#TryBeatingMeLightly Shows Pakistani Women Won't Stand For Wife-Beating Bill

A powerful photo series showcases women's reactions.

Pakistani photographer Fahhad Rajper says when he first heard about a proposed bill that would allow husbands to “lightly beat” their wives as discipline, it “gave me a disturbing feeling.”

The bill in question was part of a proposal by the Council of Islamic Ideology, a group that advises the Pakistani government on whether they think laws align with Islam. The council advised that husbands could “lightly” beat their wives for offenses like refusing sex, not dressing as her husband wishes or not bathing after sex or menstruation, the Washington Post reports.

But though the council purports to advise on Islamic teachings, plenty of Muslims -- including Rajper -- were incensed by their recommendation.

“Islam doesn’t preach [any] such thing, be it for a man or a woman,” he told The Huffington Post in an email. He said a “majority” of Pakistans do not approve of the bill, adding that “anyone who’s sane enough wouldn’t be okay with it.”

That’s why Rajper launched #TryBeatingMeLightly, a photo series showcasing Pakistani women’s reactions to the proposal. The captions of his black and white portraits were written by the subjects.

#TryBeatingMeLightly, I'll become the destruction you will never forsee.
Fahhad Rajper
-Adeeqa Lalwani, digital storyteller
#TryBeatingMeLightly - I'm the sun. Touch me and I will burn you like hell fire. I am light, you will try, but you can never stop me. You can never contain me. I am the kind of woman they name hurricanes after. I dare you, #TryBeatingMeLightly
Fahhad Rajper
-Rabya Ahmed, photo blogger
#TryBeatingMeLightly, and you'll regret it for the rest of your miserable life
Fahhad Rajper
-Sundus Rasheed, school teacher/radio jockey
#TryBeatingMeLightly - Tell me how would you feel if someone beats your daughter up lightly?
Fahhad Rajper
-Alvera Rajper, medical student
#TryBeatingMeLightly and tell me if you would like yourself to be beaten up lightly?
Fahhad Rajper
-Farah S. Kamal, education consultant
#TryBeatingMeLightly and take a punch in the ass!
Fahhad Rajper
-Amber Zulfiqar, travel and lifestyle blogger
#TryBeatingMeLightly and I'll run a car over you with my 7 years of driving experience!
Fahhad Rajper
-Priyanka Pahuja, product designer turned digital marketer
#TryBeatingMeLightly, you won't survive to see the morning.
Fahhad Rajper
-Sumbul Usman, social media manager
#TryBeatingMeLightly - I'll break that hand you raised at me. Remaining damage? I'll leave it up to Allah.
Fahhad Rajper
-Shagufta Abbas, doctor
#TryBeatingMeLightly, I will beat you up lightly too, that too in public. I am very particular about gender equality.
Fahhad Rajper
-Fizza Rahman, senior brand manager
#TryBeatingMeLightly, and be ready to face the consequences.
Fahhad Rajper
-Erum Khan, blogger
#TryBeatingMeLightly - Beat me with your intelligence, if you may. Beat me with your wit. Beat me with your smile. Beat me with your kindness. But if you dare to beat me even with a feather, I'd really beat the shit out of you. With love. :)
Fahhad Rajper
-Sadiya Azhar

See more of Rajper's work on Facebook and Instagram.

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