As International women’s Day is approaching and “Aurat March” too is highly viral on social media platforms. Some people vandalized murals for the cause of Aurat March earlier this February, and shortly after, there was a petition to ban the whole march. The petition claimed that Aurat March encourages vulgarity and therefore violates Islam’s values. Which has been rejected by Sindh as well as Punjab High Courts.
The recent video of Adeel Afzal has become so viral on social media and people are not only lauding the sarcasm out of it but also understanding the concept behind the March well.
The video is a Humera Alam poetry and begins by reiterating the “roles of a woman” in our respectable culture, titled “Why we don’t need the Aurat March.”
Adeel, who is the denier in the video, backs the roles he believes women should be playing by quoting various brands and ads, that project a certain image of what a woman is. Including what she should feel like, how she should carry, wear and do?
The famous slogan “Mera jism, meri marzi” is objectified by those who fail to understand what it really means. No, it’s not about women wanting to walk naked in the streets. “Mera jism, meri marzi” requires a right to be secured regardless of what a woman wears. It demands that cat-call, stalking, sexual abuse and judgment be avoided. This calls for a woman to have the right to say no and to be heard. So how “mera jism, meri marzi” is sexualized for the profit of patriarchy is evidently perplexing.
“Why we don’t need the Aurat March” is not only an informative description of the enormously real image of our society but also a genius clickbait. Adeel Afzal specifically mentions the suffocated toxic social system for women. In this video, he told in a poetic maniac that why women feel that they need to have Aurat March posters. And why refusing the target means simply turning a blind eye to Pakistan’s persistent and continuing violation of the rights of women.
He starts as, “We don’t need a march here”. “This is not Europe where people go around naked, our relationships have a name. Women have a certain stature in our society, why don’t you understand.” “You are a delicate bangle. You are an open treasure” He added.
He also stated poetically, “you should wear lawn and look special, make Kheer for everyone and challenge Wasim Akram. Make baby food and keep the germs away so you can be a ‘super mom.”
Adding, the ladies should be relaxed sitting at home and enjoying the second-rate drama. They will cook with various Masalas, use different products to get rid of their flesh and achieve an’ HD glow’ with some creams. Adeel catches the attention of the viewer by simply saying the extra advertisements on our Telev every 24 hours and 7 days, making us subconscious of what a woman is and does.
Then he came to the point and took serious concern in the flow as, “bear domestic violence and the irking talks of your in-laws. Keep your men protected from the maids and give birth every year to a son – and if by default you give birth to a daughter, then grieve instead.”
Concerning love marriage and right to opt, he stated “if you fall in love with someone, then prepare for being killed in the name of honor. And if you’re a Hindu then run away and become a Muslim.”
“Hold a cup of tea and then catwalk if you want. And if you want to make your country proud then do it with an item number”, he added. Then, Adeel lowers the cynical mic and makes a number of serious points to make your mind questioned.
“And after all this being provided to you, why would you want to go out? Do you want to prompt temptation? What does the world outside even hold for you? Men who will throw acid on your face if you deny their proposal? Teachers who will harass you? Men who will make your videos in secret? Colleagues who will blackmail you? Friends who will leak your numbers?”
“What did you say? You said you will speak up against rape? You will fight for your rights? With a few placards and loud slogans, who are you planning to wake up?” He adds more.
“These people? The ones who refuse to open their eyes even after lifting the dead bodies of innocent children who had been raped? The ones who are deaf to the voices of those in trouble. You want to show them the mirror? They will not reflect and even if they do, then how will they be able to call this society a morally great society? Thus, there is no need for any march here”, he concluded in the end.
Why should a woman tolerate domestic abuse, negative remarks, and listen to men quietly, calling them prostitutes upon raising their voice against patriarchy? Is her only role in society is to give birth to boys and mourn the birth of daughters or is just she a household slave? Nevertheless, to lift her voice on the streets is a sin, they are being prostitutes if they raise their voice for their rights.
“Why we don’t need the Aurat March” ends with motivating statements concerning a dissatisfied culture that takes pride in morals. What can we expect of a society which turns a blind eye to the brutal raping and murder of children? Nothing but the women have to overcome and dispose of to such a culture.
Very well written and great article. Keep it up.
this was very informative as it gives awareness to those who don’t understand the real meaning of the phrase “Mera jism meri merzi”.
Excellent reply by khalil ur Rehman to these feminists who seek freedom inspite they are already free .
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