Organizers made sure that the march was inclusive and representative of the women from all segments of the society. She adds that there was quite a backlash at certain placards on social media and they are still being debated.
She says it is people’s right to disagree with the placards but to discredit and blame the organizers as foreign agents was uncalled for. She also said women who were against the Aurat March were ingrained with patriarchy and do not know that it has chained them.
On March 8, Aurat March took to streets again this year to celebrate the International Women’s Day in Pakistan. The main demand was freedom: Freedom from patriarchy and from regressive norms that don’t let women achieve their full potential.
The event was attended by women from all walks of life. A plethora of celebrities, social workers, students and others attended the march in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, Quetta, Hyderabad and Peshawar. This year’s theme was to bring justice to the peripheries. Women were invited to speak about the injustice and discrimination faced by them.
The march also saw musical performances, speeches and poetry. The event was also graced by rockstar Meesha Shafi who charged the audience with her songs.