International Women day 2020
Today’s ‘Aurat March’ has been allowed to take place by both the Lahore and
Islamabad High Courts, which have rejected petitions demanding that it be
banned. One ridiculous assertion, that has thankfully gotten the least amount
of traction, is that somehow the march is being sponsored by some sinister
anti-state elements. However, unfortunately, the conversation, rather than
focusing on the real purpose of the one-day demonstration, is around the
perceived ‘vulgarity’ of the slogans that will be chanted and placards that will
be displayed, especially ‘mera jism, meri marzi’ (my body my choice). One of
the vilest examples of this intolerance was playwright and serial misogynist
Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s uncalled for abusive outburst at activist Marvi
Sirmed on live television. Although Ms Sirmed did speak out of turn, saying
those dreaded four words, which was easily avoidable as Mr Qamar had not
interrupted her earlier when she was speaking, his response was
outrageously disproportionate. Oddly, there are as many people who find
nothing wrong with Qamar’s actions as there are those who have condemned
it outrightly. That most of Mr Qamar’s supporters are males speaks to the
severity of the underlying problem. Political parties seem to be divided over
the issue as well. The PTI and PML(N) think that the march should go on so
long as ‘the march would not harm honour and dignity of the country’ and that
‘the organisers to take a stance which was culturally acceptable to society’.
The PPP is the only party that has expressed outright support, no strings
attached. Religious parties like the JUI(F), quite expectedly, are opposed to
the march, threatening to stop it by force themselves if the state does not.
It is an undeniable fact that women in Pakistan are persecuted, facing
dangers that can range from domestic abuse to rape and murder. Regressive,
unlawful practices such as karo kari (a form of honour killing), underage marriages, forced conversion of girls belonging to already marginalized
minorities and widespread sexual harassment at the workplace and home,
are just a few examples.
There is a plethora of statistics that paint a disturbingly clear and accurate
picture of women’s rights, or lack thereof, in Third-World countries like
Pakistan. Aurat March’s core body has correctly highlighted the hypocrisy in
the state allowing a bigoted extremist like TLP chief Khadim Rizvi to spew his
violence-inducing toxicity for days on end, but finding that women taking to
the streets to peacefully demand their rights, is taking it too far. The march
should go on undeterred so long as it is lawful and peaceful. All provincial
administrations should provide ample security to the marchers so as to avoid
any untoward incidents.
Being Muslim Alhamdulliah my father keeps me like a princess, brothers protect their sisters like a bodyguard no need to pay for security concerns 🤲, Husband are always their as true friend, protector and honest person with whome you can share your feeling. #genderrquality #auratmarch2020
Islamabad High Courts, which have rejected petitions demanding that it be
banned. One ridiculous assertion, that has thankfully gotten the least amount
of traction, is that somehow the march is being sponsored by some sinister
anti-state elements. However, unfortunately, the conversation, rather than
focusing on the real purpose of the one-day demonstration, is around the
perceived ‘vulgarity’ of the slogans that will be chanted and placards that will
be displayed, especially ‘mera jism, meri marzi’ (my body my choice). One of
the vilest examples of this intolerance was playwright and serial misogynist
Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s uncalled for abusive outburst at activist Marvi
Sirmed on live television. Although Ms Sirmed did speak out of turn, saying
those dreaded four words, which was easily avoidable as Mr Qamar had not
interrupted her earlier when she was speaking, his response was
outrageously disproportionate. Oddly, there are as many people who find
nothing wrong with Qamar’s actions as there are those who have condemned
it outrightly. That most of Mr Qamar’s supporters are males speaks to the
severity of the underlying problem. Political parties seem to be divided over
the issue as well. The PTI and PML(N) think that the march should go on so
long as ‘the march would not harm honour and dignity of the country’ and that
‘the organisers to take a stance which was culturally acceptable to society’.
The PPP is the only party that has expressed outright support, no strings
attached. Religious parties like the JUI(F), quite expectedly, are opposed to
the march, threatening to stop it by force themselves if the state does not.
It is an undeniable fact that women in Pakistan are persecuted, facing
dangers that can range from domestic abuse to rape and murder. Regressive,
unlawful practices such as karo kari (a form of honour killing), underage marriages, forced conversion of girls belonging to already marginalized
minorities and widespread sexual harassment at the workplace and home,
are just a few examples.
There is a plethora of statistics that paint a disturbingly clear and accurate
picture of women’s rights, or lack thereof, in Third-World countries like
Pakistan. Aurat March’s core body has correctly highlighted the hypocrisy in
the state allowing a bigoted extremist like TLP chief Khadim Rizvi to spew his
violence-inducing toxicity for days on end, but finding that women taking to
the streets to peacefully demand their rights, is taking it too far. The march
should go on undeterred so long as it is lawful and peaceful. All provincial
administrations should provide ample security to the marchers so as to avoid
any untoward incidents.
Being Muslim Alhamdulliah my father keeps me like a princess, brothers protect their sisters like a bodyguard no need to pay for security concerns 🤲, Husband are always their as true friend, protector and honest person with whome you can share your feeling. #genderrquality #auratmarch2020
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