Aurat March 2020: Nationwide demonstrations held to celebrate womanhood, demand equality

The Aurat March has concluded in various cities across Pakistan.

Men, women, and children across the nation took to the streets on Sunday to rally for better protection of the rights of women and minorities.

A day prior to the event, in a press conference, the Aurat March 2020 organisers had discussed at length about their charter of demands for the demonstration. 

They spoke for economic participation of women, against transgender rape, called on the government to take action against forced conversions and minorities rights.

Live updates:

06:40pm

Mard March participants reach Metropole. The road has been closed for traffic. 

06:35pm

Aurat March Islamabad participants gather at D-Chowk after being pelted with stones. 

06:30pm

Jamaat-e-Islami walk event held at Peshawar. Participants call on the government to provide equal opportunities for women in every field of life. 

06: 23pm

Aurat March Karachi heads towards Metropole. Participants carry placards and shout slogans.

06:17pm 

Mard March participants try to enter Frere Hall. Our correspondent reports the men were carrying pro-Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar posters. Police have stopped the Mard March participants at the Frere Hall gate

06:05pm

Pakistani actress Mira Sethi speaks to Geo News at the Aurat March, saying that there was nothing 'bad' going on at the march and it was a beautiful sight to see "women asserting their rights and their agency". She called on women to leave their houses and show up at the marches to demonstrate their support for gender equality. 

Meanwhile, someone posted a picture of Dua Mangi and her friend Harris at the Aurat March in Karachi. Mangi had been kidnapped a few months ago from Karachi's DHA area. She returned home after two weeks. Her friend Harris was shot and wounded when he tried to resist the kidnappers. 

05:43pm

A Takrim-e-Niswan Walk was held in Sukkur by the Jamaat-e-Islami. 

05:40pm

The Jamaat-e-Islami women wing's Takrim-e-Niswan Walk in Karachi features women holding up placards that call for honouring women. Jamat-e-Islami Karachi Amir Hafiz Naeem is also present at the occasion. 

05:38pm

Marchers in Sukkur demand an end to Karo Kari and other injustices against women. Aurat March features women from urban and rural areas. 

05:33pm

Participants recite poems, chant slogans to the beat of drums and demand equality

Meanwhile, the Aurat March in Karachi is in full swing. Lots of activities taking place at Frere Hall with men and women from all walks of life attending the event. 

05:31pm

Marchers in Islamabad are peacefully dispersing.

05:24pm

Stones pelted at participants of the Aurat March in Islamabad. A few people who were struck by the stones got injured. According to our correspondent, an estimated 2,000 people had gathered for the march. 

A heavy contingent of police officers are present to ensure any further untoward incident does not take place.

The march in Islamabad was coming to an end when the incident took place.   

05:20

In Lahore, the march concludes peacefully at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal monument.

04:34pm

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq addressed participants of the women's march organised by the party's women wing. The JI chief said that he will never give a party ticket to men in his party who do not ensure their sisters get the right of inheritance. 

"They [women] have the right of Mehar which they do not get. They have the right to education. In Pakistan, it is very difficult for women to seek education. I demand that our sisters are provided separate universities everywhere," he said.  

04:30pm

04:20pm

Sindh information minister Murtaza Wahab arrived at the Aurat March 2020 being held at Frere Hall in Karachi. 

Wahab's daughter and wife accompanied him to the event. 

03:45pm

Participants of Aurat March are gathering at the Frere Hall in Karachi. According to Geo News, strict security measures are in place to avoid any untoward situation.

2:34pm

The sun is out in Islamabad with participants gathering at the National Press Club.

2:30pm

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says Pakistani women are committed to prove their capabilities in every field of life.

Addressing a special ceremony in connection with International Women's Day in Lahore, Awan said without active participation of womenfolk in every field of life, the dream of a true Islamic welfare state cannot be fulfilled.

1:26pm

To mark International Women’s Day a rally has been taken out from Baldian Lawn in Quetta to the Press Club. Members of the civil society are taking part in the rally which is demanding the right to education and health among others for women.

12:42pm

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed a women’s day rally in his hometown of Multan and paid tribute to the mothers, daughters and sisters.

“Women should be hailed for their achievements in different fields,” he said.

12:04pm

Aurat March has kicked off in Lahore from Shimla Pahari where a large number of women are participating.

Pakistani women are committed to prove their capabilities in every field of life, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Sunday.

She was addressing a special ceremony in connection with International Women's Day in Lahore today. She said without the active participation of womenfolk in every field of life, the dream of a true Islamic welfare state cannot be fulfilled.

This year’s march has been marred with controversy with many calling for a ban on the Aurat March for its controversial slogans and placards.

If you are thinking of participating in this year’s Aurat March in one of the cities, here’s when you can reach and where.

Lahore – Lahore Press Club – Noon

Karachi - Frere Hall – 3pm

Islamabad – Islamabad Press Club – 3pm

Multan – Multan Press Club - 11am

Quetta - Quetta Press Club - 11am 

In Lahore, the march will be enveloped in a long chaadar,  revealing the harrowing experiences of women's harassment and assault.

PM Imran pledges to take measures helping women 

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday reaffirmed his pledge to take all measures that would help the women to lead a safe, secure and prosperous life.

In his message on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the prime minister said an inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development could only be ensured by providing equal opportunities and a conducive environment to women.

Read also: Big voices, smaller cities: In a first, women in northern Sindh march for rights

The prime minister added the observance of International Women’s Day was the reiteration of the government’s commitment to undertake every possible effort to ensure equal rights and opportunities to our women

'PTI committed to protecting women's rights'

Separately, President Arif Alvi said the provision of basic rights, including the right of inheritance, to women was part of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf government's vision of transforming Pakistan into a welfare Islamic state.

In an interview with Radio Pakistan on Saturday, the president said the present government is committed to protecting women rights and curb gender-based violence in the country.

Taking part in the interview, First Lady Samina Alvi said the elimination of gender-based violence, promotion of girls' education and gender parity were vital to creating a healthy society.

Read also: 'The Real Aurat March'

Foreign Office pays tribute to Kashmiri women

The Foreign Office in its message paid tribute to the Kashmiri women who have suffered Indian atrocities.

“We pay special tribute to all the Kashmiri women who have suffered Indian atrocities Since 1989: 22,911 women widowed 11,179 women molested and raped 2377 women killed Women leaders Asiya Andrabi, Nahida Nasreen, Fahmida Sofi and many others remain incarcerated,” it tweeted.