With the Aurat March scheduled to take place this weekend, things are heating up with the controversy surrounding it keeps getting bigger. So far, a petition has been filed and dismissed in the Lahore High Court, an acclaimed writer verbally abused a social activist on live television and posters and murals of the march have been torn down in different cities.
Amidst all the debate, singer Quratulain Balouch, popularly known as, QB posted a controversial statement on Twitter. QB gained popularity after she sang the title track – Woh Humsafar Tha – for Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan’s super hit drama Humsafar.
The singer’s comment sparked outrage, following which women, including Senator Anny Marri and model Eman Suleman, took to social media to school her.
No. Just NO. And also, it’s not “her” rights she shouts for. It’s yours. And the “real feminist” will continue to shout for you and others like you – even though really, you don’t deserve it. https://t.co/hiRMXc4xzA
If real feminists had not shouted for OUR rights you would not be enjoying the privilege of using YOUR voice to sing. And today you would not have this platform and that blue tick. ♀️ https://t.co/WUtze6qNPo
Real feminists dont put down other women who vocalize their demands. Dont paint our struggle as hysterical by using words like “shouting”. If you dont have the moral courage to stand with us, the least you can do is not stand in our way because of your internalized misogyny. https://t.co/lgbCCIwlLp
— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) March 5, 2020
A real feminist not only shouts for her rights but everyone else’s too. Including yours. Be grateful to the women who came before you and fought for your right to speak. Stop making ignorant statements. Stop telling women to suffer quietly. https://t.co/tBNX7xDWYo
With the Aurat March scheduled to take place this weekend, things are heating up and the controversy surrounding it keeps growing. Till now, a petition has been filed and dismissed in the Lahore High Court, an acclaimed writer verbally abused a social activist on live television and posters and murals of the march have been torn down in different cities.
The slogans and posters of the Aurat March have created the most amount of controversy, in particular, ‘Mera Jism, Meri Marzi’. While some say the slogan is “vulgar” and is used by women marchers in “an attempt to westernise the Pakistani society”, the marchers themselves say it pertains to “the right of choice and safety of women and even minor girls who are subjected to sexual assault in this very society.”
It was also this slogan which Khalil ur Rehman Qamar was criticising when journalist Marvi Sirmed murmured it as he was speaking causing him to spew abuse towards her. Qamar’s actions sparked a whole new debate in which several members of the entertainment industry got involved.
Mahira Khan, who was one of the first actors to condemn Qamar for his words and actions, posted a note to social media in which she talked about why she marches.
“We are a country getting used to the idea of equal rights, Me Too, Times Up. All of us, as those in positions of power and privilege should speak a language that a common man would understand. We don’t march for ourselves. We march for those who can not march for themselves,” she wrote.
I’m sure those who have been organizing the Aurat March are experienced, have been working for years for the cause of women..they have a better idea of what should and should not be done. I write out of pure observation. #WhyIMarchpic.twitter.com/D3AUQYM3Re
Agree wholeheartedly. Using this platform to be a provocateur is going to be playing into the hands of those who call all protests “fahashi” and all demands “liberal agenda”. I hope come March 8th, we see ppl on both sides understand each other better not the other way around. https://t.co/QvOWpygj1L
Meanwhile, some organisers of the Aurat March disagreed with Mahira’s comments and explained to her that provocative and instigating posters are there to demand attention.
It is our urban morality that finds certain language or slogans provocative. The discomfort is something those feeling it need to process & figure out for themselves, not those expressing the slogans. Each slogan reflects a lived reality. A social ill. Discrimination. Inequality.
Protests by virtue of their design and purpose are supposed to shock and make people take notice and think, which the posters and slogans from last years did. A protest where you placate is not only oxymoronic but also just plain moronic. https://t.co/KYg6sMtLmM
All the concerns were raised, had placards. You’re right to think the women organizing and volunteering their efforts for the March have a better idea. Why not amplify their voices instead? Their social media accounts are very active and informative @AuratMarchKHI@AuratMarch
This sounds an awful lot like tone policing…. plus a bit condescending to be fairly honest. I’ll say this as many times as it needs to be said. We WERE holding placards that highlighted all the issues mentioned. ♀️ https://t.co/AdULZDrblE
Responding to the explanations, Mahira said that she stands corrected, adding that she still “believes that certain things said/written out of rage dissuade us from engaging in dialogue which brings about change.”
You’re right. Also, #merajismmerimarzi is not what I was talking about when I said ‘careful about the words we put out’. In any case, I stand corrected. https://t.co/mr3iq2LD85
Farieha, I still believe that certain things said/written out of rage dissuade us from engaging in dialogue which brings about change. This is my opinion. And I shall continue to engage with people like you.I feel sad and strange saying this – but thank you for not abusing me. https://t.co/sd6kEByExP
With the Aurat March scheduled to take place this weekend, things are heating up and the controversy surrounding it keeps growing.
A petition was also filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the march with the petitioner calling the march “un-Islamic” with a ” hidden agenda to spread vulgarity.” However, the LHC dismissed the petition saying it couldn’t be banned under the law of the land.
The slogan ‘Mera Jism, Meri Marzi’, in particular, stirred a storm with Khalil ur Rehman Qamar abusing journalist and human rights activist Marvi Sirmed on live television. While some say the slogan is “vulgar” and is used by women marchers in “an attempt to westernise the Pakistani society”, the marchers themselves say it pertains to “the right of choice and that to safety of women and even minor girls who are subjected to sexual assault in this very society”.
