Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) in Multan stopped Aurat March organisers from distributing pamphlets in the university and mobilising students, while the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) was allowed to distribute pamphlets for their ‘Haya March’ across the university, claimed the organising committee of Aurat March Multan.
The Aurat March is held annually to observe International Women’s Day across several cities in Pakistan, including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta, and Multan among others.
The basic demands behind the march are equal opportunities for everyone, including transgenders and women; raising awareness regarding gender-based violence, and calling on authorities to make laws in this regard. The demands also include risks related to climate change and the exploitation of the poor that comes with it among many other issues.
However, the organisers of the March face resistance from the government and regressive elements in society every year.
Aurat March Multan statement on the Recent Harassment faced by Women Organizers of Aurat March Multan in Bahauddin Zikriya University Multan. pic.twitter.com/55auY9T1UK
— Aurat March Multan- عورت مارچ ملتان (@AuratMarchMultn) March 3, 2023
In a tweet, Aurat March Multan said they were deeply concerned and alarmed by the harassment their members faced at BZU for distributing pamphlets to women on campus and mobilising them. They also said that it was troubling that “regressive forces” like IJT were allowed to preach and paste their “anti-women” pamphlet while they faced harassment.
“This is a clear double standard and is indicative of the larger systemic issues that women and marginalised communities in Pakistan face,” the statement added.
They also called on the university administration to cease their attacks and respect the rights of women to organise and advocate for their rights.
