Thousands of women rally for rights across cities

Thousands of women took part in rallies across the country on Wednesday despite efforts by authorities in several cities to block their marches in connection with International Women’s Day.

Unlike previous years, this year’s participation in the marches was lesser at several places, particularly in Punjab. One notable factor could be the election campaign announced by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The traffic congestion in Lahore might have contributed to lower turnout. Earlier, the Punjab government had imposed Section 144 in Lahore, banning public gatherings and rallies, citing security threats and public nuisances for seven days.

Authorities in Lahore had refused to provide security, despite allowing a “modesty” counter-march to go ahead, before a court ordered them to back down.

“It’s ridiculous how we have to go through the same drama every year... Why are they so afraid of women demanding their rights?” asked Soheila Afzal, a graphic designer.

In Islamabad, organisers refused to comply with orders to confine the gathering to a city park. The peaceful demonstration in the capital turned violent as protesters and law enforcers came face to face after the activists tried to enter a ‘restricted area’.

Clips of the violent incident surfaced on social media as cops tried to prevent the activists, mostly women, from marching toward their destination, which prompted a heated debate. Later, the march was allowed to proceed toward D-Chowk.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that police personnel involved in baton-charging the participants had been suspended. In a tweet, he said “other persons responsible for misbehaviour” were also being identified and action would also be taken against them.

“Women used to be quiet, but now we have women on roads talking about their rights and justice and I think that is the change they were looking for,” said 24-year-old NGO worker Aisha Masood.

In Karachi, judges dismissed a legal challenge by an individual to ban a related rally scheduled for the weekend so that working women could attend.

Subsequently, women from across the city took part in a solidarity march, calling for the repeal of laws that were discriminatory towards women and to ensure the implementation of minimum wage laws.

The participants held banners and placards including tributes to prominent women including Fatima Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto, Asma Jahangir, Shanta Bukhari and others. They also chanted slogans for women’s rights.

Speakers at the march said that women workers were among the worst affected groups due to layoffs from factories and workplaces. They said that the economic crisis and runaway inflation had made the situation worse for such workers.

Their demands also included better legislation for protection against sexual harassment at the workplace, prompt action on gender-based violence, and a crackdown on the kidnapping and forced conversions of Hindu women.

“The whole point of the Aurat March is to demand the security and safety that women are not afforded in this country and society,” said Rabail Akhtar, a schoolteacher in Lahore. “We are not going to sit silently anymore. It’s our day, it’s our time.”

The Aurat March is seen by critics as supporting elitist and Western cultural values in the Muslim country, with organisers accused of disrespecting religious and cultural sensitivities.

Counter marches are also held in most cities, where women from the religious groups call for modesty and “family values” to be upheld. “I will not defend men because we live in a patriarchal and male-dominated society,” said 45-year-old Asia Yaqoob, at a rally of more than 1,000 women in Islamabad.

“But we have to ensure an end to violence while confining ourselves within the parameters of Islamic Shariah. The beauty of a woman lies in covering her body in a way that our religion teaches.”

(WITH INPUT FROM AFP)