No women at ‘Azadi March’

Thousands of protesters under the banner of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam have converged in Islamabad seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. But there was something more noticeable: the absence of women.

The largest religious party has reportedly banned women from participating in the march. Their absence was deliberate and pamphlets were distributed last week telling women to stay at home to ‘fast and pray’. It is reported that not a single woman was part of the convoys that arrived from across the country or are participating in the march.

The party sent another instruction to ban female reporters and journalists from covering the event. Many were blocked from entering while others were harassed and insulted to the point that they had no choice but to leave. The protesters stated that women’s presence would destroy the march.

Many opposition parties also attended the rally particularly PML-N, PPP and ANP, delivering fiery speeches against the government. They had also been conveyed that women members should be kept away. The parties who spearhead women’s rights and freedom silently obliged.

Eventually JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was quick to assert that he has a lot of respect for women and that female journalists could attend the rally covering their head. The party’s local leaders also denied that women were being stopped from attending. They insisted that women chose to stay away themselves.

It is not unusual for a religious party instructing women to stay away, as many members live in a segregated society. However, this has raised questions about the deep-rooted misogyny prevalent in our society where women are barred from active participation in different spheres of life.

Not only are social media and progressive-minded people up in arms, but even political leaders have opposed the exclusion of women from the march. Former finance minister Asad Umar rightly said that the opposition’s vision of Pakistan is one where women have no space in public places.

In the past, the JUI-F has had held a conservative attitude against women and has opposed legislation against women rights. In 2016, the JUI-F chief slammed the Punjab Assembly for passing the women’s protection bill. The party should sense the rising anger and ensure equal participation of women instead.

It is unclear whether the JUI-F will succeed in the achieving the main objectives of the march. However, those supporting the march should realise that a movement for social change without participation of women can push the nation to the wrong side of history.