Aurat March is a peaceful march that is annually held on International Women’s Day. Women from various parts of Pakistan gather together to fight for their rights through posters. Keeping up with the festivities, participants raise their voices with enthusiastic chants against inequalities and misogyny.
It’s hard to understand why anyone who stands for women rights and human rights would vandalize posters intended for Aurat March posters. Yet, certain individuals just don’t get it. They’d rather indulge in hooliganism and vandalism to make their point poorly.
Flashback to Aurat March 2019
Before we speak about this year’s event, here’s a quick flashback from last year’s Aurat March which had its fair share of controversies and slogans that captured the public imagination.
While the previous two movements were turned into memes and jokes, we believe it’s time people change for the better and realize that women just want to live in a world where they don’t feel afraid.
The Movement
The Aurat March, organized by “Hum Auratein” (We The Women), is taking place in numerous cities including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
Preparations have already begun for posters, banners, and slogans. This Aurat March anthem was posted on Facebook and the backlash has been unbelievable.
One Facebook user had the audacity to comment this on the video:
You think you will get ur rights like this? Embarrassing to see it will create more stubborn behavior of man, this kinda protest making women not powerful but controversial. Please Address real issues of women at proper forum, which is parliament, educational institutions, etc.
Comments like these don’t take into account the fact that women have historically being excluded from many things, be it in the household, the workplace or even the government. This is precisely why women are protesting in the first place – for someone to listen to their concerns and change things for the better.
Tiny Little Egos
So it goes without saying that tiny little egos are getting hurt over women demanding their duly human rights. This fact was confirmed when a beautiful mural set up by Aurat March organizers was destroyed recently.
Even if we ignore the fact that these posters cost artists like Shehzil time, effort and money; this has become about the misogynistic mindset of some people who inhabit the same spaces as we do. Now we fear how these men, the ones who vandalized these beautiful powerful posters, treat women of their own families.
United We Stand
While this ridiculous move was made to demean and belittle the motives of Aurat March, people are coming forward with all the more motivation and enthusiasm for the cause.
Let's paste more!! 💪🏾 I'll put my poster online free to download like last year. Feel free to print and paste in your neighborhood. Talk to ppl about what it means– a Pakistan for women also. https://t.co/wezpU8hdUm
— Shehzil Malik (@shehzilm) February 22, 2020
You can tear down the posters. But you cant tear down our morals.
We are high spirited and we will flood with more posters.Does these hurt your fragile ego?Awww Tearing down our posters at hussain chowk lahore is hate and means you are scared of rising women #AuratAzadiMarch2020 pic.twitter.com/NoFriVaRbQ— Alia Haider (#MedicalReliefforfloodaffectes) (@DrAliahaider) February 22, 2020
Tearing up posters of a peaceful organization only shows insecurities deeply embedded within certain elements of society. Each poster that gets torn gives encouragement to hundreds of women to stand up for their long due rights. #AuratAzadiMarch2020 @AuratMarchKHI
— Salman Sufi (Get New Covid Booster Today) (@SalmanSufi7) February 22, 2020
Femmes who bring placards to Aurat March have actually made history it is absolutely wild to think about the impact a couple of sarcastic and basic posters have made on our society
— ya gurl sannu (@allahsfav) February 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/SardarRauf7/status/1231228073267384321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1231228073267384321&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.dawn.com%2Fnews%2F1184719
I cannot stop laughing at how tough the losers who ripped down these posters felt. They felt like they were really showing us whose boss, straight up jokes 😂😂 – now we MARCH with a little pep in our step ✌️#auratmarch #auratazadimarch #metoo https://t.co/HuJxpf2kWJ
— Sabah Bano Malik (@sabahbanomalik) February 22, 2020
The beautiful mural was created just this morning by volunteers from the Aurat March. pic.twitter.com/yWFAR3acgd
— amal (Taylor’s Version) (@pakistanned) February 22, 2020
Today we were buoyed by the love and behanchara on display today, only for it to be torn down hours later.
For those who say why we march–this is why!!
First picture: Earlier today as we built our mural.
Subsequent pictures: Later today, after our mural was torn down. pic.twitter.com/XfGqAEFaCI
— عورت مارچ لاہور – Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) February 22, 2020
Threats of Violence are not far behind
While we want each and every lady to take part in this revolutionary movement, individuals like these portray the very real dangers that women in a desi society face. Openly calling for crimes like rape against those who disagree with us? We will let the readers decide for themselves.
While it is alarming that rape threats are being hurled like they were nothing by folks like the above ones, we believe that barking dogs seldom bite. But it wouldn’t be fair not to mention the numerous rape, murder, and honor killing cases that have occurred in Pakistan with every passing day.
Ironically, such violent tendencies and mindsets actually drive home the point that movements like Aurat March are necessary!
Have anything to add? Let us know!
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