Misogyny or Simply Politics? - When Lines Get Blurred.

When Bushra Bibi came out to lead the protest against her husband’s imprisonment last week, it left not just Pakistanis, but observers across the world shocked, creating further confusion beyond the already rising tensions around the march taking place. Bibi, who has multiple times been called “apolitical” by many PTI party members, and then also accused by others of playing a backdoor role in politics when Khan was still prime minister, has been a much talked about figure - not just in Pakistan but across the globe.

Becoming the face of the long march last week only further added to the confusion around who she claims to be and who people see her as - and led to the likes of global news outlets like the Guardian and BBC, asking “Who is Bushra Bibi?”.

But in Pakistan, people don’t need to ask the question because they’ve already made up their minds - regardless of what side they’re on. That’s because women in Pakistani politics have always been talked about - and rarely for their politics it seems. It’s also why Pakistan has such low representation for women in higher up positions. Women constitute just 4.5% of senior, executive, or legislative roles, despite making up over half the population.

Politicians and citizens alike have often found it easier to rely on misogyny when their opponent in the political arena, or a member of a party they disagree with is a female, and Bushra Bibi is merely the latest to join that spotlight.

It’s true Bibi’s apparent role in her husband’s politics has been complicated, and yet amidst all of that viewers have often found one thing to fight about - her niqab. This isn’t the first time Bushra Bibi - or any female politician's clothes have become a part of the political debate and it’s clear it won’t be the last.

Two years ago, creative director Yawar Iqbal, donned a white abaya and niqab on halloween, in what was seen by many as a distasteful attempt to turn Bibi’s choice to do purdah into a halloween costume.