Attending Aurat March: Understanding the Controversy

The Aurat March, an annual event advocating for women’s rights in Pakistan, has been the subject of significant controversy. In an effort to understand the reasons behind this, a writer attended the Islamabad march on March 8. Upon arrival, they encountered heavy police presence and barricades, as the organizers had not secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the government. Approximately 50 participants gathered, surrounded by police, chanting slogans and displaying placards addressing issues from gender roles to ethnic violence. The march’s themes, advocating for human rights and challenging patriarchal norms, are considered controversial in Pakistan’s conservative society, highlighting the state’s resistance to dissent.