Like other parts of the country, AuratMarch was held in Karachi to mark the International Women's day on Sunday, with the demonstrators calling for socio-economic participation, minority rights, besides ending domestic violence, sexual harassment and forced conversions.
Thousands of people including men, women, children, non-binary folks, and transgender community thronged to Frere hall garden to attend the rally. The march was organised by a diverse group of individuals, and right activists, with an aim to highlight the plight of women and raise voice for the gender equality and justice.
The rally participants, holding placards and banners and chanting pro-women slogans started marching towards Metropole from the Frere Hall.
Participants were carry placards and shout slogans such as "Mera Jism Meri Marzi," "Feminists are not anti-men, we are pro-human," "If this march offends you, then you are the problem," Islam gives women rights, when will society," "Women's rights are human rights," Raise your standard, not my blood pressure,"
A number of protesters, all young men, were trying to enter the Frere Hall garden with carrying pro Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar posters. They were chanting slogans as 'Pakistan ka matlab kia, la Ilaha illallah'. However, policemen intervened and stopped them from entering the venue, and they had to disperse.
"Pakistan is an Islamic country. The slogans like [mera jism meri marzi] are against our social as well as our religious norms. Our religion has given women greater respect, and we are proud of that," a participant Hameedullah Khan said who was standing near metropole hotel, holding a banner that read "Tahaffuz Ka Ehsas Mera Hijab."
Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh, Murtaza Wahab also attended the march along with his daughter, wife & sister-in-law. "I want to be a scientist and a painter, no one can stop me" read the banner carried by Wahab's daughter.
Handful protesters including women were also gathered just outside the Frere Hall garden, demanding the authorities for the release of Dr Afia Siddiqui.
[Afia bhi Aurat hey] "Afia is also a woman," [Afia Ko Riha Karo] "release Afia", they chanted.
Strict security arrangements were made to maintain law and order during the march. Walkthrough gates were installed at the venue and contingents of police were posted.
The demands of Aurat March included an end to sexual harassment and violence in schools and homes, at work place and from the state institution. They also called for the implementation of domestic violence Prevention and protection act, the transgender persons (protection of rights 2018), and decriminalisation of defamation, and repeal of the section 499, and 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
It demanded a just economic system - free from exploitation and discrimination. The Aurat March also called for the reversal of recent unprecedented price hike of food items (25 percent) and medicine (500 percent). It also urged the PPP-led Sindh government to review its decision to allow unpaid labour under the Sindh Tenancy Act 2013. A living wage and social security for the elderly and those with disabilities was also demanded.
Aurat March also demanded the government to provide free healthcare and reproductive health services to prevent, diagnose and treat STIs and unintended pregnancies, integrate sexual reproductive heath into healthcare training and that maternity benefits be granted across rural and urban areas as per the Sindh Maternity Benefits Act, 2018.
The march also demanded the usage of renewable energy sources, the protection and conservation of the environment, the prevention and control of pollution, and the promotion of sustainable development as per the climate change act 2017 and the environmental protection act 1997, as well as the effective provisions for displaced persons after any disaster as per the Climate Change Policy (2014-2030).
It also urged the government to ensure disability rights, right to the city, minority rights and end to forced conversions.
Jamaat-e-Islami women wing also held a protest rally titled 'Takrim-e-Niswan Walk' to mark the day. The women participants, wearing Hijab were holding placards inscribed with slogans honouring women. JI Karachi chapter Chief Hafiz Naeem was also present on this occasion.
A big demonstration was also held by members of the Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) from Arts Council to Karachi Press Club. The rally participants urged the government to ensure financial autonomy for women as well as protection against workplace harassment and discrimination.
'Mehnat Kash Aurat Rally' was held outside the KPC which saw overwhelming participation form women, and children. Renowned philanthropist Faisal Eidhi also attended and spoke on the occasion.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari took to twitter as saying, "Women in Pakistan have been on the forefront of every struggle, against every tyrant. Today they march not just for themselves, but for generations to come. So proud to have been raised by the strongest most empowered woman. She remains my guiding light."
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