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Watch Sherry Rehman defend Aurat March like a boss

Watch Sherry Rehman defend Aurat March like a boss

"In a democratic society, asking for your rights is valid and extremely important," she said in Senate.
Updated 04 Mar, 2020

Over the course of the past two years, the annual Aurat March has been a union for Pakistani women to display massive resistance through a movement targeted against the structures of patriarchy.

While slurs, abuses and threats are only a few of the ways in which organisers and participants have faced backlash; this year the ball has gone too far in the court as petitions have been filed calling the march 'anti-state' and 'anti-Islamic'.

Condemning this, senator Sherry Rehman - spokesperson for the Pakistan People's Party spoke up in Senate to oppose Molvi Faiz Muhammad who claimed "mera jism meri marzi azadi nahi, awargi hai." (My body, my choice is not freedom, it is obscenity)

"In a democratic society, asking for your rights is not only valid, but also extremely important," Rehman opposed.

Demanding respect from the parliament members, she stated that shaming and degrading those who leave the comfort of their homes to ask for due rights, is a way for men to disregard the struggles of women.

"I am part of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's party, who struggled, and because of whom we are standing here today."

She further called out the hypocrisy and double standards of society who do not put men on the same pedestal.

"This will not happen in Pakistan, and People's Party opposes this!" she concluded, adding "March tou zaroor hoga!" (The March will definitely happen).

Human rights lawyer, Nighat Dad took to Twitter to support and appreciate the powerful response.

