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The Aurat Azadi March explains why we need feminism

The Aurat Azadi March explains why we need feminism

Many Pakistani women face domestic violence, sexual harassment, forced marriages and mental pressure.
Updated 23 Feb, 2021

Whenever March 8 comes around, people start popping up from all over questioning why we need feminism and what good it does.

Unlike the dirty word people have made it to be, Feminism isn't a man-hating movement that seeks to destroy the world as we know it. Instead, it is a movement that advocates for equality and women having the same rights as everyone else (and no, this does not mean less rights for anyone else.)

This year, the Aurat Azadi March Islamabad has a clear answer for people asking what feminism is. A video on its Twitter account explains why women in Pakistan need the movement, and it's spot on.

Even though 52% of Pakistan's population is made up of women, they are still thought of as second class citizens, says a volunteer at the Azaadi March, Rabab Zehra. Women have to fight for their right to education, health and safety, she explains.

"Many Pakistani women have to face domestic violence, sexual harassment, forced marriages and mental pressure."

She also explains that women aren't always safe in public spaces. On public transport, or anywhere where there are men, women are in danger of being stared at, having things said to them and being groped, she says.

"Women have to fight a war in which they are told they are less than men," Zehra explains.

"This is why we need an alternative ideology, which believes in the principle of equality and justice. We need an ideology which can guarantee political, social, economic, and individual rights of men, women and people of all genders. That ideology is called feminism."

The Aurat Azadi March is, as always, on Women's Day, March 8 across Pakistan (and the rest of the world) and we hope we'll see you there.

Comments

hamid shafiq Feb 23, 2021 02:05pm
Freedom for Women in Islam is no match with any other religion and society. But people don't learn the Islam.
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M. Emad Feb 23, 2021 02:10pm
. . . . 'Even though 52% of Pakistan's population is made up of women, they are still thought of as second class citizens, says a volunteer at the Azaadi March. Women have to fight for their right to education, health and safety, she explains. . . . . Many Pakistani women have to face domestic violence, sexual harassment, forced marriages and mental pressure.' . . . .
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oldhabibian Feb 23, 2021 02:15pm
In my family we have always been amused by the movement! Because it is a family of strong women. They are educated, they take initiative when nobody else does and they don't complain. And having lived abroad, the women here, especially the well off ones don't know how easy they have it here, with rows of servant and not having to work. They have the best of both worlds. So with time at their hands, go out and complain!
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M. Saeed Feb 23, 2021 02:19pm
Women have long conquered men in the fight for the survival of the fittest in human civilisation. Today, women are more in numbers than men in the world population, they outlive men by several year on average, they far excel men in the educational competence and exams and they are much more presentable than men in most of the cases.
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S Feb 23, 2021 03:31pm
Should start with at least allowing women to wear choice of dress.
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S Feb 23, 2021 03:35pm
Separate women from Religion. Let them how they want, should not get dictated by religious leaders or men in the family. Just like how boys are allowed to behave and choose.
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Tchala Singh Feb 23, 2021 03:58pm
Western shenanigans. Women are mostly at the position of authority in almost every household in the middle and upper class i.e. the Saas, Daadi, Naani, Mother, the angry authoritative Wife. They are surely ill treated in the lower classes but then again; an Azadi March cant yield anything from that class.
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Hussain Feb 23, 2021 04:24pm
There are no better rights for women anywhere except Islam. However this azadi march is for sure for the western type of azadi and is a sponsored activity. Instead if they ask for Islamic rights rather than azadi, the march will be a great success. And remember that if a woman gets her Islamic rights, she is way better than western woman who has a tough life. In Pakistan women are privileged and treated with respect, but in west they have no special privileges and the violence against them is same. A food for thought
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Bilal Feb 23, 2021 05:14pm
Women are superior to men in various fields, say mother, for instance. In the same way men are superior to women in some other fields. Both of them are not equivalent. And here are some women want to be like men. Is it inferiority complex? Or something else?
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Sami Feb 23, 2021 06:55pm
@M. Emad , you seem to have very good knowledge of Pakistan internal affairs. Why do you still conceal your identity?
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Chrís Dăn Feb 23, 2021 09:26pm
@S impossible in Pakistan.
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Chrís Dăn Feb 23, 2021 09:29pm
@Hussain secular laws give equal property right to woman to her brother. Then in case of marriage the man shares 50% of property with his wife. Not in Pakistan.
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Ibrahim S Feb 24, 2021 02:19am
@Bilal what are you trying to say. Are you better than your sisters?
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kabeelakhan Feb 24, 2021 11:00am
@S Will you keep your suggestions to yourself.
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kabeelakhan Feb 24, 2021 11:02am
@Ibrahim S He could be or may be the other way around. What the fuss all about?
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