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A large number of women, men, gender minorities and human rights activists from south Punjab participated in the Aurat March (women’s march) in Multan.

The march held from Nawanshahr Chowk to Multan Press Club aimed to highlight the demands for women’s fundamental rights, equal opportunities, gender justice, climate justice and ensuring safety at workplaces. The participants raised slogans and showcased their demands through placards and banners.

The march particularly emphasised the rights of working women from southern Punjab, including domestic workers, farmers, teachers, nurses, journalists and other labour classes.

The demands included equal wages and financial rights, environmental justice, safe workplaces, education and health, rights of gender minorities, end to forced marriages and religious conversions, legal and political representation, and digital rights to protect women and gender minorities from online harassment and free access to the internet for all.

The march also demanded justice for the renowned human rights lawyer Rashid Rehman Shaheed, who was murdered in 2014 in Multan for defending freedom of expression and human rights.

The participants called upon state institutions and the judiciary to bring Rehman’s killers to justice and ensure the protection of human rights activists.

Advocate Lubna Nadeem stated, “The organisation of the women’s march is a welcome initiative for society. Our leader Rashid Rehman also fought against the barriers to justice for women, and we are continuing that mission.”

Organiser Laiba Zainab said the march emphasised the protection of the rights of all women and gender minorities. “Our goal is to create a society where every individual enjoys equality, justice, and freedom.”

The organisers stressed that every attempt to suppress the struggle for women’s and human rights will be resisted.

Originally published in Dawn, February 25th, 2025