Aurat March: An Ideology of Equality

0
Aurat March
Activists of the Aurat March carry placards as they march during a rally to mark International Women´s Day in Islamabad on March 8, 2021

It is a struggle, indeed! Remember nothing comes easy in this world specially one’s rights.

Don’t forget until the mid-20th century women in the US and the West were also confined to the four walls of the house and covered themselves from head to toe while girls were considered less than boys. Parents treated boys better than girls i.e. spend money on their education and sports and the girls were discouraged as it was believed that girls were lesser creatures and are more of a liability while the boys are an asset.

Aurat March 2020
A woman’s rally in Lahore protesting against the Zia dictatorship is baton-charged by the police (1980)

Look how far the Western societies have come along in such a short time, why? Because the women fought and fought for their rights and eventually men begin to understand that women are not a liability but rather an asset. Western man finally understood what a woman is and that she is a different gender but overall we all have the same brain and capability i.e. a women can also do what a man can do if given the opportunity and treated in the same manner.

Women’s Liberation, Freedom and Progress is quintessential for any society to not only prosper but just to survive. And, it is great to see the movement taking place in Pakistan. Muslim countries need to catch up on this movement.

“Aurat March” is a platform by woman and for woman who normally have no voice, no podium on which to air their grievances. It has created an inclusive and transformative environment for women, Trans-people and gender non-binary people of incredibly diverse identities to gather together, share their experiences, and find political purpose and support to fight the patriarchy as a collective force.

On the contrary, I fail to understand that why use men as benchmark when there are fundamental biological and physiological differences between men and women? Proposing equality of opportunities is a noble endeavor, but using the march as a male-bashing platform should not be acceptable. Even from a secular perspective, this regressive practice is not condoned.

I also disapprove of the slogans spotted at the Aurat march last year, feminists should be keeping their culture and traditions in mind so as not to go astray like “jihadis”. Well to be true some of the comments were way out of proportion or should I call them unethical. I by all means support equal treatment for both genders but targeting and low bashing of opposite gender only puts the real cause behind and damages the ideology of the movement as a whole.

However, Aurat march should be an active cry for harmony, a movement to congregate diverse ethnicities, religions, socioeconomic groups, and gender identities. It is a platform for highlighting the core issues that women and gender non-binaries have to face on a daily basis – the demands should be for economic justice, for reproductive justice, for women’s political inclusion and their education.

Aurat March 2020
It is difficult to know where to place your feet when you find that the backs that you have been walking on are now standing up.

I hope with aforementioned agenda the march will spread awareness, to bring together people who face the same harsh realities, and to march side by side, knowing that by standing together, and in numbers, there is power to topple even the most oppressive norms.

SHARE
Previous articleCoronavirus Symptoms & Precautions
Next articleIgnoring the Divide
Ali Sulehria is the Staff Writer of Express Tribune. His writing has appeared in Hubpages.com, The Huffington Post, and various Pakistani publications. He continues to keep one eye on the publishing world. He is a Political and Sports journalist with a penchant for writing, all the time. A business grad who enjoys writing, traveling, good food and laughing at his own jokes. Contact: sulehria.ali@gmail.com

NO COMMENTS