'I was raped by my uncle but I didn't give up'
British-Asian actress-singer Sofia Hayat, a victim of child sex abuse,
appeals to women who have been victim of rape or other violence to rise
above such things and live their dreams.
"Always believe in your dreams, even if your family is against you, even
if you are from bad background," Sofia said here at the Dynamic Awards
For Women Thursday.
Sofia was born in Gravesend, Kent, Britain. She was brought up in a
strict Muslim family along with her three sisters - Zarqa, Saira, and
Tahira.
Recalling her growing up years and how her family had fallen on hard
times due to financial crunch, Sofia, 28, said: "When I was a child, I
was abused by my uncle. My family didn't have money. My mother used to
stitch clothes."
"I even remember the day when we didn't get food in school as we didn't
have money. So, if you are poor or there is any problem or raped like I
was by my uncle, it does not mean your life is spoiled forever."
She fought her way to fame and made a name for herself by featuring in British shows such as "Absolute Power" and "Fur TV".
She made her Bollywood debut with "Diary of a Butterfly".
Now Sofia is happy with her life.
"When I was a child, everyone used to say, 'Her uncle did that to her,
she didn't have money at home, so and so.' But just see where I am now. I
am so proud to be a woman.
"Although my background was not good, but my present and future are
good. So all the women of India, you can achieve anything you want," she
said.
Sofia insists it is high time women should stand for themselves.
"Women have to stand up for themselves. They should not be scared
otherwise people can affect you. Women have to be strong. They have to
show the society that they are not weak. And this has to be done by each
and every woman," she said.
She feels that women should step forward when they see another woman "being abused on the street".
"If somebody says something even to a poor girl, stand up for her. We all are one," she added.
The love-making scenes between John and Kangana in 'Shootout At Wadala' are intense and raw. The entire set had to be emptied ...
Cast: Sunny Leone, Parvin Dabas, Sandhya Mridul, Divya Dutta, Karan Mehra. Director: Bhushan Patel. Rating:** There is no denying the ...
Newsbreak: Priyanka opposite Ranbir in 'Jagga Jasoos', not Alia Apparently, Priyanka Chopra has been roped in for Anurag Basu&#...
Bollywood introduces many talented fresh faces every year. While many faces just fade in the clutter, there are few who make their prese...
Barely a month after she lost her father, Shilpa Shukla's apartment got gutted in fire Shilpa Shukla has probably had the worst yea...
Starring: Vivek Oberoi, Aftab Shivdasani, Riteish Deshmukh, plus 6 starlets who are game. Directed by Indra Kumar Rati...
'Bigg Boss 7': What makes Elli Avaram cry on Day 5? An ever-so-cheerful and enthusiastic Elli Avaram of 'Mickey V...
Posts