‘Aurat March’ being held across country to mark Int’l Women’s Day

LAHORE (92 News) – In various cities across Pakistan, the ‘Aurat March’ is being held on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day. Women across the country came out to mark International Women’s Day by joining the Aurat March. The march was held in Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Islamabad. It is noteworthy that the first ‘Aurat March’ was held in 2018 in Karachi. Last year, it was extended to more cities, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Larkana and Hyderabad.

Lahore

In Lahore, participants gathered at 11am at the Lahore Press Club. Carrying placards, they played the drums, chanted slogans and clapped. As the attendees gathered, they chanted slogans calling for the independence of women. The march went through Egerton road till Aiwan-e-Iqbal. Two layers of security have been enforced including policewomen.

Islamabad

In Islamabad, Aurat March participants gathered outside the National Press Club at 3pm. Separately, female members of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) held a march outside the National Press Club. The participants of the JI march reached China Chowk from the National Press Club where JI chief Sirajul Haq addressed the gathering. During his address, Haq said that the Election Commission of Pakistan should not name any hopeful who as male doesn't give his sister her inheritance rights. “In the future, I will not give a party ticket to any man who doesn't give his sister her rights,” he said.

Quetta

Women in Quetta marched against honour killings, acid attacks, denying women education and harassment, among other issues. Men also participated in the march and said they will work towards ensuring women get their rights. International Women’s Day is being observed across the world including Pakistan to raise awareness against gender bias and to take action for equality. This year’s theme of the Day is “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”. International Women’s Day is being observed worldwide to acknowledge the outstanding contributions by women in different fields across the globe. It is pertinent to mention here that the UN first celebrated International Women’s Day during International Women’s Year in 1975. By 1977, the UN and its member states declared March 8 as an official day for women’s rights and world peace. The day will be observed in Pakistan as well with different seminars, conferences and events in the country to highlight the significance of the role of women in the society. In Islamabad the day would be marked with rallies and a day-long programme featuring traditional food by women entrepreneurs, folk music and dance, artisan’s stalls, display of paintings by students and a seminar on women rights and law in Pakistan at the Lok Virsa. Rallies would also be held in Karachi and Lahore at different locations.

Google celebrates International Women’s Day with doodle

Just like every special occasion, Google is celebrating International Women’s Day with a Google Doodle. To mark the day, Goggle released an animated video designed to represent both the history of the day and the significance it has for women across generations. In their separate messages on the Women’s Day, President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan have called for ensuring to provide equal opportunities to women in all fields.