Women Take To The Streets As Pakistan Celebrates Historic Aurat March

Aurat March 2020

Today on 8 March 2020, International Women’s Day is being celebrated across the globe. In Pakistan, the women’s day is being celebrated with “Aurat March” around the country. 

The first Aurat march was held in Karachi, 2018. After that Lahore, Islamabad, and Faislabad followed suit. Moreover, last year many slogans from Aurat March were staggering. 

Azadi March Pakistan

Source: Twitter

Women’s Day in its entirety 

International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed on the 8th of March every year. It celebrates the movement for women’s rights.

Historically, when the Socialist Party of America on February 28, 1909, formed a Women’s Day in New York City. Besides, German representatives Clara Zetkin, Käte Dunckerand others stated at the 1910 International Socialist Woman’s Conference that “a special Women’s Day” shall be arranged annually. 

Moreover, March 8 became a national holiday in Soviet Russia when women gained suffrage in Russia in 1917. Thereafter, communist countries along with socialist movements celebrated March 8. Moreover, in 1967, the feminist movements also adopted the March 8 celebration.

Later in 1977, the United Nation recognized the day and began celebrating it. Moreover, March 8 is celebrated as a holiday in some countries, some countries observe protests on this day and some ignore it. 

Azadi March and Women’s day in Pakistan

Furthermore, in Pakistan, the day is being celebrated with nationwide protests. Women holding placards with several slogans are marching in the streets of Pakistan. Reportedly, the march is going on in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Islamabad. It is pertinent to mention that in Quetta Aurat March is being held for the first time. 

Amidst two-layer security, in Lahore, marchers assembled at the Lahore Press Club. Further, they carried placards, drums, and chanted slogans. Moreover, the March went from Egerton road to Aiwan-e-Iqbal

Azadi March Pakistan

Source: Daily Times

In Islamabad, the Aurat March will start at 3 pm. In Quetta, the march started at 11 AM at Quetta Press Club. Plus, in Karachi, the march will start at 3 PM at Frere Hall.

The main demands of the marchers are gender equality, equal opportunities, a safe environment for the women and the impunity to use their bodies and life as they like. However, some of the slogans became a moot point in Pakistani society. Additionally, many thought the slogans like “Mera Jism Meri Marzi”, “Aise he Bethugi”, “Dupatta Itna Pansad ha to Ankhon pa Bandh lo”, are obscene and provocative.  This led to the vicious debate between Marvi Sirmed and Khalil ur Rehman.

The PM and The President

President Arif Alvi in a tweet talked about women’s rights. Moreover, he also quoted Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and wrote,  “Power of women is greater than the pen and sword.”

Similarly, prime minister Imran Khan said, “I reaffirm my pledge on this day to take all measures that would help our women to lead a safe, secure and prosperous life.” The premier asserted, “It is indeed encouraging to see that our women are proving their mettle in every walk of life and achieving excellence in their respective fields at national and international level.”

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