Women approach LHC against Aurat March

Petitioners contest that the rally promotes vulgarity in society

LAHORE: Six women have approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the ‘Aurat March’, alleging that it is an anti-state activity aimed at reducing the dignity of females through the display of offensive content on placards and banners which are continuously circulated on social media.

The women petitioners filed a civil miscellaneous application on Monday through Advocate Azhar Siddique, praying to the court to array them in the main petition seeking implementation and enforcement of the Citizen Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020.

Petitioners Asia Yousaf, Ayesha Mubashar, Seema Quratulain and others contended that a writ petition is pending adjudication before the court and the application may be read as an integral part of the main petition.

Shireen Mazari condemns leaders urging 'forceful stop' to Aurat March

The concept being spread through Aurat March is against religious teachings and culture, the petitioners implored the court. “The main motive of Aurat March is to create lawlessness, anarchy and vulgarity in our society.”

They alleged that in the previous march, several women were directly or indirectly involved in disseminating offensive content in light of articles 3, 4, 5, 9 and 14 read with article 227 of the constitution.

The application alleged that the march had missed the direction or desired trajectory and failed to raise grave issues commonly faced by women, including “gender equality, education, employment, workplace safety issues and domestic violence”.

The women petitioners contended that they wish Aurat March reforms into an event which provides knowledge on women rights and inculcates awareness regarding their enforcement.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2020.