This doesn’t need to be said, but it bears mentioning all the same. Women have it tough in life.
Be it in terms of the responsibilities they take or the opportunities they get, the fairer gender has to struggle more to get what they want. They are paid less, have limited freedom, and do more to prove that they belong. And that’s not all. They often become targets of violence and exploitation, and we can’t help but think that there is something very wrong with things as they are.
Some of the issues that women face in Pakistan are:
- sexual harassment in the workplace,
- child marriage,
- honour killings,
- wage inequalities,
- limited political representation.
Women deserve better, and that change has to come no matter what. This Friday, just in time for International Women’s Day, Pakistan will be holding Aurat March all across the country. This March is all about letting people from all walks of life know that Pakistani women deserve better.
About Aurat March
If we had to sum up what Aurat March (Women March) is all about, this tweet pretty much explains everything:
Good luck to all those participating in @AuratMarch! Here’s some motivation from @shehzilm and @pagalpanchi. pic.twitter.com/XhYnRd3nr1
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) March 8, 2019
Women need to reclaim what’s rightfully theirs. Be it public places, better lifestyle choices, or economic opportunities, Aurat March will be bringing a cross-section of Pakistani society to come out in support for the women in the country.
Aurat March is open to all, and it has invited women from factories, offices and homes to lend their voice this Women’s Day. One for all and all for one.
Making a Point with Creative Slogans
Nothing like the International Women’s Day to come up with some catchy slogans and signs. Participants at the Aurat March did not disappoint at all:
https://twitter.com/qurat_mirza/status/1103560199300878337
Nice to see family representation at the Aurat March pic.twitter.com/k08hrLXAmI
— Товарищ Зил-и-Илахй 🇵🇸 (@XilleIlahi) March 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/cherrysodajin/status/1104023418335313920
So many people have turned up for #AuratMarch in Lahore. Proud of you Lahore! pic.twitter.com/ihSDPSYqB6
— Saman Tariq (@stariq88) March 8, 2019
#InternationalWomensDay #AuratMarch2019 #ChaloAuratMarchChalo #auratmarch #womensday pic.twitter.com/rtGE7Duw5l
— Zeina Toric-Azad (@zeinatoricazad) March 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/FlybrownG/status/1104021733420478468
Meanwhile in Aurat March our feminists leading with this poster pic.twitter.com/q4YQDSkx9n
— Zainab (@DrZainabsays) March 8, 2019
Spirits are high for the #AuratMarch2019 tomorrow. We are so excited and ready to march in Lahore tomorrow. Join us for the march at Lahore Press Club at 2:30 pm. #BehencharaAurYakhjehti #HumAurtain @AuratMarch pic.twitter.com/N46GiAToD4
— Seerat Khan (@seeratkhan92) March 7, 2019
At #AuratMarch Lahore. pic.twitter.com/1kAJ1WQCto
— Saman Tariq (@stariq88) March 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/shahitukray/status/1103702258968088577
The March is out in full force!
#AuratMarch has reached Alhamra. #Lahore pic.twitter.com/o0h9nMN4hG
— Saman Tariq (@stariq88) March 8, 2019
International Women's Day Aurat March in Karachi – at Karachi's Iconic Frere Hall pic.twitter.com/nD4lLogfB9
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) March 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/lightermachis/status/1104003375715229696
Some important points to note:
https://twitter.com/shmyla/status/1103170308423516160
Don’t bring single use plastics with you – bring your non disposable water bottles, we will hv a water tanker on sight so you can refill. DON’T LITTER. Shout out to our volunteers to help us clean up the space after, but pls make their job easier by not littering to begin with https://t.co/MNrNDxJyIo
— Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) March 8, 2019
The #Auratmarch Guide to Digital Safety. pic.twitter.com/vhGa9XW2d1
— Aurat March – عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) March 7, 2019
Even celebrities are throwing in their support:
March! March! March! 🙌🏼
📍Lahore press club!
⏰ 3pm@AuratMarch #AuratMarch #AuratMarchLahore pic.twitter.com/7CrQtF80Od— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) March 7, 2019
I’m rushing from work to join all of you amazing women! 💕 hope I make it! #InternationalWomensDay https://t.co/HgX209LADV
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) March 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/ArmeenaRK/status/1104017876258824192
Aurat March at @shazbkhanzdaGEO #AuratMarchLahore #AuratMarch2019 pic.twitter.com/WBR5FuRnrV
— Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) March 7, 2019
#IWD2019 #WomensDay
"Gender equality is not just about women’s rights. It’s a fight for basic human rights, for all" – National Goodwill Ambassador of UN Women Pakistan, @muniba_mazari shares a message on International Women's Day. pic.twitter.com/FkjyYLx843— UN Women Pakistan (@unwomen_pak) March 8, 2019
[PM Imran Khan Message on International Women's Day]
We pay tribute to Fatima Jinnah who stood steadfastly beside the Quaid for Pakistan.We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring women a secure &enabling environment to play their rightful role in our nation's development#WomensDay pic.twitter.com/zMfjiCT7QY
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 8, 2019
Seeing happy faces that look at each other with pride on the fact that they are united, its something special. It shows the power people can ignite in each other when they come together @AuratMarch2019 #AuratMarch pic.twitter.com/wabQ3Wf4kR
— Ali Gul Pir (@Aligulpir) March 8, 2019
Looks like the Aurat March is off to a rapturous start.
Here’s to hoping that this movement becomes a catalyst of change for the better, and that our society learns not to take the women heroes in their life for granted.
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In the name of Women’s freedom of speech/working/wearing/dressing, what disgusting things these so called women’s rights owners are displaying in public places.
I never found a single case where women are being paid less salary than men in Pakistan. This is the issue of Europe & US.
And if all of these ladies were corporate employees, they would not get leave from office take banner march… true employers pay for working hours not march on streets :)