Aurat March in Karachi, named “Aurat Ehtejaji Mela aur March 2024”, was staged at the city’s iconic Frere Hall on the occasion of International Women ‘s Day — celebrated on March 8 every year.
Women, transgender, and people belonging to minorities participated in the march. The event this year was different from the past six marches, as it had three simultaneous sessions going on at the same time and had an agenda covering a wide range of topics.
There was also a food stall corner set up for this year’s march, providing participants with access to food and drinks keeping them charged for the march.
A session regarding minority rights, forced conversions and the Jaranwal incident was held on the central stage. while two more sessions, one regarding the economic betterment of women and one on transgender rights were held in separate locations in the Frere Hall gardens.
Prominent activists and human rights advocates like Samiuddin Baloch, Sheema Kirmani, and others attended the event.
This year’s Aurat March’s agenda covered 11 topics such as freedom from harassment, a living wage for all factory, farm and home workers and the implementation of the Home Based Workers Act of 2018.
Moreover, the Aurat March demanded a resolution to the issue of Baloch missing persons, and an end to enforced disappearances of journalists and political workers.
They also demand the upholding of the Transgender Act of 2018, which safeguards transgender people and gives them a right to identify themselves.
Other demands included the establishment of safe houses for women, transmen, and khawajasiras, who are victims of patriarchal violence.
Aurat March also demanded, the right of inheritance for women, along with a relief of debt for bonded labour, and a demand to ensure adequate and affordable power to working-class areas.
The event started with a brief dance class by Sheema Kirmani, that lifted the moods of the participants.
Another of their demand called for attention to minority rights, and an end to abduction, harassment and forced marriages of girls from minorities.
The participants marched from Frere Hall to Teen Talwar Karachi this year.