LAHORE: Hundreds of women on Wednesday participated in the Aurat March, a vibrant celebration of National Women’s Day, to demand freedom and social justice for women.

The march also symbolises women’s resistance against oppression and their determination to achieve equality in all spheres of life.

The march commenced at the Lahore Press Club and culminated in front of the PIA building. The women from different walks of life participated in the march, carrying placards and banners, demanding justice and equality.

They chanted slogans such as “Siyasat, Muzahamat aur Azadi” (politics, resistance and freedom), and “Ghar ka Kaam, Sab ka Kaam” (housework is everyone’s duty).

The marchers sang, danced, and chanted slogans in solidarity with women’s struggles around the world.

The event was jointly organised by the Women Action Forum (WAF) and Aurat March Lahore, two prominent organisations dedicated to advocating for women’s rights and social justice.

February 12 holds significant historical importance for the Pakistani women’s movement. On this day in 1983, a group of courageous women defied the military dictatorship of Gen Ziaul Haq by staging a public demonstration in Lahore, despite martial law regulations banning political activities, processions, and protests. The demonstration was a response to the proposed Law of Evidence, which would have reduced the testimony of women to half that of men, reflecting the dictatorship’s attempt to undermine women’s rights.

This historic protest has since become a symbol of women’s unwavering belief in a gender-just democratic order, guaranteeing the full spectrum of human rights for all, especially those who have been historically marginalised.

The Aurat Marches attracts diverse participants, including women, transpersons, minorities, health workers, students, teachers and trade unions.

This year’s march paid tribute to the pioneering members of WAF Lahore, including Asma Jahangir, Madiha Gohar, Lala Rukh, and Farida Sher, who were instrumental in the historic 1983 march.

The organizers also acknowledged the contributions of organisations like the Punjab Women Lawyers Association, Democratic Women’s Organisation, YWCA, APWA, Laboratory Women Workers Union and others.

They saluted women industrial workers, home-based workers, peasants, and teachers who continue to stand against discrimination and confront societal prejudices.

While acknowledging the progress made in passing protective legislation for women, WAF and Aurat March highlight the ongoing challenges women face, including domestic and gender-based violence, denial of inheritance, exploitation of home-based and informal sector workers, sexual harassment, and lack of state support and services for the victims.

Their charter of demands emphasised the need for urgent action to check gender-based violence, ensure freedom of speech and economic justice, besides fight against climate change.

The organisers called upon all Pakistanis to join them in their struggle for rights and equality, democracy, pluralism and dignity for all.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2025