Here are some interesting posters from the Aurat March’s official Instagram account which explain ‘Why Women March’.
Despite being an annual event, every year when the date of the Aurat March approaches, people begin to lose their calm and begin to target the march, its organisers and women in general. This year, the march’s posters were torn down and a petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the march. The petitioner had claimed that the march was ‘anti-state’ and ‘anti-Islamic’. However, the LHC disposed of the petition.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator and senior member Sherry Rehman, while condemning the outrage against the march, slammed JUI-F’s Maulvi Faiz Muhammad who had remarked that “Mera jism meri marzi azaadi nahi, awargi hai (My body, my choice is not freedom, it is obscenity).”
Rehman not only defended the march but also slammed Maulvi Faiz for his comments on the march.
Human rights lawyer, Nighat Dad took to Twitter to support the powerful response.
It is pertinent to mention here that the PPP, including Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, has thrown its weight behind the march and are supporting it.
Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari also tweeted her support for the march.
Our govt is committed to ensuring an end to discrimination against & harassment of women & has put in place programmes, policies & legislative measures to empower women & girls.
The Aurat March is scheduled to take place on March 8 to commemorate International Women’s Day. Last year, women from all across Pakistan came together to participate in the march.
The Lahore High Court has accepted Judicial Activism Council Chairman Azhar Siddique’s petition to ban the Aurat March.
According to reports, LHC has summoned Additional Director Cybercrime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency and Deputy Inspector General Operations on February 27 in this regard.
The petitioner Azhar Siddique has claimed that the Aurat March is a foreign conspiracy.
“There are various anti-state parties present who are funding this Aurat March with the sole purpose of spreading anarchy amongst the masses.”
He also objected to certain placards held at the march iterating that the march is “against the very norms of Islam” adding that it has a hidden agenda to spread “anarchy, vulgarity, and hatred.”
“During last year’s Aurat March, women were holding placards that had objectionable messages,” read the petition.
LHC directed the federal government lawyer to seek instructions from the Ministry of Interior and inform the court about what can be done in this regard.
The Judicial Activism Council Chairman has previously attempted to file an FIR (first information report) against women holding “objectionable placards” at the march. He had submitted an application to the Capital City Police Office (CCPO) Lahore. However, the police did not take any action.
Azhar had also submitted another application to enforce the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 and Citizen Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020 against the Aurat March and demanded to “stop the promotion of anti-state activities such as Aurat March on social media.”
The Aurat March is organised every year on International Women’s Day. This year the march is scheduled for March 8. Last year, women from all across Pakistan came together to participate in the Aurat March 2019.
The Aurat March has released an Urdu version of the Chilean protest song A Rapist in Your Path that talks about rape culture and victim-shaming.
A Rapist in Your Path is based on the work of Argentinian theorist Rita Segato, who debates that sexual violence is a political problem, not a moral one. The anthem has been performed in Latin America, the United States and Europe.
According to a statement by the Aurat March, the song condemns the judicial system’s failure to protect women and their rights and raises awareness about the culture of violence in society. It says this culture is growing, with acts of violence being normalized and women being shamed and often blamed after reporting such acts.
The lyrics of the song explain how institutions, the police, the judiciary and political power structures uphold systematic violations of women’s rights.
“The rapist is you. It’s the cops. The judges. The state. The president. The law. The feudal. The clerics”.
The Aurat March has made some additions to the original lyrics to include feudal and clerics in the song.
Another part of the song describes the ways how women are blamed for falling victim to sexual violence.
“And it’s not my fault / nor where I was / nor what I wore. The rapist is you”.
With its message, the song calls on people to do this anthem against rape during the Aurat March on March 8.
Social change activist and artist Shehzil Malik took to social media to call for poster design submissions for this year’s Aurat March.
OPEN CALL FOR AURAT MARCH 2020 ARTWORK! . Be part of Aurat March 2020 by designing a poster that shows why you think womxn should march for their rights in Pakistan. Selected posters will be used around Pakistan and online as a call to join @AuratMarchpic.twitter.com/h4c5MFjqSh
REQUIREMENTS: Text: Artwork must include “Aurat March 2020”. Other text is open to you. Poster should incorporate both English and Urdu/ regional languages. Dimensions: 18”X22.5” at 300 DPI Medium: Any media can be used- digital or traditional art; photography, sculpture.
The march was organized by feminist collective Hum Aurtain in Karachi last year to bring women together in a public space to raise voice for their rights in the country.
Shehzil shared a poster with the caption “Be part of Aurat March 2020 by designing a poster that shows why you think womxn should march for their rights in Pakistan.”
She also explained the meaning of the term ‘womxn.’ In a separate tweet. “Womxn is a term that is used to be inclusive of trans and non-binary women.”
SUBMISSION: Email us your poster designs at Auratmarchlahore@gmail.com . DEADLINE: Feb 15th 2020 . SPREAD THE WORD! . (“Womxn” is a term that is used to be inclusive of trans and non-binary women) .#auratmarch2020#auratmarch
Aurat March started in 2018, where many women, children and men got together in Karachi only. Last year, the march extended to other cities such as Lahore, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Quetta, Peshawar and Faisalabad. Many people took part in the movement for gender justice. The march across different cities of Pakistan is held to celebrate International Women’s Day that is on March 8.
