Pakistan is an Islamic country that is based on KalmaTayyaba and Muslims live freely here. Fourteen hundred years ago, the last Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) clarified Muslim women’s rights very well. As Pakistan is an Islamic country and Muslim women have all the rights. When Muslim women have all the rights, why is the need for a Women’s March? If you want to know the reason, read the complete article.
Previously, on March 8 every year, we only used to hear this news: ‘On the occasion of International Women’s Day, human rights activists marched in a certain city of Pakistan. After this news, the weather was reported. And in a short time, the newsletter would end. It was a women’s march. Women’s issues are the same as they were a few decades ago. Of course, banners will be the same. However, we didn’t know much more about their objectives.
The women usually demanded rights for themselves. They used to participate in the march holding banners with slogans about atrocities against women. But didn’t have enough media coverage.
Women’s March (Aurat March) in Faisalabad:
In Pakistan, as in the rest of the world, women have been marching for many years. But previously the females were participating in the march at a very small level. Or maybe they were not able to make people understand their viewpoint clearly.
But now, since 2018 the news about women March is no more an ignorable thing. Women are talking about it openly and the media is giving enough coverage. Females are demanding their rights more clearly. Now we can hear the slogans and see their strength. The main reason for the big scale coverage is that their objectives are more relatable to society’s current situation. Instead of demanding equality, they are now asking for their rights.
This time, the March in Faisalabad is going to be stronger as women have started a pre-march campaign “Why I March”. This slogan is giving more and more awareness on social media about the reason for the Women March. Through this campaign, women are sharing their personal experiences of injustice and oppression. They are now explaining the real objective of protest.
Themes of Women’s March:
The main themes of the women’s protest (aurat march) are following;
End of Violence:
According to Qarat Mirza, the slogan is not only against violence and women but is associated with every human being who suffers any kind of violence in society. “Our first demand is a complete and immediate end to all forms of gender-based violence. We want strict policies in the provinces with enacted legislation and proper law enforcement,” she said. We want proper as well as full implementation of law in the country. According to organizers, violence means “violent behaviour indoors, outdoors and in the workplace.”
Right of Freedom:
One of the most important but controversial demands in the Women’s March is women’s liberation. But what is meant by this freedom, Qarat Mirza said in an interview that the slogan of freedom they are raising with the aim of liberation from any kind of injustice. We want freedom from a system that deprives both men and women of their rights.
Economic and Environmental Rights:
According to the organizers of the Women’s March, their third demand is to ensure economic justice for women. According to Qarat Mirza, women at the lowest social level should get protection. It is important to recognize a woman’s hard work and provide her with sufficient wages. If housewives are working in the house, they should be respected. Because if the housewife takes over the house, the man of the house can go out and work or do business. She is contributing equally to home’ stability, so we should appreciate her.
Equal Work, Equal Pay:
One of the demands of women in the Women’s March is related to the emolument of labour. According to organizers, women working at any level usually work more. But they are paying less. This March, they want women to not only have equal employment opportunities but also demand equal pay.
Reproductive Health Rights for Women:
In Women’s protest, they are asking about reproduction rights. It is very essential to give females equal rights to make basic decisions related to their pregnancy and health. It’s a very basic right of everyone to take care of his health.
Right of Participation in Politics:
Another important demand of this March is to make changes for the equal participation of women in politics. Social activist Danika Kamal says it is important to ensure that women, like male politicians, can play a central role.
Reasons for Women’s March:
Today we hear of violence against women, murders and physical abuse. What is the reason for such incidents when women have all the rights? Critics of the Women’s March say that Islam established women’s rights long ago. So the question is whether the rights that Islam has given to women are still being given to them today? Does Islam give men the right to commit domestic violence against women? Kill them? Play with their honours? Critics of the Women’s March must think about it. I want to clear one thing here I am not supporting the Women’ protest at all. I am just talking about those rights that Islam gives to women but men do not.
Referring to the rights of the wife, the Holy Prophet said: “Feed them what you eat yourself, clothe them as you clothe yourself, do not beat them and do not speak ill of them.”
(Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Nikah, Bab al-Haqq al-Marah, Volume 1, Page 291)
If the government of Pakistan and the Pakistani people do not want a women’s protest in Pakistan, then it should make sure that the Pakistani women must have those rights that Islam has given them. A system should be implemented so that women do not have to protest for their rights. Establish a regular organization to protect women’s rights and take strong action against domestic violence and killings and rapes of women. The Pakistani government should take action on the killings, rape as well as physical abuse of women and implement regular laws to stop this.
Cancellation of Women’s March in Faisalabad:
Recently, the women of Faisalabad decided to hold a women’s march in Faisalabad due to the “Noor Muqaddam” murder case. And they demanded a no-objection certificate from the Faisalabad administration. But Assistant Commissioner of Faisalabad rejected their demand. He also threatened the perpetrators. And because of this people are protesting against AC Faisalabad on Twitter and other social media.
“It’s utterly sad that the system reacted against a peaceful and democratic March organized by city students. The administration seemed horrified by the popularity and solidarity of the people of the city. And denied providing any sort of space and protection for a peaceful demonstration, rather, resorted to harassment and threat to the organizers,” said the Aurat March Faisalabad chapter in a Facebook post.
Human rights and political activist Ammar Ali Jan also denounced the action of the administration for, what he termed, throwing threats of dire reaction to the organisers of the Aurat March. He tweeted, “Today’s Aurat March in Faisalabad has been cancelled. Assistant Commissioner Faisalabad threatened to arrest the organizers and called young female students to intimidate them. It’s a blatant example of how the state suppresses women’s movements”.
What do you say about Women’s Protests? And how can the rising rate of women’s murders and rape be controlled? Share your views with us by commenting here.
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