Zara Qairina’s Case Sheds Light on the Harsh Reality of Bullying

4 September 2025

The recent case of the late Zara Qairina has shed light on a pressing issue that remains far too overlooked in our society — bullying. Bullying is not something new, in fact, I believe many of us have either experienced or witnessed some form of bullying in our lives.

I remember when I was a student, a close friend of mine (who prefers to remain anonymous) got her period for the first time in our school and was ridiculed by several male classmates. Out of embarassment, she skipped school the next day, as many of us might have done. But, one day turned into two, then three, and soon she never returned. As we were living in a small town with only one secondary school that almost everyone went to, she never completed her secondary education. What may seemed like harmless teasing altered the course of her life.

As a boarding school student myself, I, along with few other girls, also encountered inappropriate remarks and lewd gestures, due to our physical appearance. Thankfully, I had the emotional and mental resilience to stand up to my bullies eventhough I was far away from my family and home.

However, not everyone is able to handle such form of bullying, and the effects may be devastating.

It goes without saying, bullying comes in many forms, not just physically; but also verbally, mentally and emotionally. While certain actions may seem harmless or trivial, bullying can destroy one’s future.

Therefore, the responsibility falls on all of us. Parents must actively monitor their children’s behaviour, and intervene if there’s any suspicion of bullying happening, before it’s too late. More importantly, educational institutions must play an active role in educating the students on the effects of bullying and provide an effective reporting mechanism. Teachers must be equipped with trainings to handle bullying cases and ultimately, students’ safety must be prioritized to the highest level.

We owe it to the late Zara Qairina, and to every children who has suffered in silence, to break this cycle. We condemn bullying in its all forms and stand in solidarity with Zara.

MOHINA SIDOM

KETUA WANITA UPKO MALAYSIA