Fat shaming is basically just in the way how you tell someone they are overweight. And what makes it worst is the fact that people body shame women even during their pregnancy when it’s very natural for a woman to gain some extra kilos.
Recently Seemal Hashmi, a famous City 42 anchor and City@10 morning show host, appeared at the show “Juggun @9” hosted by Juggun Kazmi on 24 News and opened up about her struggle with fat shaming at her workplace when she was pregnant.
On being asked about her experience with weight stigma she said:
“While I was hosting my show City@10 on city 42, I gained a lot of weight due to pregnancy and to my surprise my colleague with an intent of discriminating me for my weight commented that since I am not in perfect shape anymore the management has decided to replace me with the anchor who was hosting the show during my maternity leave.”
It is pertinent to mention that Ana Yousaf, the news anchor of City 42 and a good friend of Seemal, was the stand in host of City@10 when Seemal was on break.
She also added that she was extremely devastated at her coworker’s remarks and was sad to know how anyone can be insensitively prejudiced at work places. Although she had always been criticized for being skinny as a young girl which was equally condemn-able but body shaming a pregnant woman? That’s not something we expect to face in this century.
When Juggun further questioned Seemal on how she herself dealt with the situation? Seemal replied that she totally went upfront with the matter and straight away asked the management about the controversial remarks while questioning the authorities, instead of getting embarrassed or feeling discouraged.
Social stigmas like fat shaming could only be de-rooted if the whole society takes a firm stand against it at and we as individuals instead of judging people for their bodies and weight become more accepting, tolerant and loving.
Tell us in the comments below what do you think should be the best response to someone who tries to body shame or discriminate you for your physical appearance?
Leave a Reply