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Hina Altaf has called for unity among women after she was faced with a distressing situation involving a predator at the workplace.

The actor posted a story on Instagram on Wednesday saying she had come across the individual at work and was able to make an excuse and get herself out of that situation because she had her wits about her.

Altaf said she had informed the production team about the incident, but it was “heartbreaking” to see the “cost of being a working woman or just a woman who’s breathing in this country”.

She said it was “exhausting” having to be vigilant at all times and lamented that “being smart” was the “primary survival mechanism” for women who didn’t have “a basic right to feel secure”.

She called on women to bring the change they wanted to see and “fight collectively” against these challenges. “We cannot afford to stay silent or let these moments slide,” the actor said.

She urged women to trust their instincts, act when needed and demand accountability whenever they are wronged.

“We shouldn’t have to live this way, but until things change, we must stand together,” she said, concluding her message.

Altaf is unfortunately not the only woman facing harassment at work in the entertainment industry. Another case came up in 2021 when actor Mehar Bano faced harassment on set by a member of the sound crew.

In what was a true display of the solidarity Altaf is talking about, the situation was resolved by Saba Qamar, who intervened on Bano’s behalf and had the crew member kicked out of the project.

Bano said this was the first time she had seen someone take such a “strong stand” against harassment for her.

There have also been attempts to bring the issue into the public discourse, most notably with the drama Case No. 9 which showed Qamar as a survivor who takes her boss to court for raping her.

The drama received critical acclaim for bringing a serious issue and its associated legal know-how into Pakistani living rooms with a sensitive yet powerful portrayal.