LAHORE: It’s that time of the year again, when women of all ages, social backgrounds, professions joined by their male allies take out what’s called the ‘Aurat March’ -- a procession commemorating the annual International Women’s Day on March 8, albeit not without the usual criticism from the religious right-wing that deems the march “anti-Islam”.

Now in its fifth year, the march on Tuesday (today) will commence from Lahore Press Club and culminate outside Faletti’s Hotel on Edgerton Road.

This year’s theme of “Reimagining Justice” or “Asal Insaaf” aims to highlight the issues women and gender minorities face within the legal justice system and how the current system is inadequate for survivors of violence.

In a meeting with the organisers of the march on Monday, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dr Atiya Sultan on behalf of the district administration assured them of foolproof security “to avoid any untoward incidents”.

Following the meeting, the organisers tweeted: “We are grateful for women in public office who pave the way and understand our movement and its importance.”

Earlier in the day, the Lahore High Court had disposed of a petition of the organisers that challenged the administration’s letter, issued on March 3, against holding the march citing security threats and possible conflict on the roads. The letter said if the organisers proceeded with the march they would be fully responsible for the security of the participants.

This year’s march features a couple of art pieces about feminist resistance to highlight how the participants have been harmed by Youtubers, who peddle fake news and spread disinformation, as well as public the experience of gender minorities through sounds.

Following the annual tradition, feminist anthems ‘kurriye mere des diye’, ‘Rapist is you’, some new songs, a monologue and theatre performance will be part of the event too. A new addition this time is playing thedholkiand singing a re-imagined version of the traditionaltappay.

Explaining the idea behind the feministtappay, one of the organisers said there’s a lot of finger-pointing that Aurat March is a Western concept, which is untrue because it’s not that women here didn’t think about their rights.

“Weddings have always been owned by women in our society anddholakis conventionally a ladies affair; it provides a space for women to say a lot through the music in the absence of a platform and festivals to express themselves. This is also a reclamation of festivity and celebration, to have fun, go out and sing for a cause, but also to take it outside of the wedding sphere.Dholkidoesn’t have to be limited to weddings.”

The feminist version of the evergreentappayaims to challenge toxic masculinity and promote softness, highlight the state-level rewarding of harassers and mock the right-wing reaction to Aurat March.

The organisers had held adholkia few days ago to not just sing and play music, but also raise funds for the march to dispel allegations that the event is funded.

“There was an entry fee of Rs300 for anybody who wanted to make a donation, besides the sale of baked goodies,” said the organiser.

Similar marches will be held in Hyderabad, Multan, Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta and Karachi to mark the Women’s Day.

In February, Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri had written a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, asking him to declare March 8 -- International Women’s Day -- as International Hijab Day, claiming the Aurat March held across the country on the day goes against the principles of Islam. A JUIF-leader in Islamabad had also vowed to resist the march, which he claimed spread indecency in the name of women’s rights. The rabid TLP’s Rawalpindi emir also opposed holding of the march, saying its participants resorted to “unethical slogans”.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2022