“Aurat March” is a buzz word these days. In our society, there is a vast majority that is very apprehended against Aurat March.
This year 3rd Aurat March was celebrated on 8th March in Pakistan. Peaceful protestors in Islamabad were attacked by shoes and stones by the members of Jamat-e Islami.
Parallel to Aurat March, another march was going on in Islamabad which was being held by Jamat-e Islami. This march was claimed to counter the original Aurat march, deeming the former one as a diversion from Islam and Shariah.
The attack on peaceful protestors is not only condemnable but also very shocking, given the levels of rising extremism and fundamentalism in country. Women are threatened for raising their voices and those who partake in Aurat March are demonized due to the negative portrayal of Aurat march on media.
A few hand-picked slogans are circulated on internet, presented in a certain light to reduce the entire movement into sheer mockery against women.
The Women March held by Jamat-e Islami got less media coverage as compared to the former. However, the images circulated on social media where applauded by more conservative and right-wing faction.
In the wake of heated episode of Khalil ur Rehamn vs. Marvi Sirmad, the support for women rights and patriarchy was pretty much divided.
The unification of entire female section of society still seems to be a far-fetched idea in Pakistan since many women still choose to idealize the traditional norms and hierarchy of gender. This is very evident from the recent incident of attack on peaceful protestors in Islamabad.
The attempt to “Islamize” Aurat march through a counter women march raised many questions and concerns among intellectual and left-wingers. Does Aurat march helps to promote women rights? This still remains a question.
Aysha Tahir 