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

A powerful photo series showcases women’s reactions.
Fahhad Rajper/Facebook

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.

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

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