The March shall go on

Truth be known, women have not been given their due status in Pakistan. Our society is steeped deep in patriarchy where the male member dominates family matters. To this day, it is a traditional part of our patriarchal mindset where families pray that their first born is a boy.

Women are also victims of gender-based violence, sexual harassment, intimidation, coercion and, worst of all, victim blaming. The situation in the rural areas is the worst where the feudal mindset dictates that a woman is considered chattel whose existence is based on the whims of the feudal, living a life of servitude and virtual slavery. Medieval practices such as Vani or Swara, Karo Kari (honour killings) and marriage to the Quran are very much in vogue, even in this day and age, and the government has done nothing about it.

However, times are changing especially in the cities and urban areas where young and educated women are demanding their rights and justice for women.

The harrowing ordeal of Mukhtaran Mai, a young woman who was gang-raped by six men in a village in the rural area of Punjab because her brother had allegedly displayed friendly overtures to a woman of another tribe, and her subsequent audacious and defiant move to report the case to the authorities opened the floodgates of women’s rebellion against injustice and rights in Pakistan. The case brought the attention of the world towards the plight of women in Pakistan. Mukhtaran Mai became an international icon touring the world and attending seminars, workshops and events where she spoke on how women’s rights were usurped in the country. Women in Pakistan drew inspiration and confidence from her and came forward to report the wrongs inflicted on them.

Later, the #Metoo movement gave further incentive to women to demand justice and equality. Alas, in Pakistan the government is apathetic with regards to redressing women’s grievances and does not dispense justice to fit the crime. A case in point is of the young lawyer Khadija who was stabbed multiple times and who relentlessly pursued her case only to see her assailant freed by the court after serving only two-thirds of his sentence.

Similar was the case of Qandeel Baloch, a daring young woman who wished to become a star overnight and worked hard. Though she was the only breadwinner of the family, she was murdered by her brother in the name of honour killing. Unfortunately, he too was acquitted recently after serving a few years in jail.

Women’s Democratic Front (WDF), Women’s Action Front (WAF) and Women Against Rape (WAR) are some of the few women’s rights groups struggling with the challenges women face today.

In 1975, on the 8th of March, the United Nations declared the International Women’s Day to highlight the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. It also focused on the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

On the 2018 International Women’s Day, the Women’s Democratic Front organised the first ever Women’s (Aurat) March in Karachi and in the following years, it was emulated in other major cities in Pakistan. Needless to say, the march was not welcomed by certain segments of society, especially the far right, which described the event as a ploy to promote promiscuity and undermine our eastern culture. Many of the organisers were even called agents of western imperialists.

On its part, the government has given the appearance of being neutral in the fray, but at the same time it refuses to endorse the march. However, this year the government has attempted to take pre-emptive measures to stop the march with none other than the religious minister taking charge who had written to the Prime Minister to call the day International Hijab Day in solidarity with the hijab controversy brewing in India.

There were also threats that the March would be baton-charged by religious mobs to disrupt the event. Luckily, nothing of the sort happened. Similar marches were held in different cities across Pakistan where women demanded equal rights and an end to systemic discrimination.

The Aurat March was organised in three chapters; one in Karachi, one in Multan and one in Lahore. It started from Multan’s Nawan Shehar Chowk at 1pm; from Lahore’s Press Club at 2 pm and Karachi’s Jinnah Park at 3 pm. A slightly different event by the name of Aurat Azadi March was held in Islamabad earlier than usual this year in the form of a rally at the capital’s F9 Park on March 6 where the protestors demanded their rights.

Each chapter of the Aurat March had its own manifesto with Karachi focusing on wages, security, peace and justice; Multan on reimagining the education system and Islamabad on justice, security and freedom.

The Karachi March demanded the provision of a living wage based on access to safe housing, quality education and affordable healthcare for workers and their families; the provision of social security and protection through monthly stipends for all women and the transgender community and prioritising child welfare by putting an end to child labour, trafficking for work, and bonded labour. Meanwhile, the Lahore chapter came up with its agenda after extensive research and meetings with relevant communities including families who have been affected by enforced disappearances, domestic workers, victims of sexual violence and religious minorities. It demanded more holistic reforms which seek to transform society, provide psycho-social support to survivors of violence as well as rehabilitation for perpetrators.

More and more people are realizing and recognising the significance of the day and supporting women’s causes. Banks, food outlets, retailers of brand labels, and corporate offices appreciated their female employees and gave them incentives leading to women empowerment.

However, there are many detractors who do not like women parading in streets demanding their rights. There are those who question the source of funding and say that they are agents of the imperial western countries inimical to the interests of Pakistan. Moreover, the religious right describes the movement as immoral and un-Islamic.

It must be understood that the patriarchal mindset is ingrained in the psyche of the Pakistani male which breeds misogyny and bigotry. Another factor that motivates men is the macho complex that makes them feel superior to women. They want women to be confined to their homes; tending to children, taking care of the elderly, cooking and doing household chores. This is more common in the rural areas as the feudals do not want women to progress in any aspect of life. The thought of women leaving their homes to work and contributing to the family income is appalling for them.

It may be noted that not a single Aurat March has ever become violent. In fact, not even a plant has been uprooted, nor a lamp post damaged in their peaceful protests as opposed to the violent riots resulting in the deaths of 14 policemen by an ultra-right religious party in Lahore.

Women have a long way to go in order to get what is legally their right and the Aurat March is just a stepping stone towards their final destination. The March has become a symbol of resistance against the injustice and mistreatment meted out to them. This is contrary to the teachings of Islam which instruct us to give the utmost respect to women as they are our mothers, daughters, sisters and wives.

Let the women march and speak up for their rights, for a nation that does not respect its women can never develop and progress.

The writer is a freelance contributor