Inspired and fuelled by the momentum of ongoing women (cis and trans), khawaja siras, trans men, and non-binary movements and struggles worldwide, we hope for our March to highlight a diverse range of issues and express solidarity with all the women about the connecting nature of our struggles.
We envision a world in which women from all groups, ethnicities, religious communities, strata and economic backgrounds are free to exercise autonomy over their lives and build just and peaceful communities. This includes working-class women, displaced women, refugee women, differently-abled women and transgender women – as well as persons belonging to other gender identities.
We would also like to underscore that the Aurat March is not funded by any political party, NGO, corporation or any group.
It is a citizen-led effort strengthened and funded through small contributions from individuals who believe in the cause.
Key areas of our concern are outlined in our manifesto published, comprise violence against women and folks of other gender and sexual identities; economic, reproductive, and environmental justice; women’s political participation; and the right to our city.
- Ending violence includes violence against women carried out and promoted by patriarchal forces as well as state-backed violence targeting activists and communities.
- Economic justice by creating an economy that is equitable and transparent, where all workers have access to a living wage, affordable healthcare for themselves and their families, and workplaces that are free from harassment and discrimination.
- Reproductive justice where all women have the right to make informed decisions about pregnancy and childbirth and access to quality and affordable reproductive health services.
- Environmental justice wherein every person and community has the right to clean water and clean air, access to and enjoyment of public lands and spaces, and our climate and natural resources be protected for both ourselves and future generations.
- Women’s political participation is essential to any democratic society and, therefore, the state should carry out affirmative action to ensure high participation of women across local, provincial, and federal government and ensure active and safe participation in municipal, provincial and federal elections and assemblies.
- Right to our city We Believe that our city can only be made sustainable when it serves the needs of all income groups and can provide safety and services to all citizens of this city regardless of their class, ethnicity or gender. We also condemn the current, aggressive anti-encroachment drive and believe that the drive has an anti-poor bias, driven by development and political agendas.
- Medical Negligence is rife and the medical fraternity protects its own without fear of reprisal. Access to basic medical care is the right of every citizen and hospitals and doctors need to be held accountable for their actions otherwise citizens will continue to be at risk.
