Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman has raised concerns about the double standard in addressing men and women in formal settings, highlighting the discrepancy between the use of honorifics for men and casual references for women.
In a statement shared on X, Sherry Rehman shared her experiences and underscored the importance of treating both genders equally in professional environments. She argued that women deserve the same level of respect as men, including proper titles and surnames.
Addressing colleagues and others in public forums, Rehman urged for consistency in addressing women, stressing that they should not be referred to solely by their first names while male colleagues are addressed with honorifics and full names.
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“I am sorry but I cannot allow myself to be called only ‘Sherry’ if the colleagues next to me are called ‘so and so sahibs’ along with their full names as a mark of respect,” Rehman stated, clarifying that she has no objection to informal address if it extends to her male counterparts.
She further emphasized that women should be addressed with respect, avoiding terms like “larki” (girl), even if used affectionately or by older individuals. Rehman asserted her professional standing, stating, “I am 63 years old with a long career in public life. That’s long enough to have earned my place with respect at any table.”
