KARACHI, LAHORE, ISLAMABAD: Women, the transgender community, non-binary folks and men, rallied across the country to participate in Aurat March to mark International Women’s Day on Monday as they joined the global call for gender equality.
The main purpose to celebrate world Women’s Day is an opportunity for the international community to come together and commemorate the many achievements by women in different fields, and reflect upon what more requires to be done.
The main event in Karachi was held at Frere Hall amid strict guidelines issued to the participants to stay safe from coronavirus, including observing social distancing. The Organisers also took measures to broadcast the event live in consideration of those who could not physically attend it.
Similarly, in Lahore, the march commenced from Lahore Press Club, culminating at the Punjab Assembly. while paying tribute to women on the occasion they said that women are the country’s valuable asset and their participation is pivotal for building a progressive society.
A march is held in Islamabad, with protestors gathering at the National Press Club from where they are set to march towards the city’s D Chowk.
In Karachi, the focus is on patriarchal violence while in Lahore, the emphasis has been laid on addressing the concerns of the healthcare workers and womens’ health in general. Similarly, women in Islamabad are also highlighting the crisis of care.
The collective demands include “end to gender-based violence by patriarchal forces as well as state-backed violence targeting activists, religious groups and communities and effective and transparent investigation of gender-based crimes and fair and expeditious trials”.
The participants are also demanding criminalization of virginity tests for victims of rape, setting up gender-based cells to report violence in police stations, and bringing an end to sexual harassment.
Countries around the world including Pakistan are celebrating International Women’s Day today (Monday 8th March) to raise awareness against gender bias equality and women empowerment.
The idea for Aurat (women) March started in 2018 when a small group of women decided to mobilize their networks and gather in a park in Karachi on World Women’s Day to demand an end to harassment and violence.
