History repeated itself today as women from all over the country came together to celebrate Women’s Day with the second official Aurat March. This year, the march was organised in the spirit of solidarity and sisterhood, and to reclaim safe spaces and equal rights for women as always.
We are all familiar with the infamous placards that struck a media frenzy last year, but women seemed to have upped their game this time around in all aspects. Not only were the demands bolder than ever, the turnout was monumental as well. The slogans varied from being informative and witty, while some were just downright badass. Check out some of the highlights!
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 8, 2019
A glimpse into the universe when you subtract patriarchy and misogyny and just let people be. We feel safe, we feel happy and the world has not burn into ashes. Maybe, equalilty isn't so bad after all? #AuratMarch2019 pic.twitter.com/vNqiy30lUg
— Janab Fariha (@Fay_Alif) March 8, 2019
At #AuratMarch Lahore. pic.twitter.com/1kAJ1WQCto
— Saman Tariq (@stariq88) March 8, 2019
Holding up traffic pic.twitter.com/zB906tI0Z2
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 8, 2019
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 8, 2019
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 8, 2019
In addition, the march was also joined by prominent figures, like Meesha Shafi, Adnan Malik, and Mira Sethi.
Meesha Shafi joined by an awesome dholchi at Alhamra Lahore #AuratMarch2019 pic.twitter.com/X9vlvgCuaE
— عثمان علی (@Klashanfork) March 8, 2019
https://instagram.com/p/BuwGQ5-HznB/
And as expected, the slogans have given rise to mixed emotions on the social media, majorly inclining towards an uproar by people who did not attend the march. Some apparently though the event was just for the elites.
Koi aik middle class ya lower class dikha do in main. Sab ameeron ke chonchlay. Mard driver Mard guard Mard cook Mard assistant. Mard GOR KAN https://t.co/LthxCUnIYE
— Follow Kero Sawab Milega (@OhShahjee) March 8, 2019
Some people thought the banners were ridiculous, and disrespectful to the women themselves.
some of the banners in Aurat
march were literally ridiculous.
Respect yourself a little, girls.Screw whoever gets triggered.
— No. (@wotevzz) March 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/HaniyaMalic/status/1103999828596584448?s=20
https://twitter.com/lostsoul_xx/status/1104071993006190593?s=20
While some thought the discourse should have focused on rather grave issues.
https://twitter.com/yaamithinks/status/1104031714228293634?s=20
Dear Feminazis, please tell me where is the women empowerment in these pictures? Literally, you can relate these to Aurat March? Are these the major problems of women in Pakistan? no education, no health?
Shame!#AuratAzadiMarch2019 pic.twitter.com/ZjkgcVbcmk
— Hamza Sohail Samla (@HamxaSamla) March 8, 2019
And some people believed only a specific type of women attend marches as such.
Pagal hain wo sary jo aj aurat march pay gaye!
— Manahil (@HawwHaye) March 8, 2019
Attention seekers jatay hain aurat March mein
— غا۔ (@ghazia_waqar) March 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/MrsNoogrudges/status/1104074169866768385?s=20
On the other hand, there were many who were amused to see people getting heated up over mere slogans.
Me rn watching all the men spontaneously combusting. #AuratMarch pic.twitter.com/NoyQDnCspF
— Janaab (@crayonsocks) March 8, 2019
To all the men in my mentions who are seriously butthurt by a fucking poster, where is this outrage when women are abused, attacked and ostracized just for existing in this world?!
— very smol snek (@verysmolsnek) March 8, 2019
you can practically hear the outraged cries of men over these slogans/banners. yay kia? sadion ka unchecked behaviour call out ho raha hay??? demands for accountability?? unheard of!!
i’m so proud of my feral, bold hellcats. ab chup nahi rahain gay! #AuratAzadiMarch #AuratMarch
— chai icon ™ (@shahitukray) March 8, 2019
And some had a few words to add as an afterthought.
Yeh Pakistani mardon ki sirf signs se itni gaand jali hui hai I wonder how they gonna survive actual change
— Baseer Aaqash (@BaseerAaqash) March 8, 2019
guys, save your energies. if people are still finding issues with the march DESPITE very clear manifestos and representation from diverse backgrounds, then their brain cells are fried by the one time they had to microwave their own food. nothing can salvage that.
— Faizan. (@merabichrayaar) March 8, 2019
And evidently, a lot more who thoroughly enjoyed the slogans, and fully supported the purpose behind the whole cause.
aurat march posters are incredible my paki women outSOLD im SO filled with love❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
— stacy's mom (@grungesymphony) March 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/painingveins/status/1104062535534301184?s=20
Just saw some of the posters for Aurat March and i'm so so proud of ever single person who went out there. #AuratMarch2019 pic.twitter.com/R7noBN7z5W
— Sana (@sanababarr) March 8, 2019
all these slogans are so !!!!! #AuratMarch2019
— ☁️ (@Mahnxr) March 8, 2019
Such wholesome scenes from the Aurat March
— Qasim Farooq (@MangoLassC) March 8, 2019
I loved, LOVED attending Aurat March today. All the women seemed so strong and fierce and unapologetically themselves. It was a breath of fresh air, something I’ve missed. These are the people I crave to be surrounded with, the ones that inspire me. And dear God Am I inspired.
— . (@lubdubbadub) March 8, 2019
To sum it all, it was a fearless initiative taken by women, for women, which should be lauded for days to come. The times where women were silenced over their basic rights are better left in the past, and it is crucial to bond and fight for a safe space in a misogynistic society. With that said, Happy Women’s Day! Let’s smash the patriarchy, together.
