Women from across the country take to the streets to celebrate their day
Participants in large numbers at the Aurat March gathering organised in Lahore, on March 8, 2021. PHOTO: Twitter/AuratMarch
A large number of women took to the streets today as part of the Aurat March(es) being held across the country to mark the International Women's Day.
The purpose of the public gatherings was to highlight the plight of womenfolk in the Pakistani society.
The first ever Aurat March was held in Karachi in 2018, that was later extended to other cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Larkana, Multan and Hyderabad. Keeping up with the tradition, these cities and several others are holding rallies dedicated to womens' issues this year too.
The main event in Karachi was held at Frere Hall amid strict guidelines issued to the participants to stay safe from coronavirus, including obseving social distancing. The Organisers also took measures to broadcast the event live in consideration of those who could not physically attend it.
Likewise, in Lahore, the march commenced from Lahore Press Club, culminating at the Punjab Assembly.
The organisers in the city put a "#MeToo blanket" on display, wherein women shared their experiences related to sexual abuse.
Read Suturing inequalities: Aurat March ’21 and what it will entail
While the manifestos of all the chapters of the movement have some common demands, many have chosen to commemorate the day with separate themes.
In Karachi, the focus is on patriarchal violence while in Lahore, 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 criminalisation of virginity tests for victims of rape, setting up of gender-based cells to report violence in police stations, and bringing an end to sexual harassment.
The Lahore chapter has stressed the need for providing equal healthcare opportunities to women, and aiding those suffering from various diseases, such as HIV AIDS.
Politicians express solidarity
Meanwhile, notable personalities and politicians took to Twitter to express solidarity with the women marchers.