Aurat March 2019: Women paint the city of Lahore pink

LAHORE: Like last year, to mark International Women’s Day in Pakistan, women in all major cities across the country, including Lahore, came together to defy stereotypes, discriminatory norms and sought an end to patriarchy.

In Lahore, the iconic march saw a massive turnout of women, as well as men, hailing from all classes, ethnic and religious groups, who united under the banner of Hum Aurtein - the driving force behind the laudable movement.

To get exclusive insights on the march held in Lahore, The News spoke to eminent lawyer Nighat Dad over the phone. 

Dad, an activist and advocate by profession  co-organises the march annually. 

Stressing the need for such events that are set with an aim to promote women empowerment,  she said, "The basic purpose to put together the march was to demand and raise our voice for provision of fundamental rights to women, including economic, reproductive, security and environmental inequality and seeking an end to police and state brutality. These are the rights that the constitution of Pakistan promises, however they are still not accessible and exercised when it comes to women."

Dad added, "Moreover, the march was organised to assert that we as women do not need men to represent us. It very much comes as a much-awaited epiphany, an awakening about how men need to stop dominating women in all spheres of life. And they can do this by starting to listening to women at the very least."

Talking about considerable male participation at the march, Dad said, "The response from the men was amazing. It was reassuring to see them letting women lead the movement, something that tells me our time is here!"

When asked about the impact and change she wishes to see in the society, the famed lawyer stated, "The march is a testament to the fact that more and more women as well as men are getting educated with time."