Thousands March for Women's Rights in Pakistan After Motorway Rape
Thousands of Pakistani women took to the streets on September 12, rallying under the banner 'Mera Jism Meri Marzi' ('my body, my choice'), following a brutal rape incident on the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway. The demonstration, dubbed Aurat March, highlighted the urgent need for women's rights and safety.
The march's organizers published a charter of demands, opposing the death penalty as a political tool to silence dissent, particularly targeting women and marginalized communities. They also called for judicial and police reforms to ensure accountability and safety for victims of violence.
The rally was sparked by a horrific incident on September 9, where a woman was robbed and raped at gunpoint by three men after her car ran out of petrol on the motorway at night. She was traveling with her three children. Punjab's police acknowledged that the newly-opened motorway lacks police patrol, raising concerns about safety.
The capital city police officer (CCPO) of Lahore, Umar Sheikh, initially blamed the victim for traveling at night, sparking outrage on social media. Pakistani women rebuked his remarks, with Barrister Khadija Siddiqui, who was herself a victim of assault in 2016, condemning his statement. Federal minister for human rights, Shireen Mazari, also condemned the CCPO's declaration.
Statistics paint a grim picture of violence against women in Punjab. In 2019, 3,881 cases of rape and 1,359 cases of child sexual abuse were registered, highlighting the urgent need for action.
The Aurat March demands justice and accountability for sexual violence, marking a significant moment in Pakistan's women's rights movement. The rally's organizers, along with women's rights activists, oppose the death penalty as a political weapon, emphasizing the need for reform and safety for all women. The incident on the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway has underscored the urgent need for improved security measures and better policing.
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