By Abdul Ghaffar Bugti
We are the ones who will fight against oppression and violence. We are the ones who will create a new curriculum of love.
We are the ones who will dismantle class divisions. We are the revolution. We are the ones who will build a new society.
We are the ones who will overthrow patriarchal rule. We are the ones who will bring the banner of women’s freedom.
These are the slogans of this year’s Aurat March. As we know, every year on March 8th, International Women’s Day, women across the globe unite to celebrate their achievements, demand equality, and amplify their voices against systemic oppression.
In Pakistan, the Aurat March has become a powerful symbol of resistance, particularly for women in marginalized regions like Balochistan and Sindh.
As an organizer of the Aurat March for the past three years, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges, criticisms, and triumphs of this movement. My journey began with a simple desire to understand the backlash against the march and to stand in solidarity with the women of Balochistan, who endure unimaginable suffering.
Balochistan, a region rich in resources but plagued by neglect, is home to women who face systemic oppression on multiple fronts.
The literacy rate among women in Balochistan is among the lowest in Pakistan, hindered by cultural barriers, poverty, and a lack of educational infrastructure. Maternal healthcare is virtually nonexistent; in the constituency of the Chief Minister alone, 37 women have died during childbirth in the last thirteen months.
Economic opportunities are scarce, and women are often denied access to land, loans, and vocational training.
Violence against women is rampant, with honor killings, domestic abuse, and forced marriages being tragically common.
Despite laws meant to protect women, enforcement is weak, and patriarchal traditions continue to restrict women’s mobility, freedom, and participation in decision-making roles.
Early marriages and a lack of awareness about legal rights further exacerbate their plight.
When I attend the Aurat March, I am often met with a disproportionate police presence, a stark reminder of the state’s reluctance to support women’s voices. The state machinery often resists, fearing that the march will challenge its rigid religio-political narrative about women.
This resistance is a reflection of a broader failure: the state has never formulated a comprehensive policy for half its population, leaving women marginalized in education, healthcare, and economic growth.
Despite these obstacles, the impact of the Aurat March is undeniable. Mainstream political parties have begun to address women’s issues, and the media is increasingly highlighting their struggles.
The march has become a platform for women to demand better implementation of laws, access to healthcare, and equal opportunities in education and employment.
It connects Pakistani women with global feminist movements, showing that their struggles are part of a larger fight for equality.
After reading about feminism around the world, I established a media cell with the primary goal of collecting and sharing incidents and accidents involving women in our society with the media.
I shared this on my social media with the description: “You can all be a part of this cell and share the injustices faced by women in your surroundings with us.
Let us come together to ensure the safety and protection of the lives of our mothers, sisters, and daughters. Stories of women from oppressed communities will be shared in this cell”
Literally hundreds of young people joined to share the heartbreaking stories of women in their areas. I used to share these stories on social media and write articles about them in newspapers. Now, I feel a shift in societal attitudes toward women.
The cell was named “ہماری مائیں” (Our Mothers), a small initiative that hasn’t required significant funding. We run campaigns and bring hidden stories of women to light, surfacing what was once buried. The government can take similar initiatives with minimal costs.
The provincial government must also take concrete steps to support women’s rights in Balochistan. Awareness campaigns using social media, radio, and community events can educate people about women’s rights.
Vocational training programs can help women become financially independent, while free legal services can support those facing violence or discrimination.
Collaboration with organizations working on women’s rights can amplify these efforts, and educating men and boys about gender equality can help change societal attitudes.
The road ahead is long, but the Aurat March has already sparked a wave of change. Let us continue to fight, not just for ourselves, but for the younger sisters who deserve a future free from oppression.
The author is a Balochistan-based columnist and human rights advocate focusing on gender inequality and education.
