Emerging through the barriers of the patriarchy, around 500 women from all walks of life stood up and marched for their rights as part of the Aurat March last year on International Women’s Day, March 8 2018. This revolutionary moment was met with praises and backlash, alike.
But the Aurat March is way more than just protesting, it is a movement which consoles, supports and aids women of all sections of Pakistani society.
The Aurat March Organizing Team visited Mauripur!
Courageous, bold & surviving in dire circumstances, the women of Mauripur are a diverse & beautiful community.
We heard many #Pushtoon #Sindhi #Baloch #Punjabi #Christian #Muslim experiences. #humaurtein#Auratmarch2019 pic.twitter.com/JvUy4DrCWC
— AuratMarchKarachi2019 (@AuratMarch2019) February 19, 2019
The team behind the march highlights powerful women of Pakistan that have made their mark.
Channeling the spirits of Malala Yousafzai, Benazir Bhutto, Qandeel Baloch and Asma Jehangir, in fighting patriarchy one step at a time, this movement makes sure that these women and many more alike aren’t forgotten.
“If you look at what has been happening in our country, the amount of harassment cases that have come up, there is a lot of anger that is finally releasing and this march was a way to direct that anger somewhere for something powerful and beautiful,” said Sadia Khatri, one of the organizers of the Aurat March to The Express Tribune.
Alas, the march is back once again to stand firm in the face of our patriarchal society. The March will be held on the 8th of March, 2019 at the Frere Hall in Karachi, and at the Press Club in Lahore and Islamabad.
A few demands have been put forward, starting with the demand for an end to violence of all kinds.
This particular demand stands in solidarity with the #MeToo Movement, which inspired many Pakistani women, from celebrities like Meesha Shafi, to a large variety of women on Twitter and real life, to come forward with their experiences and talk about their trauma.
Furthermore, it demands justice for survivors without the fear of retaliation as we have seen happening in many cases.
Aurat March 2019 demands
First Demand: An End to ViolenceWe will be releasing our demands in these short clips so watch this space!#humaurtein#AuratMarch2019 pic.twitter.com/1zeamq6TyR
— AuratMarchKarachi2019 (@AuratMarch2019) February 19, 2019
The right to economic justice is their second demand.
From calling onto a harassment-free work space to ensuring that ALL workers have the right to work – this demand is vital in ensuring a just and tolerant society within Pakistan.
Aurat March Demand 2
The Right to Economic Justice#HumAurtein#AaoHamaraySaathChaloPhirSe pic.twitter.com/kzCCIZr0QE
— AuratMarchKarachi2019 (@AuratMarch2019) February 22, 2019
Giving women the right to make decisions for their bodies is another demand.
This demand in particular is extremely important as it highlights the importance of providing women with the freedom to choose for themselves what they want to do with their bodies. In a country, where a shockingly vast majority sees women as mere reproductive machines, if put into effect, this can save the lives of hundreds who are forced to give up any kind of agency.
Hot of the presses! #AuratMarch2019 demand 3
The Right for Access to Proper Reproductive Health Measures. pic.twitter.com/hyW2Xnujl4
— AuratMarchKarachi2019 (@AuratMarch2019) February 27, 2019
Adopting measures to combat climate changes is a very important demand put forth by the team.
With the spiraling state of our planet, it is vital to shed light on environmental issues too and the Aurat March has taken upon itself to advocate for environmental awareness.
Demand no. 4️⃣:
– Access to clean air 😷
– Access to clean water 💧
– Combat climate change ✔️🌱
– End exploitation of animals 🐢FOR ALL OF US AND OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE 🌎🔆♥️#HumAurtein #AuratMarch2019 pic.twitter.com/QR93d49ZiM
— AuratMarchKarachi2019 (@AuratMarch2019) February 28, 2019
In the anticipation of the March, they’ve recently started a trend – #WhyIMarch – on Twitter and we’ve come across some extremely inspiring tweets that have filled our hearts with warmth and shed light on why it’s important to step out and join them.
Marching for at least a day free from harassment
I march for a day – just one day – where I can walk in the street without fear of harassment, without men policing my body, without the threat of violence. #WhyIMarch
— sana del rey🥀 (@DukhiSano) February 23, 2019
Pakistan is a country where 93% of women experience some form of sexual abuse in public places and 70% of women experience sexual abuse by a close relative, at least once in their lifetime, stated by founder of Madadgaar National Helpline 1098. A society where blaming the victim takes precedence over persecuting the harasser, women feel threatened not only in public but at their homes too.
I want to be able to go out for a casual stroll without worrying about sexual harassment. #whyIMarch
— Rumisa Lakhani (@RumisaLakhani) February 23, 2019
With the prevalence of sexual abuse cases in Pakistan, it is eminent that we march in favor of creating a safer environment for women where they won’t be scared to step out of their houses alone nor policed for their choice of clothing, where people will be held accountable for their actions and where victim blaming won’t take place.
Because I want to walk outside and not have that be a radical choice on my part, and I want that for every person https://t.co/aeOXWZiNbZ
— Sabah Malik (@sabahbanomalik) February 24, 2019
Exhausted of being judged and policed for your dressing and behavior? So are these women
I’m exhausted of policing my joy in public, the space I take, the way I dress, the way I speak, where and what times I can go – lowering or tunnel visioning my gaze because of the incessant leering – I’m tired https://t.co/aeOXWZiNbZ
— Sabah Malik (@sabahbanomalik) February 24, 2019
Our women should no longer have to bear the burden of honor. It is our right to dress, speak, walk and laugh the way we want.