Comments

Akram Mar 03, 2020 02:47pm
I have new respect for Sherry Rehman, I want to see her leading the march.
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Fastrack Mar 03, 2020 02:47pm
Yes. But when you need help against a democratically elected government, we are at your service.
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Chacha Mar 03, 2020 02:57pm
She did not slam Maulana, she disagreed with his opinion, incorrect headlines
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khalid Mar 03, 2020 02:59pm
I have never written in favour of anyone from PPP but for this courage, Ms Sherry Rehman must be congratulated. JUI is full of trouble makers and they must be stopped. JUI leadership uses religion for their personal purposes and portrays Islam as a religion full of hate. THEY MUST BE STOPPED.
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haris Mar 03, 2020 04:16pm
"March hoona chahye" - but hey Ms. Rehman, who are you tell us? First go to your constituency and check how miserable the lives of women there. The rural areas of your province is worst than deeply trodden city/slump in the World.
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haris Mar 03, 2020 04:17pm
I believe PPP and Moulana has deeply rooted connection with each other. After all for past 4 decades they are always there supporting each others mischievousness.
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Taj Mar 03, 2020 04:58pm
March to free Dr. Shakeel Afridi.
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haris Mar 03, 2020 05:01pm
Dear Ms. Rehman, Show the same kind of valor in improving the lives of women of your Bhutto province.
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BrownFlower Mar 03, 2020 05:08pm
What has Bilawal got to say now? He was the one standing besides Molana.
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SMI Mar 03, 2020 05:19pm
Yousaf Raza Gilani should take part in the march
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timetostopthis Mar 03, 2020 05:42pm
March or no March, the status of wome will remain the same as before. They will continue to be treated like second class citizens in this highly patriarchial and male dominated society.
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Adrodo Mar 03, 2020 05:48pm
Sherry Rehman what about the millions of girls left out of school in Sindh and not getting basic child care due to corruption of your party in the province. Not to mention the sexual exploitation of peasants and ordinary folk by waders. Hypocrisy.
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M. Siddique Mar 03, 2020 05:53pm
We all stand with SHerry Rehman for Aurat MArch.
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Salman Mar 03, 2020 06:11pm
Maybe sherry can ask bilawal to Fazlu to change his stance, after all bilawal was fazlu’s Partner during azadi march in Oct/nov?
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Moth Mar 03, 2020 06:43pm
Ms. Rehman, Please lead Aurat March with full wisdom and vision. Pakistani Americans are with you. You are the leader of Aurat March. Go ahead. We are with you. Be a leader
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JK Mar 03, 2020 06:44pm
How you change the mind set of people who think women is baby making machine, food cooking kitchen on legs, and servant to husband and his entire family?
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Reader Mar 03, 2020 06:46pm
A nation which does not give equal opportunities to half the population, cannot expect the other half to lead a better life. No nation can progress with only half the population at work, at play, at home. This is all about the mind set, values.
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ghilzai Mar 03, 2020 06:52pm
Senator Sherry Rehman, you are the beacon of hope in south Asia. Pakistanis are fortunate to have your courageous leadership.
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Ijaz Mar 03, 2020 06:52pm
Bravo Sherry!
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Ibrahim S Mar 03, 2020 07:22pm
@Akram we all need to support beyond party lines to send a clear message to religious goons . It would be nice it First Lady also show her symbolic support.
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thinking Mar 03, 2020 07:27pm
So much debate just for a march. What a regressive society and mentality
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N_Saq Mar 03, 2020 07:36pm
I said it before and I will say it again, Mullahism will destroy Pak. Again, if Pak wants to move forward and join the rest of the developed world in the 21st century then Pak must eliminate the 3 isms from the country i.e. Fedualism, Mullahism and VIPism and establish the supremacy of the law by bringing everyone under the purview of the law plus carryout severe punishments if anyone dare breaks a law to send out a clear message to generations to come that do no mess with the law. Also, depoliticize the police force so protects law and order instead of rich and powerful. Additionally, introduce the same system (English medium) in private and public schools so that tomorrow the kids of a poor man can also become PM. Remember you praise IK for his command on English language because of which he is respected in the world and you ridicule NS for reading from chits, so can you imagine the respect of Pak in the world if everyone Pak citizen is like IK?
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Solangi Mar 03, 2020 07:42pm
Why does not she first go to rural Sindh and free poor Haari women from the crimes and bondages of Waderas?
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Mishayl Hussein Mar 03, 2020 07:55pm
She is very foolish March should be postponed with Coronavirus Such utter stupidity
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Farhan Mar 03, 2020 08:00pm
PPP slogan is MY Country My corruption
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A Mar 03, 2020 08:34pm
If you have to ask for your rights, that ain't Democracy.
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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali Mar 03, 2020 08:46pm
Right on Shehar Bano?
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Right Direction Mar 03, 2020 08:46pm
Respect for Sherry Rehman! Aurat March Zaror hoga.
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Saleem Akbani Mar 03, 2020 09:34pm
Religion is a crutch used by morally weak men to control women and others.
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Mrs.khalil Mar 03, 2020 11:15pm
Sherry Rehman, can you please explain about the rights of women , which you are supporting . Do women of your class ever tried to know about the actual rights of women . Branded glasses and designer clothes are the focal points of your March
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Zak Mar 04, 2020 12:37am
Way to go, sherry. Enough of maulana lecturing others while their own backgrounds are shady.
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Shan Mar 04, 2020 03:08am
No doubt; Ms Sherry Rehman is a brave woman, who takes stand against many odds. She is a promoter and a part of the many woman rights bills passed through the Parliament or Senate. Keep it up the good work! Dear Odds, Please do not mix up the Aurat March with Aurat Raaj
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Zubair Mar 04, 2020 04:33am
Please give rights to the people of interior sindh.
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Gulshan Omar Mar 04, 2020 06:05am
Ow, it’s New Pakistan. Thanks to the brave lady “ Ms. Sherry Rehman”. Commendable act Sherry.
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QURESHI ANJUM PERVEZ Mar 04, 2020 06:53am
Go Sherry, Go Girl!
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Yawar Mar 04, 2020 08:53am
It is quite baffling what in Sherry Rehman's short and clear speech irked the Maulanas that they felt compelled to stand up and interrupt her? And what would happen if a woman parliamentarian got up and interrupted a maulana while he was speaking his mind? This holier or better than thou attitude needs to end in our parliament, streets, offices, schools, and homes.
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Pawan Mar 04, 2020 09:54am
Pakistan must focus on such important issues as girls & women's rights to live with dignity and equality, rather than be treated by their men as secondary citizens. Male mindset must drastically transform for which educated men must assert themselves and empower women & girls.
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Sara Mar 04, 2020 09:59am
March for what madam . Pray tell how you treat your women subordinates in the villages. In the offices .
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Ahmed Khalid Mar 04, 2020 01:55pm
Aurat March is the constitutional Right of the women of Pakistan. Aurat March is a step towards progressive society. Women are equal to men in all sphere i.e Economic, Political, Legal, Social etc.
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Omair Mar 04, 2020 09:44pm
March ho ga aur zaroor hoga. Brilliant!
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Pro Woman Mar 05, 2020 08:56pm
Aurat march should go on with its full force, but it should go without the outright condemn-able slogan(s), because Prostitution Is Still Illegal in Pakistan. March participants may want to demand: - 100 percent literacy rate for women - Jobs on merit in all fields - Equal pay, when performed equal work. - Inheritance share . . Above all right to protest or Freedom Of Speech. Good luck with your march, it creates awareness among the masses.
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