: Kanwal Farooq breaks down recalling ‘painful marriage and divorce trauma’
Sania Saeed's remarks have ignited debate online, with many applauding her call for a shift from segregation based thinking toward a culture rooted in dignity, empathy, and mutual respect.
Also Read: Asim Azhar shares deeply personal ‘Muharram’ reflection