No girl is safe: Grieving Sana Yousaf and the cost of visibility

June 19, 2025

The murder of 17-year-old TikTok star Sana Yousaf in Islamabad on June 2 has highlighted the ongoing crisis of violence against women in Pakistan. Yousaf, who gained 800,000 TikTok followers and nearly 500,000 Instagram followers by sharing her culture and joy, was allegedly killed by a man who had stalked her for months after she refused him. Her death has drawn parallels to other high-profile cases like Qandeel Baloch, Saman Abbas, and Noor Mukadam, revealing a pattern where women are killed for their visibility or perceived defiance of patriarchal norms.

Who is affected

Young women and girls in Pakistan, especially those with public profiles
Pakistani women worldwide who face cultural restrictions and threats
Social media personalities and content creators who challenge patriarchal norms
Families of victims of gender-based violence
Women across different social classes in Pakistan who experience daily limitations on their freedom

What action is being taken

Protests are occurring in response to Sana Yousaf's murder
Social media campaigns using hashtags #JusticeForSanaYousaf and #StopHonourKillings are raising awareness
Sana's father is requesting justice from authorities
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is documenting honor killing cases

Why it matters

The case represents a broader pattern of violence against women in Pakistan, with an estimated 1,000 honor killings annually
Sana's murder reflects how women's visibility and self-expression are still considered justifiable reasons for violence
The public reaction blaming the victim demonstrates the deeply entrenched patriarchal mindset in Pakistani society
The case highlights how control over women's bodies and futures extends beyond Pakistan's borders
The murder continues a pattern seen in other high-profile cases like Qandeel Baloch (2016), Saman Abbas, and Noor Mukadam (2021)

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices