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The protests now, and the on-site backlash it faces:
Like every year since 2018, The Aurat march collective creates a list of demands for the government of Pakistan and concerned departments. This year’s pleas included (but are not limited to):
- All workers should get living wages, based on access to safe housing, schooling, and affordable healthcare. (About inflation)
- Establishment of safe houses/shelters and funds for the transgender community in Pakistan. (Trans rights)
- An end to forced conversions and child marriages in Pakistan.
Along with demands, a slogan is released concerning the greatest issue in society at the time, this year it was the abuse of women, children, and trans people, “tumhara zulm yaad rakha jayega” meaning, “your abuse will be remembered”.
While some of these things may be normalized in rather juxtaposing ‘liberal’ countries and societies, it is a daily struggle of women and trans people in Pakistan, of all ages. Also, like every other year, anti-feminist reporters exploit the access Aurat march gives to the press to cover the event across different media platforms. My sister was a volunteer photographer this time, she was asked to capture the rage, joy, togetherness, and everything in between; the unfiltered emotion of sisterhood. Whereas the male reporters for local news channels and random micro anti-feminist frustrated male YouTubers that run channels on mobile phones tried to catch every ‘slip’ from every mouth, to try and make a fool of women that are desperate for equality.
I had the honor of having access to places only volunteers could go to, because I was counted as my sister’s assistant, ( I carried her things around and gave her water throughout the event), I got to witness teamwork, effort, and what goes on in the hours before the crowd arrives and the speeches start. I saw the little girls that were the victims of forced conversions up close, the passion and anger in their eyes as they practiced their commentating performances was moving.
That is the true essence of the Aurat march, women being there for women. I saw fathers march for their daughters, sisters, and wives. Young trans people even after being treated like something unholy, stood their ground and showed others that they were not alone, through witty plays, songs, and humor.
It was truly breathtaking, as it is every year, to feel an undeniable safety, the safety of women.
Aurat March is anything but the demonized picture of shamelessness that extremist society portrays it as. It is a celebration of being yourself, unapologetically female or transgender, it is a day of music, femininity, community, and realization for the women of our country. To tell women of every age; you have a voice, and that it is not a sin to ask for respect in your own homes.
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