Bilawal supports Women March, Fazl rejects move
No maulana, politician and anchorperson can stop women from holding the march, says PPP chairman; Aurat March manifesto formally launched
While Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has stoutly defended the Aurat March (Women March), Jamiat Ulema-eIslam-faz (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly rejected it.
Rehman said he has little knowledge about the objectives of the Aurat March.
“However, the slogan Mera Jism Meri Marzi is indecency,” he said and added a few women want to impose western culture on majority of women. He smelt Zionist conspiracy behind the Aurat March.
Bilawal said the PPP will fully support the Aurat March and said no maulana, politician and anchorperson can stop women from holding the march.
He said Benazir Bhutto had always fought against terrorism with courage. “The people who say that women would not march should hear loud and clear that they will march and no one can stop them. This path was shown by Benazir Bhutto. The PPP is standing shoulder to shoulder with women of this country and we demand the government provide protection to each and every march and the people threatening women be arrested and cases registered against them. Women are not begging rather they are seeking their constitutional rights. This is Pakistan of Fatima Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan of every woman the country. This is not a Pakistan for the conservatives. The PPP is a party of prosperity for the people of Pakistan. Women know the best about the economy of the country because they manage homes. Women will take the PPP’S message of prosperity to every nook and corner of this country.”
Bilawal said the PPP has always raised voice for women empowerment and it will continue supporting women in future as well. “I regard every Pakistani woman, every Pakistani mother as my mother because every son wants to serve his mother,” he said.
He said that Benazir Bhutto’s name comes to mind whenever the rights of women are discussed in Pakistan. “Islam gives rights to women and Pakistan People’s Party is the most prominent party with regards to women’s rights. Our 1973 Constitution gives equal rights to the women of Pakistan. We want equal rights for labourers, growers and women,” he said, adding the PPP has always raised voice for women rights.
Earlier, the Aurat March manifesto has been formally launched, which revolves around “Khud Mukhtari” or the independence of females.
The 15-point manifesto demanded an end to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sponsored economic policies and budget cuts as well as immediate control of inflation of basic foods, whose burden was felt by working-class women as well as by gender and sexual minorities. It demanded a minimum of Rs40,000 fixed wages for workers.
Likewise, they spoke about bodily rights, especially in the context of the ongoing controversy regarding one of the slogans of Aurat March. The committee explained that demanding bodily rights was a basic human right, regardless of age. It extended to children as well, and was especially important to think of with regards to the widespread incidents of child sexual abuse and murder, all over the country.
Some reporters challenged the slogan and said that the march had been banned, to which the core committee explained that the march was not banned as per court clear directives, as this was their right.
There were also some objections relayed to the committee regarding their slogan ‘mera jism meri marzi’ (my body, my right). An argument ensued following which women activists began chanting the slogan loudly, especially as they were being pushed to admit whether this slogan was part of their manifesto or not.
Farida Shaheed said it was obvious that those who proudly claimed they were anti-aurat March did not even understand what the slogan meant.
At one point when journalists’ arguments began growing louder, she asked them, “Who has a right over your bodies?”
There was no reply. “Out of 15 points of the manifesto, they found only one to talk about,” said Shaheed. “They seem to be quite insecure and afraid about this side of the conversation. When you talk about human rights, we are referring to a person, and his or her body,” she said.