In various cities across Pakistan, the 'Aurat March' is being held today to mark International Women’s Day. The marches are being attended by women, children, men, transgender people and others.
The first Aurat March was held in 2018 in Karachi. Last year, it was extended to more cities, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Larkana and Hyderabad.
MULTAN
A rally reached at Multan Press Club on Sunday noon while a number of fuctions were held in the city by Jamaat Islami, NGOsand other civil society organisations
This year the march is once again being held in various cities nationwide:
- Lahore: Participants gathered at 11am at the Lahore Press Club
- Multan: 11am at the Multan Press Club
- Quetta: 11am at the Quetta Press Club
- Islamabad: Participants gathered outside the National Press Club at 3pm
- Karachi: 3pm at Frere Hall
Aurat March takes public safety very seriously. We have been working to ensure all necessary steps are taken to ensure a safe march for all our participants, including communicating with authorities. We are hopeful that #AuratMarch2020 will be more accessible and safer than ever.
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Lahore
In Lahore, marchers gathered at the Lahore Press Club. Carrying placards, they played the drums, chanted slogans and clapped.
As the attendees gathered, they chanted slogans calling for the independence of women.
The march went through Egerton road till Aiwan-e-Iqbal.
Two layers of security have been enforced including policewomen.
Islamabad
In Islamabad, Aurat March participants gathered outside the National Press Club at 3pm.
Separately, female members of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) held a march outside the National Press Club.
The participants of the JI march reached China Chowk from the National Press Club where JI chief Sirajul Haq addressed the gathering.
During his address, Haq said that the Election Commission of Pakistan should not name any hopeful who as male doesn't give his sister her inheritance rights.
"In the future, I will not give a party ticket to any man who doesn't give his sister her rights," he said.
Another rally by female students of Jamia Hafsa is also underway in the capital. Starting from Lal Masjid, the rally is headed towards the National Press Club. Authorities erected a partition between the two marches.
Karachi
In Karachi, advocates of women rights held the Aurat March outside Frere Hall. Pakistan Peoples Party-Shaheed Bhutto leader Ghinwa Bhutto also arrived at the venue to participate in the march.
Walkthrough gates have been installed at the venue and contingents of police have been posted to maintain security.
A march was also held by members of the Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) from Arts Council to Karachi Press Club. Participants of the march, led by HBWWF general secretary Zahra Akbar Khan, demanded financial autonomy for women as well as protection against workplace harassment and discrimination.
A 'Haya March' was also held at Teen Talwar by the Pakistan Tahaffuz Movement.
Sukkur
In Sukkur, a rally was held on Saturday night during which participants carried torches.
Delegations from various organisations from Karachi, Hyderabad, Khairpur, Shikarpur and other areas participated in the event.
Today, preparations for the Aurat March are underway. It will be held from Lub Mehran till the Sukkur Press Club.
Groups of women have started to gather at the press club and strict security measures have been taken.
Nangarparkar
An event was also held in Thar's Nangarparkar by Sindh Human Rights Department to mark Women's Day.
Aurat March
The Aurat March, as it has come to be known since its first iteration in 2018, was organised by Hum Aurtain — a feminist collective. It has a manifesto demanding basic rights for women in each field of life.
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