Aurat March, the annual feminist movement in Pakistan, has revealed its plans for the upcoming event, alongside the venue. Taking to their Instagram account, the organisers expressed their enthusiasm for returning to Frere Hall, where the first two Aurat Marches unfolded in 2018 and 2019, laying the foundation for the venue to become a hub for various progressive movements.

This year, the Aurat March is set to introduce an “Ehtejaji Mela” alongside its traditional annual march. The organisers aim to facilitate in-depth discussions around class, gender, ethnicity, and religion. The Ehtejaji Mela will provide a platform for engaging with political art that prompts reflection on various social issues. Additionally, the event seeks to redefine leisure as a feminist way of life.

“We will sit together for deeper conversations around class, gender, ethnicity and religion; interact with political art that makes us ponder over the various social issues surrounding us; and recenter leisure as a feminist way of life,” stated the Instagram caption. Furthermore, an addition to the Aurat March this year is the inclusion of food stalls set up by working-class women. The organisers have assured that the food will be priced as affordably as possible, ensuring accessibility for people of all financial backgrounds, particularly the nearly 50% of regular attendees consisting of working-class women and khawaja siras.

The organisers also had a message for cis-gendered men who wish to attend the annual march. “If you are a cis man wishing to attend, don’t forget to come along with at least two women, khawaja siras, trans men and/or non-binary people, in order to be allowed entry,” stated the Instagram caption further. It added, “We are still raising funds to organise this feminist vision of love, so if you can donate any amount to us, please do!” At the end of the post, Aurat March thanked the illustrator for the artwork accompanying the details.

As the countdown to the Aurat March begins, anticipation is building for an event that goes beyond a traditional protest, creating a space for dialogue, celebration, and solidarity.

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