Daring to dream, Farza Iqbal defies social pressure to marry by the ‘ideal age’ of 25, becoming the voice of many unheard women in Pakistan. Amidst the challenges of everyday existence in Karachi, she tackles the most popular subject at our desi get-togethers: ‘women and their marriages’.
Cunning people, including family and friends, never fail to subtly bring up marriage at events like birthday celebrations, bridal showers, wedding receptions, or even funerals, which makes women uneasy.
Women hear this saying all the time: “Shaadi karlo warna umar nikal jayegi [Get married otherwise your age will pass].” Farza does think that modern women no longer rush into marriage, though. They are able to support themselves.
In an interview with tv, Farza stated that educated and self-sufficient women of today are aware of “toxic behaviors and red flags, leading to higher expectations for a healthy, respectful, and supportive partnership.”
Sadly, a girl’s existence in South Asian households is split into several stages, all of which eventually lead to marriage. Women are under pressure to match their aspirations with marriage and their husbands as they get older. The urge to’settle down’ increases as they get closer to their twenties. God forbid a woman remain single past the age of thirty or more, as she is frequently seen as a failure.
