KARACHI: While the organizers are determined to stage the controversial Aurat March on the International Women’s Day certain organisations might attempt to thwart it.
It is hoped that relevant authorities have a plan to maintain peace and tranquility.
President Dr. Arif Alvi took to the Twitter to state: “[Power of women is greater than the pen and sword (Jinnah)]. On Women’s Day we agree that Pakistan as a state & all its citizens must ensure for Women: Equal opportunities in education, health & jobs; Inclusion; Ensure inheritance; Safety in all spaces; No harassment & no violence.
In his message PM Imran Khan held: “The observance of International Women’s Day today is reiteration of our commitment to undertake every possible effort to ensure equal rights and opportunities to our women.
“In this effort we are guided by the teachings of our religion, the Seerat of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the core values that distinguish our society.
“It is indeed encouraging to see that our women are proving their mettle in every walk of life and achieving excellence in their respective fields at national and international level.
“I firmly believe that an inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development can only be ensured by providing equal opportunities and a conducive environment to our women.
“I reaffirm my pledge on this day to take all measures that would help our women to lead a safe, secure and prosperous life.”
Relevant pieces published earlier:
Dr. Firdous Awan promises to support Aurat March
6th of March, 2020
ISLAMABAD: PM’s assistant Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has promised here today to extend complete support for the Aurat March (scheduled to be held on Sunday 8th of March) provided it did not trample on Pakistan’s honor.
Holding that strengthening women was the government’s most important mission she stated: “We regret that those people who are introducing slogans in the media in order to empower women do not realise that the victims of that mindset are the women of the society…
“By coming out on roads and raising slogans that are not permitted by values observed by our society, religion or family, what kind of power do (they) want?” She added.
Aurat March and the Marvi-Qamar skirmish
4th of March, 2020
KARACHI: As the advocates of Aurat March are all set to make it happen on the International Women’s Day, there are those who believe it is a move that does not confirm to the social norms of an oriental, Islamic state.
One manifestation of such mindset was observed during a TV Talk Show meant to do brainstorming on the controversial Aurat March. Writer/Director Khalil-Ur-Rehman Qamar got angry when, despite his request that he should be heard without interruption, journalist/women’s rights activist Marvi Sirmed kept on speaking. He abused her using slurs as Marvi Sarmad repeated the one-liner My Body My Choice.
Qamar attempting to stop her, retorted: “What’s in your body? Who the hell are you. Go look at your body and face. No one even wants to spit on it. Don’t talk in the middle. Don’t talk in between the lines. What is your body, bibi? Don’t talk no bloody nonsense. You bloody…Shut up. Bitch!”
The event should not be seen and dismissed only as Marvi-Qamar skirmish. An enormous segment of Pakistan’s population is against the Aurat March and what Qamar said was a crude expression of a large part of the populace of this oriental/Islamic state. Moreover, a huge number of women in this country and the world want to raise their family and work sans breaking the social fabric.
Particularly in Pakistan, in the heart of their hearts, most women (probably all) crave for a married life with children, they cannot go for adventurism. For marriage most of the Pakistani young men and their parents look for girls who adhere to the oriental/Islamic norms. As far as the work and career is concerned, most of Pakistani women, living in the rural areas, engage in a dialogue with nature, 365 days of the year in the fields to produce food to feed the nation. They work even when the feel temperature is below zero or 50 degrees Celsius. They cannot afford the luxury of Aurat March: They are already there!
Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s contract suspended
4th of March, 2020
KARACHI: Geo Entertainment has suspended Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s contract due to his televised skirmish with journalist/women rights’ activist Marvi Sirmed.
In its statement GEO Entertainment held: “Geo Entertainment and 7th Sky Entertainment have suspended four drama serials and one film script contract with Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar until he apologizes for using indecent language in a TV show. This was a non-exclusive agreement, as he was with several other TV channels.
GEO Network believes in the exchange of ideas and in promoting the culture of “Live and Let Live – Geo Aur Jeenay Do. We believe that everyone has the right to express their opinions and a culture of healthy debate should be encouraged.
“However, such debates should be held within the norms of decency and entail respect for one another. Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar not only used abusive language against a woman but also refused to accept his mistake and apologize for it.
Therefore, the management of GEO Entertainment has decided to suspend its contract with him. GEO has always aimed to create an enabling environment for thinking and debate, even if that includes criticism of the organization itself. Geo Aur Jeenay Do.”
Petition against Aurat March on Int’l Women’s Day
By: Neha Ahmed
(Student, Department of Mass Communication, University of Karachi)
KARACHI: The fact that a petition has been filed against holding Aurat March 2020 (and advertising it on social media) manifests that a section of society is not in favor of such movements.
Women activists organize the Aurat March every year on 8th of March to mark the International Women’s Day to celebrate sisterhood, to demonstrate choice, opportunity, to show solidarity and to fight an oppressive patriarchal system that is harmful to all of us.
Women have faced oppression for centuries and that they are finally letting all the pent up frustration, the society that we live won’t even let them do that.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday accepted the said petition to stop Aurat March 2020, scheduled to be held on 8th of March.
LHC Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh issued notices to the federal and provincial governments on an application seeking a permanent ban on the upcoming Aurat March for being ANTI-STATE and UN-ISLAMIC.
Aurat March is misdirection and a failed attempt to raise grave issues commonly faced by women claimed the applicant,
Advocate Azhar Siddique, who agitated the matter by filing a civil miscellaneous application in his an already pending petition for the enforcement of new social media regulations.
The lawyer stated that hundreds of women will once again march with interesting placards displaying various messages that allegedly manifest anarchy and vulgarity.
KP Assembly condemns ‘Aurat March’
21st of March, 2019
PESHAWAR: KP Assembly has condemned the Aurat March that was organized all over the country on the Intl. Women’s Day.
JUI’s Rehana Ismail presented the resolution maintaining that women marched in many major cities holding obscene placards.
The resolution also says the demands made at the event for women empowerment were shameful and un-Islamic.
Journalist Marvi Sirmed’s laptops burgled!
22nd June, 2018
ISLAMABAD: Daily Times correspondent Marvi Sirmed’s house here has been ransacked; unknown burglars have taken away her laptops and travel documents.
Her husband Sirmed Manzoor took to the twitter to report that on return from Lahore after Eid found their home in Islamabad broken into.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan tweeted: Our council member Marvi Sirmed’s long-standing record as a human rights defender speaks for itself in an environment that is increasingly hostile to dissent. Base attempts to intimidate her and others are utterly insupportable.
According to Marvi Sirmed, while two laptops, one smartphone, passports of family members etc were taken away, burglars spared most of her jewelry.
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