‘Aurat March’ held in Quetta

It was for the first time a women march had been organised in the provincial capital

QUETTA: Marking International Women’s Day, marchers organized “Aurat March” in Quetta demanding equal rights for women, their right to health and education and end to forced conversions.

The rally kicked off from Quetta Press Club as large number of women from different communities including Hindu and Christian participated in the march.

Hamida Noor, a human rights activist, said that it was for the first time a women march had been organised in Quetta.

“Murder and violence cases are common in Balochistan. Laws are implemented in other provinces but the situation in Balochistan is alarming,” she said.

Social worker Rafia Malik observed that awareness was trying to be created through the march as women do not have their basic rights in Balochistan.

“Everyone is criticising the slogans of Aurat march without giving a thought.  We request every individual to understand what [message] the women of the march are trying to convey,” she said.

Qamarun Nisa, a lawyer, noted that women in Balochistan faced issues like honour killings, acid attack, deprivation of education and harassment.

Along with women, men also participated in the rally and assured the women of their full support in acquisition of their rights.

“We are here to show our support and laud the courage of these women who have come to create awareness,” Behram Baloch, a social activist said.

The participants later marched back to the press club after going through different routes where the rally ended.

They vowed to continue their struggle for women’s rights and solutions to their problems.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal reiterated his government’s resolve to continue efforts for safeguarding the rights of women.

In his message on International Women’s Day, Kamal maintained that Islam had given so much dignity and respect to women that the West could not even imagine about it.

He said the government was introducing reforms for the uplift of women and noted that no society can progress without the active participation of women in all walks of life.

“The government is taking steps to help women benefit from their skills according to the tribal values,” he said and added that the government aimed at providing a safe working environment to the women.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2020.