Our society is already facing a number of social maladies but in some cases, few incidents remain terrible and eye opener to ponder whether we are at right track or otherwise! The terrible and needless murder of 17-year-old TikTok sensation Sana Yousaf in Islamabad is more than just a crime; it is a reflection of our collective rot in a society where honor is still weaponized, rejection is met with retaliation, and young girls are martyred for not saying “no.”
Reportedly, Sana grew up in the internet era-an IT native. Before a gunshot, motivated by ego and passion, permanently silenced her, she had over a million followers and offered innocent content, birthday greetings, and skincare advice. After being repeatedly rejected, her killer, a 22-year-old guy, allegedly waited outside her house for hours before killing her. This was not a singular instance of insanity; rather, it was the result of a culture that does not instill in its young people the values of respect, rejection, consent, and emotional intelligence.
This terrible conduct makes us face the pressing question: Are we preparing our youth to interact with the world in an ethical, responsible, and emotional manner? Obviously, the answer is no.
Comprehensive adolescent education is what we need, not merely as a post-secondary endeavor but as a fundamental academic endeavor in schools and universities. Only religious discourses and rote memorization are not enough for this education, but we have to implement religious obligations in true spirit. With information about relationships, consent, emotions, gender sensitivity, digital responsibility, and self-worth, it must empower pupils. Society turns into a haven for violence and entitlement when young people are not taught how to deal with rejection, control their emotions, or respect limits.
Numerous countries around the world have acknowledged this and implemented audacious, research-based measures to incorporate teenage education into their official educational frameworks. For example, the “Long Live Love” curriculum in the Netherlands greatest levels of youth well-being, starts teaching youngsters as early as four about emotions, limits, and respect. They have emotional intelligence, maturity, and responsibility by the time they reach puberty.
In a similar vein, Sweden has required relationship education since 1955, emphasizing emotional growth, respect for one another, and gender equality. One of the world’s most socially conscious and egalitarian cultures has resulted from this. Adolescent education is mandated by law in Germany and includes subjects including internet safety, reproductive health, and consent, all of which have strong institutional and family support.
Lessons on consent, online behavior, social pressure, and emotional wellness are all part of the Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) program, which was made mandatory in the UK in 2020. These courses are designed to respect cultural norms without sacrificing important life skills.
Nearer to us, India’s public schools implement an Adolescence Education Program that teaches teens about responsible relationships, mental health, and gender sensitivity. Comprehensive sexuality education and other life-skills-based education have been incorporated into Rwanda’s national curriculum, encouraging young people, particularly girls, to continue their education and steer clear of child marriage. Even Kenya has made great strides in educating young people about gender-based violence, early marriage, and reproductive rights through faith-inclusive initiatives, despite long-standing social taboos.
These instances demonstrate that adolescent education empowers rather than corrupts. It fosters resilience rather than rebellion. Furthermore, it is completely feasible to design such instruction in a way that is age-, value-, and culturally appropriate.
As a law graduate, I firmly believe that a strong and enforceable legal framework, one that criminalizes harassment, safeguards digital privacy, and ensures swift justice for gender-based violence is essential to preventing such tragedies and protecting our youth. Although Pakistan has enacted anti-harassment laws, enforcement often comes too late. Let us strive to create a system where the law acts as a shield before harm occurs, not just a remedy after the fact.
Regretfully, in Pakistan, we still mistake repression for morality and silence for modesty. For fear of moral deterioration, we avoid talking about relationships, emotions, or consent. However, ignorance is what kills; knowledge does not corrupt. It’s also time to acknowledge that custom shouldn’t be a justification for inaction. Poets, philosophers, and progressive discussions were formerly highly regarded in our civilizations. Women used to be leaders and academics, and discussion were not always prohibited. We have to ask ourselves today: what have we lost, and how much has it cost us?
It is impossible to write off Sana’s murder as a singular tragedy. It must spur policy, parenting, and educational transformation. Adolescent education must be institutionalized by the state. The national curriculum must include life skills instruction in schools and institutions. Teachers need to be taught to lead, not to condemn. Parents should not be barriers to this education, but rather collaborators. Regulatory bodies under education sector need to revisit existing curriculum and lesson plans.
Above all, parents must serve as the primary educators, teaching morals, values, and emotional intelligence in the home. In addition to promoting openness, tolerance, and polite conduct, this training must uphold and safeguard our traditional values, communal holiness, and cultural dignity. Every family should endeavor to leave a legacy of teaching kids to respect the boundaries of others while honoring their own feelings. Hence, use of information technology should not be on the cost of lives rather it should bring ease in our lives.
Don’t let Sana’s tale end in quiet. Let now be the time that we restore our society’s moral compass, where rejection is welcomed, respect is taught, and no one is killed for the sake of unjustified honor. It’s time to get up, think, and bring back the principles that once made our customs honorable and our societies kind.
Lastly, the media should promote awareness rather than sensationalism. For Sana Yousaf, justice must entail more than just punishing one individual. Making sure that no young girl is ever penalized again for having a free life, speaking openly, or just saying “no” must be the goal. For how long will the Sanas keep sacrificing their lives, and for what cause must they endure such pain? Is the actual question to be responded cogently, comprehensively and wholeheartedly. So let her final birthday video serves as a wake-up call rather than a farewell. Now, are we prepared to listen at last?
