Islamabad (Showbiz News Desk): A video that recently went viral on X (formerly Twitter) has ignited fresh debate in Pakistan after TikToker Samia Hijab challenged traditional gender roles, asking why women are expected to cook for men.
Kashmir Needs Your Voice
With internet services suspended in Pakistan-administered Kashmir since 6 June 2026, timely reporting has become increasingly challenging. The Azadi Times is inviting Kashmir-based writers and journalists to join our network of authors and contributors.
The clip struck a nerve in a society where household responsibilities are still widely defined by rigid gender norms.
According to a Gallup Pakistan survey — cited in Wikipedia’s Women in Pakistan entry — a large segment of the population continues to believe in conventional gender roles.
The controversy comes at a time when Pakistani women face systemic challenges, including gender-based violence and patriarchal attitudes. The Pakistan Observer reported that the country ranked 148th in the Global Gender Gap Report 2025, highlighting severe restrictions on women’s freedoms and opportunities.
Samia’s statement — that she does not see cooking for men as a woman’s obligation — resonated with many advocates of women’s rights but also triggered backlash online. While some users on X criticized her remarks, others praised her courage in defying societal expectations.
One user posted the viral clip with her quote: “The issue is not that I have to cook food. The issue is that a woman is expected to cook for her man.”
