Organizers of the Women’s March held a significant press conference on Thursday at the National Press Club, calling on the Pakistani government to officially recognize International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, as a national public holiday.
Prominent social activists, including Farzana Bari, Huda Burghari, Nishat Maryam, Zainab Jamil, and Jiya Jaggi, led the event, where they presented a comprehensive list of urgent demands addressing human rights, social justice, and environmental concerns in Pakistan.
One of the primary calls was for immediate action to combat gender-based violence. The activists advocated for a zero-tolerance policy on all forms of patriarchal violence, including the elimination of child marriages. They also emphasized the importance of enforcing laws against violence and ensuring the full implementation of the Transgender Rights Protection Act.
The group further highlighted the need for equal rights for religious minorities, urging measures to enhance their access to education, healthcare, and employment. They also called for reforms to prevent the misuse of blasphemy laws, which they claim have been exploited, and demanded better protection of Christian, Hindu, Shia, and Ahmadi communities from persecution.
A major point of contention during the conference was the ongoing struggle for the right to peaceful assembly. The activists criticized the government for obstructing their gatherings, particularly noting the difficulty in obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for events since 2020.
The press conference also addressed the growing issue of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, particularly affecting Baloch, Pashtun, and Sindhi human rights activists, journalists, and political dissenters. The activists called for immediate action to halt these human rights violations.
On environmental issues, the Women’s March organizers urged the government to halt environmentally damaging projects such as “Green Pakistan” and to prioritize eco-friendly solutions to Pakistan’s environmental crisis.
The demand for a national holiday on International Women’s Day, paired with calls for urgent reforms, reflects a growing push for gender equality and human rights in Pakistan.
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