I march because I want to have the autonomy to step outside my house whenever I want. I am exhausted by having my freedom curtailed all the time. #WhyIMarch
— Fizza (@fizza_qureshi24) February 23, 2019
No more of log kia kahengay. It’s time to stop shaming women for the way they carry themselves.
We march for women to finally be free of the #patriarchy once and for all.
Soul Bitches, unite! #WhyIMarch #AuratMarch2019 @AuratMarch2019 @AuratMarch @AuratAzadiMarch #SoulBitchesAtAuratMarch
— Soul Bitches (@RealSoulBitches) February 23, 2019
What do you do when the system fails you? You get out and march.
We are marching because for so long systems have failed us Aur zulm kay yeh zaabtay hum nahin maantay 🙌🏾✊🏾
— Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) February 24, 2019
Time and time again we’ve witnessed our legal system failing to bring victims justice or provide them with security and it is for these reasons that so many of the cases go unreported.
I want to see a world where sexual predators are held accountable for their crimes. Because their victims live their whole lives in fear and shame and its about time that we fixed that #WhyIMarch
— Manal Faheem Khan (@ManalFaheemKhan) February 23, 2019
Tackling the gender-biased wage gap
Because everyone deserves a living wage for their labor #WhyIMarch https://t.co/mvrwrvVMdD
— Bibi Ansari (@curlyintentions) February 23, 2019
I join to accept the fact that women should be paid equally, should be given equal opportunities and their personal lives should not be thought as a hurdle in their professional journey. https://t.co/ujDgl3lRAy
— F-16 Niswar (@TheOmarrization) February 25, 2019
In 2018, Pakistan was ranked the second worst country in the world for gender inequality for the second consecutive year by the World Economic Forum. Most women work in the informal sector in Pakistan where the government regulations on minimum wage aren’t followed and women get paid even lesser. Most jobs in Pakistan are reserved for men only too due to societal taboos.
Because #statistics. It's 2019 and the male child is still preferred for education and health. Female literacy is less than 50% in Pakistan, and poor maternal health is the strongest driver of malnutrition. https://t.co/nM91lS8Jrl
— Ayesha Mysorewala (@ayeshamysore) February 25, 2019
What if your home isn’t safe either?
I march for all those mothers and wives who have been bullied by their spouses and exes. Financially, physically, sexually and emotionally. @laaleen #WhyIMarch #HumAurtein #AuratMarch2019
— Zeina Toric-Azad (@zeinatoricazad) February 23, 2019
Women in Pakistan are told to bear the pain of abusive marriages due to the stigma surrounding divorce and are often silenced under the guise of “love”. Marching for women and children stuck in abusive relationships is a step forwards.
I march for all those sisters and daughters who are lost the right of property. They want to stand on their feet and boost their life.#AuratMarch2019
— GullaAfridi (@gullaafridi) February 24, 2019
How long will women be deprived of their right to inheritance?
1.کیونکہ پدرشاہی نظام نے سب ہی کو ظالم بنا دیا ہے.
2. میں تنگ ہوں https://t.co/Q62IeqKfOa— Amna Mawaz Khan (@Anarchistani) February 24, 2019
Because public spaces are for women, too.
Because I want to have as much access to public spaces in Pakistan as men do & not feel like having a female body prevents me from being a full& free citizen #WhyIMarch #AuratMarch2019 https://t.co/UnTMTRWT4j
— Tara Khan (@tarakhan97) February 24, 2019
How often have you heard “larkiyan dhabe pey nahi jateen” or “woh larkiyoun ki jany wali jagha nahi hai” or my favorite “chor do yaar tum larki ho tumse nahi ho payee ga?”
I march for the kind of freedom my brother was granted from birth. I march to make it mine too. #WhyIMarch
— sana del rey🥀 (@DukhiSano) February 23, 2019
Women deserve as much access to public spaces as men already have. We don’t need to be confined for “our own good.” We deserve freedom and liberation.
Because equal rights are essential – in every sense of the phrase
I march because I envision a world where every gender has sexual, political and economical rights #WhyIMarch https://t.co/WnnodGuV48
— Atiya Abbas (@bloggoodlife_) February 23, 2019
Because unity and taking a firm stand are important
I march because collective action is the only way to dismantle patriachal, capitalist structures.#AuratMarch2019 #HumAurtein https://t.co/bDgAmTD9yf
— prima facie female (@shmyla) February 24, 2019
In this day and age, it has become vital that we take a stand against the oppressive elements of our society and in doing so must remain united. A system which has prevailed by silencing its women can only be dismantled when they no longer remain silent.
I march bcse I acknowledge my privilege & strive to use it for the greater good – for equality, for respect, for avenging the decades of patriarchy #HumAurtein have suffered from. I march for those who can't – the differently abled, the elderly & the ones not allowed to step out.
— Raiha (@RaihaAAA) February 23, 2019
It is important to realize our privilege and stand up for women who don’t even realize that they live in a patriarchal society. It is at these times where we must march for not only us but them too.
We are marching to come together to heal ourselves & move towards a healing justice from all the trauma which is continuously inflicted on our bodies and souls by the oppressive systems of hierarchy. #WhyIMarch #WomensMarch2019 #AuratAzadiMarch #AuratAzadSamaajAzad
— Aurat Azadi March Isb (@AuratAzadiMarch) February 23, 2019
The magnanimity of the Aurat March is seen in the fact that it has garnered a lot of support since last year. Women are no longer afraid to be loud, be bold and reclaim the rights that society tends to take away from them.
Will you be joining them to be on the right side of history?
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Cover image via dawn.com