Veteran Pakistani actress Sania Saeed has sparked important conversations after her recent appearance on the FHM podcast, where she candidly discussed issues surrounding women’s safety, parenting, and deep-rooted gender inequality in society.

Sania emphasized that women are often most unsafe within their own homes, where patriarchal norms grant men unchecked power. “Most violence against women happens inside the home, because we are part of a system that allows men to act without consequence,” she stated.

The celebrated actress also addressed the societal mindset around parenting, saying emotional and psychological readiness is essential before having children — something many couples lack. “In our society, the parenting model is authoritarian. Parents are often so consumed by their own struggles that bringing children into that environment is an injustice to them,” she explained.

Sania clarified that perfection isn’t required for parenthood, but the decision to have children should come when the environment is supportive of a child’s proper upbringing. She criticized the outdated belief that having more children increases a woman’s worth. “It’s not about quantity. If parents cannot raise children responsibly, they are doing them a disservice,” she said.

Highlighting societal neglect, she pointed out that many abandoned children — left on streets or at welfare centers — are girls, showing how deeply gender discrimination is rooted in the culture.

She also warned that children who grow up without proper guidance don’t just “raise themselves” — they often grow into individuals disconnected from society’s values.

“These issues exist across all social classes,” Sania noted, urging that parents must do more to understand their children rather than dismissing their emotional needs.

Her powerful words are resonating widely, opening up dialogue on the pressing social issues often left unspoken in Pakistani society.

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