ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON YOULIN MAGAZINE
It was a bright and sunny afternoon on the 112th International Women's Day, and the Aurat March (Women's March) had finally been granted legal permission to march on the streets of Lahore, after facing multiple legal objections from different quarters. Since the beginning of their journey in 2015, the march has been an annual challenge for the organizers, labeled as a civil disobedience movement by critics who see it as disruptive, inappropriate, or even dangerous. However, the movement continues to be the lone torchbearer of female voice in Pakistan, despite the general apathy towards women's rights.
To join the global celebration of women, the Aurat March prepares an informative and engaging program each year, including powerful speeches on the need for women's empowerment, delivered by leading female representatives from various social organizations. Slogans promoting freedom of speech and anthems of female resistance are chanted on the streets, charging the air with the hope of social change. Thought-provoking art installations had also been created for the march, highlighting the dangers of increasing gender violence in society.
The Aurat March is an advocate for judicial and legislative reforms that address societal, political, and economic issues faced by women. This gathering of women takes place on the main streets of all major cities of the country, outside Press Clubs, which are considered to be a symbol of free speech for marginalized communities for expressing opinions and protesting since the 1950s. The Aurat March emphasizes the need to improve healthcare, female education and political representation. Women's rights activists in Pakistan have been instrumental in changing attitudes about female representation, opposing oppressive laws and policies related to family law, child marriage, honour killings and sexual violence.
The Women's March is a gathering of a few thousand that acts as a catalyst for hope, signalling the evolution of cultural norms. Solidarity among women and increased visibility of women in public spaces can help break down stereotypes and challenge repressive gender norms still prevalent in Pakistan. It promotes gender equality and demands that women be able to enjoy the same social and economic rights as men. The Aurat March has resiliently campaigned for education and tirelessly worked at the grassroots level to change societal attitudes towards women.
Various social empowerment organizations work in collaboration with the Aurat March to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, creating dialogue and amplifying the voice of female collectives so that they are able to advocate for their rights and take on leadership roles in their communities. Gaining allies has been a slow process for the Aurat March over the years, as gender inequality and discrimination against women are deeply rooted in cultural and social norms in Pakistan.
Women's rights organizations in Pakistan operate with limited resources and face significant challenges in reaching out to marginalized communities. The majority of women residing in the country are not able to read or write, and may not have the opportunity to learn about their rights and how to advocate for them. This makes the role of the Aurat March instrumental in creating awareness of these pertinent issues. To bridge the current economic divide, social reform for educating young girls and increasing the employment rate of female workers with the guarantee of equal pay is a must. Only then will Pakistan be able to improve the living conditions for women in the country.
The Aurat March provides women with the chance to safely express their opinions on gender-based violence. It collectively stands with the women and children who have been the victims of these crimes of hate, in order to create social pressure on the judicial system and government policies that have overlooked and undermined such cases in the past. These women seek to end patriarchal violence and ask for improved safety of women, whether on the streets, workplace or at home. This can only be achieved when the interest of women becomes part of the national agenda of Pakistan
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