Aurat March attracts diverse crowd

Event highlights rights of women, transgender persons, minority communities

KARACHI:

The seventh Aurat March and Protest Mela 2024 took place at Frere Hall on Friday, attracting a diverse crowd of women, men, transgender persons, and representatives from minority communities.

Throughout the day-long event, participants engaged in discussions addressing the challenges and protection of women, religious minorities, and trans persons. Drum beats set the rhythm as participants danced, shouting slogans such as "My Body, My Choice," "My Dress, My Choice," and "My Religion, My Choice," among others.

The Aurat March also featured a concurrent Protest Mela. Prominent figures, including Aurat March Founder Sheema Kirmani, Co-Founder Pastor Ghazala Shafiq, Gender Interactive Alliance President Bindiya Rana, and social activist Shahzadi from the City Council, participated in the protest.

Three sessions during the Aurat March focused on issues concerning the protection of religious minorities, transgender rights, and women's economic rights. A unique session highlighted a patriarchal graveyard theme, featuring dummies representing the graves of Palestinian martyrs and victims of violence, emphasising the gravity of these issues. Sheema Kirmani led a dance class, bringing cultural expression to the forefront, with participants beating drums and carrying banners bearing empowering slogans.

Muniza Ahmed, a prominent social activist, underscored the challenges faced by religious minorities in the first session. Discussions revolved around the sexual abuse and alleged forced conversions of non-Muslim girls, referencing incidents like the Jaranwala tragedy, where 32 churches were torched.

The second session delved into the economic rights of women and transgender persons, stressing that social improvement is unattainable until these rights are secured. Topics included the impact of inflation on women and discussions on the rights of women working at home.

The third session concentrated on the rights and challenges of the transgender community, emphasising the importance of economic independence. City Council member and transgender activist Shahzadi spoke about the escalating transphobia and violence faced by the community, calling for immediate attention from the government.

While speaking to the media, Sheema Kirmani expressed the symbolic return to Frere Hall, where the movement originated. She highlighted the significance of dance as a form of resistance against negative perceptions and violence in society. The demands of the march encompassed social security, equal rights for women and transgenders, and protection for minority communities.

Speaking at the event, Ghazala Shafiq addressed the sexual abuse of young minority girls and alleged forced conversions to Islam through marriages. Bindiya Rana stressed the simple demand for equality and predicted future electoral success for their cause.

The protesters, marching from Frere Hall to Teen Talwar, disrupted traffic along the route. Arriving at Teen Talwar, they continued their expressions of resistance through dance and slogans, advocating for their diverse demands.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2024.