The Aurat March was launched across Pakistan to highlight the issues faced by women in the country. It called for more accountability for violence against women, support those who experience violence and harassment in public spaces, at home, and the workplace.
The social movement soon gained controversy certain conservative mindsets objected to some of the provocative posters displayed by the participants. This eventually led to threats, intimidation and a smear campaign was launched against the organisers to hold the movement.
Aurat March in Faisalabad
A campaign rally of the ‘Aurat March’ was cancelled on Sunday, August 1 allegedly under pressure from the city administration. The incident once again showed the rising extremism across the country and attempt to stifle differing viewpoints, bringing disrepute to the nation across the world.
The students, civil society and women had planned to organise the Aurat March to raise a voice against “ongoing femicide and protest the brutal murders of women all over the country in the name of ‘isolated incidents’ and to make collective social change in the way women are treated”.
The charter of demands said the objectives included an end to all gender-based violence, especially violence against women, and other gender minorities by patriarchal institutions and forces.
The 20 demands and objectives included protection of rights of women and trans persons, establishing gender-based violence reporting cells, led by women or trans policewomen, toll-free hotline for reporting domestic violence cases, special centres for abuse victims, implementation of laws against women abuse and child marriages and steps to end honour-killing incidents.
The organisers, mainly students and their teachers, had launched an online campaign in support of the march on social media days back and also applied to the district administration to issue them a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to hold the march.
‘Security threats’
The authorities have not given a definitive reason for not allowing the Aurat March. The Assistant Commissioner refused to grant permission and allegedly also threatened to arrest the and lodge cases against them.
Assistant Commissioner Faisalabad Ayub Bukhari said that the organisers were holding the protest without obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC). He said there was a lot of security threats and risks including the advent of Muharram for not granting the permission.
Bukhari clarified that he does not give permissions for such events which is the prerogative of the Deputy Commissioner. Another reason is the restrictions placed due to the coronavirus pandemic while it has also been revealed that the outlawed Sipah-e-Sahaba outfit had threatened to disrupt the event.
The Faisalabad assistant commissioner concerned allegedly did not give them permission for holding the march. The organisers had to cancel the event and they launched an online campaign against cancellation of the march on social media.
Amnesty International statement
The Amnesty International South Asia called on the Pakistan government to grant permission to the Aurat March organisers to hold a protest in the city.
“Amnesty International notes with serious concern the government’s decision to bar the #AuratMarch protest in Faisalabad yesterday. The right to peaceful assembly is protected by all major human rights conventions and the Constitution of Pakistan,” the Amnesty International South Asia said in a Twitter message.
The international human rights watchdog called upon authorities to immediately grant Aurat March Faisalabad all necessary permissions and provide them security, should they need it.
Reaction on social media
The organisers of the Aurat March Faisalabad said the rally has been postponed due to security concerns and a new update will be posted shortly.
It said the system reacted against a peaceful and democratic March. It added that the administration seemed horrified by the popularity and solidarity by the people of the city and denied providing any sort of space and protection for a peaceful demonstration, and resorted to harassment and threat to the organisers.
Many people were furious on social media after news broke that the Aurat March was cancelled in Faisalabad. Many netizens are calling out the authorities for not granting permission.
Pakistan is under intense scrutiny due to human rights violations and such decision by the state to stifle dissent sent a negative message across the world. It is our constitutional right to march peacefully and the responsibility of the state to protect the life of citizens.
PAKISTAN: Amnesty International notes with serious concern the government’s decision to bar the #AuratMarch protest in Faisalabad yesterday. The right to peaceful assembly is protected by all major human rights conventions and the Constitution of Pakistan. [1/2]
— Amnesty International South Asia (@amnestysasia) August 2, 2021
Here we present ‘Charter of Demands’, A comprehensive charter which includes our motives, objective and purpose of organising this march. #AuratMarch pic.twitter.com/nbCUctFlLQ
— AURAT MARCH FAISALABAD (@FaisalabadMarch) July 31, 2021
aurat march has been postponed due to security concerns. New update will be posted shortly
— AURAT MARCH FAISALABAD (@FaisalabadMarch) August 1, 2021
#auratmarchfaisalabad is trending on 2nd in Pakistan, Keep coming up with the hashtags so No authorit can ever get it cancelled!! pic.twitter.com/BYBQOwrwYr
— Moeez Abid (@BeMoeez) August 2, 2021
Dear Assistant commissioner Faisalabad, your cowardness and misogyny is evident. You invalidated the women of this city and bowed down once again before the “mighty” sectarian groups.
All of this happened under your watch and you ask why they march? pic.twitter.com/ptEmKcDpfq
— Saheeb Ali (@Friesist) August 1, 2021
As strong as one might be, living in a patriarchal society governed by ruthless men around you is no small feat.
Stand up for Noor, for Noors we forgot, for Noors that we failed, and to save Noors that may yet come.@NidaKirmani@DrAliahaider@SeeratShehzad#auratmarchfaisalabad pic.twitter.com/ROphXS1HVo— AURAT MARCH FAISALABAD (@FaisalabadMarch) July 30, 2021
More power to Faisalabad’s youth for taking this historic initiative. The city has an incredible history of progressive politics.
#auratmarchfaisalabad pic.twitter.com/SbESsABSnQ— Mahmood Azhar (@M_azhar1989) August 3, 2021
