MARCH 8 marked the International Women’s Day. In Pakistan, it was celebrated as ‘Aurat March’ — a procession of feminists and gender-rights activists, mostly from upper-middle and elite classes in Lahore and Karachi.

Although it rightly pointed out some genuine issues, it somehow misrepresented the struggle for gender equality.

The feminist movement that began in the late 19th century was a struggle for gaining equality between women and men. It sought to include women in political decision-making (suffrage rights) and extend basic rights to them as were enjoyed by their male counterparts back then.

However, the Aurat March in question focused on ‘issues’ like how a woman should be allowed to sit with her legs wide open; whether or not she is a lollipop; the (un)necessity of dupatta, etc.

I believe that these issues are not relevant as such and they, in fact, invited ridicule and mockery of a larger section of our society, including women.

Moreover, they diverted attention from genuine problems: The elitist and somewhat Western representation of women’s rights backfired against the actual spirit of feminist struggle. In our culture, sitting with legs wide open is frowned upon even when a man does it. How can it be an expression of women’s liberation then?

The struggle for women’s rights should not be in conflict with our cultural values and religious teachings. It should not promote a Western, elitist perspective. Its focus must be towards areas like education and health that truly empower women. Our nation and youth need to modernise rather than Westernise, and the struggle for gender inequality must be no different.

Fatimah Mehr

Hyderabad

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SOCIAL media is full of banners and posters displayed on the women’s day around the world, particularly in Pakistan, by women belonging to progressive strata of the country’s spectrum.

The slogans looked more like sexiest expletives instead of an effort for highlighting genuine issues confronted by women.

It will be better to raise genuine issues instead of using objectionable slogans.

Aqeel Abbas

Sargodha

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2019