Model Vaneeza Ahmad believes it is important for parents to talk openly with their children about their bodies and the changes they go through during puberty. She shared her views on an episode of “Good Morning Pakistan,” where host Nida Yasir discussed how to protect children from sexual harassment and predatory behaviour.
When asked how she taught her own daughters to protect themselves, Ahmad said she has always been open about these topics. She explained that there should be no shame in discussing such matters between mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, and even between spouses, and that these things should be talked about openly rather than hidden.
She added that despite social stigma, topics like the menstrual cycle need to be discussed, since society has turned it into a taboo, leaving many people without basic awareness. Human rights lawyer Zia Awan, who also appeared on the show, pointed out that the lack of awareness is so severe that many adult women don’t fully understand their own bodies.
Ahmad shared that she used simple science to teach her children about puberty and the human body. When her daughters were around five to seven years old, she showed them anatomical diagrams and explained human anatomy for both men and women. She said this is the age when children are naturally curious, and answering their questions honestly is the right approach. She added that she never taught her daughters to feel ashamed, but instead showed them how the human body works and why it is remarkable.
The episode also featured two young girls who had faced harassment, along with psychotherapist Atia Fareed, who spoke about the importance of therapy for children who have experienced trauma.
