Aurat Azadi March

The Aurat Azadi March (Urdu: عورت آزادی مارچ, lit.'Women's Emancipation March') was started in 2018[1] in Pakistan by members of Women Democratic Front[2][3] (socialist-feminist organization), other organizations like Women's Action Forum (Women's rights organization), Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls alliance, Young Teachers Association, Home-Based Women Workers Union, Awami Workers Party, Awami Jamhoori Party also joined the march on International Women's Day (March 8, 2018) in Islamabad.[4][5] Aurat Azadi March and Aurat March are organized by different groups of women since 2018.[6][7][8] Aurat Azadi March is organized by group of socialist feminists whereas Aurat March is organized by group of liberal feminists.[9] Aurat March was also started the same year by the group of individual women known as "Hum Aurtein" collective in Karachi and Lahore.[10][11][12][13]

Aurat Azadi March is held in different cities of Pakistan to fight against oppressive forms of social, economic and political structures (imperialism, patriarchy, capitalism and colonialism) against women whereas Aurat March is held with a purpose to fight the harassment and violence, minority rights and for economic, environmental and reproductive justice.[14][15][16] According to Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, the ongoing struggle for women and oppressed genders amounts to significant progressive movement in Pakistan history.[17]

  1. ^ "Foundation". Women Democratic Front.
  2. ^ Saigol, Rubina. "Contradictions and ambiguities of feminism in Pakistan : Exploring the fourth wave" (PDF). Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
  3. ^ Khan, Ayesha; Jawed, Asiya; Qidwai, Komal (2 September 2021). "Women and protest politics in Pakistan". Gender & Development. 29 (2–3): 391–410. doi:10.1080/13552074.2021.1981623. ISSN 1355-2074.
  4. ^ "Pakistan – Aurat Azadi March: WDF launched with a pledge to fight patriarchy, social injustice and violence - Europe Solidaire Sans Frontières". www.europe-solidaire.org.
  5. ^ "Aurat March Held Throughout Pakistan to Mark International Women's Day". Research Snipers. 8 March 2020.
  6. ^ "What made Aurat March possible? | Dialogue | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
  7. ^ Lahore, Sabrina Toppa, in (8 March 2019). "Women take to the streets of Pakistan to rewrite their place in society". the Guardian.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Reflection of increasing awareness, acceptance of women's rights". www.thenews.com.pk.
  9. ^ "Aurat March: raging against the patriarchy on March 8 | Dialogue | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
  10. ^ "Aurat March: The "Hum Aurtein" Collective". Charcoal + Gravel. 20 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Aurat March breaking barriers against patriarchy in Pakistan – Intercultural Resources".
  12. ^ "Why the revolutionary Aurat March stands vital today?". www.thenews.com.pk.
  13. ^ Hasan, Shazia (4 March 2020). "'Aurat March seeks to join people for cause of gender justice'". DAWN.COM.
  14. ^ "Islamabad's Women's Day march was met with violent opposition from conservative agitators". Global Voices. 13 March 2020.
  15. ^ Yasin, Aamir (7 March 2020). "'Opponents of Aurat Azadi March oblivious to suffering of women'". DAWN.COM.
  16. ^ "Aurat Azadi March happening due to stark gender inequalities: Organisers". The Nation. 6 March 2020.
  17. ^ Akhtar, Aasim Sajjad (2021-03-05). "March for freedom". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2021-03-06.