Nationwide ‘Aurat March’ held to mark International Women’s Day
In various cities across Pakistan, the ‘Aurat March’ was held today to mark International Women’s Day. The marches were attended by women, children, men, transgender people and others.
The first Aurat March was held in 2018 in Karachi. Last year, it was extended to more cities, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Larkana and Hyderabad. The cities included Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Pehsawar, Multan and Quetta.
In Islamabad, participants of the Aurat March gathered outside the National Press Club afternoon, where the ‘Haya March was also been held by Jamia Hafsa students. In order to avoid clashes, authorities had erected a tent between the two marches.
However, after the Jamia Hufsa students ended their march, the male participants took down the tent and started throwing stones, injuring at least one member of the Aurat March, media reported. The situation was soon brought under control by police.
In Lahore, marchers gathered at the Lahore Press Club. Carrying placards, they played the drums, clapped and chanted slogans. As the attendees gathered, they chanted slogans calling for the independence of women.
The march went through Egerton road till Aiwan-e-Iqbal, protected by two layers of security personnel, many of whom included policewomen.
Meanwhile, a resolution was submitted in the Punjab Assembly by PML-N MPA Kanwal Liaquat, demanding an end to gender discrimination. The resolution condemned underage marriages and demanded that women be granted legal, social and economic protection.
In Karachi, advocates of women’s rights held the Aurat March at the Frere Hall garden. Pakistan Peoples Party-Shaheed Bhutto leader Ghinwa Bhutto also arrived at the venue to participate in the march.
Spokesperson for the Sindh government Barrister Murtaza Wahab also participated in the Aurat March with his family.
Walkthrough gates had been installed at the venue and contingents of police were deployed to maintain security.
A march was also held by members of the Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) from Arts Council to Karachi Press Club. Participants of the march, led by HBWWF general secretary Zahra Akbar Khan, demanded financial autonomy for women as well as protection against workplace harassment and discrimination.
A ‘Haya March’ was also held at Teen Talwar by the Pakistan Tahaffuz Movement.
In Sukkur, participants of Aurat March gathered at Lab-e-Mehran garden and walked to the press club. The marchers demanded equal rights for women, access to education, an end to forced conversions and a fund for the families of missing persons. The participants also condemned practices like karo kari.
They also highlighted the human rights abuse in occupied Kashmir.
At the press club, participants released white pigeons and recited poetry by Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. A rally was also held in Sukkur on Saturday night during which participants carried torches.
