ISLAMABAD: The organisers of the Aurat March on Thursday called on the government to declare International Women’s Day — observed on March 8 — as a national public holiday to recognise women’s contributions to society.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club, social activists including Dr Farzana Bari, Huda Burghari, Nishat Maryam, Zainab Jamil, and Jiya Jaggi outlined key demands addressing gender equality, human rights, and social justice.
They urged the state to declare gender-based violence a national emergency and adopt a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of patriarchal violence. The demands included the eradication of child marriages, strict enforcement of anti-violence laws, and full implementation of the Transgender Rights Protection Act.
The activists also called for safeguarding the rights of religious minorities by ensuring equal access to education, employment, and healthcare. They demanded amendments to blasphemy laws to prevent their misuse and an end to the persecution of Christian, Hindu, Shia, and Ahmadi communities.
Condemning repeated restrictions on their peaceful gatherings, the organisers criticised the state’s refusal to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for their marches since 2020. They rejected proposals to relocate the march to the Parade Ground, a site primarily used for military events, and demanded the unconditional issuance of NOCs for future Women’s March activities.
The organisers also denounced the forced deportation of Afghan refugees, warning of potential human rights violations. They urged the government to halt the deportations and adopt policies to protect refugees’ legal status and dignity.
Additionally, they called for action against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings targeting Baloch, Pashtun, and Sindhi activists, journalists, and political dissenters.
The activists further highlighted the environmental crisis, urging the government to abandon harmful projects like “Green Pakistan” and adopt sustainable climate policies.
Concluding the press conference, they reiterated their demands for gender justice, minority rights, and the freedom to assemble peacefully without state interference.
