Lahore authorities ban women's day march over "controversial banners"

Lahore: Authorities have denied permission for a rally on International Women's Day in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore citing "controversial cards and banners". They said security concerns are behind the decision.

Women often use the march to bring attention to topics like divorce, sexual harassment, and menstruation. They have been accused of promoting Western and liberal values while disrespecting religious and cultural sensitivities.

Major cities in Pakistan have held marches since 2018 to bring attention to women's rights. But the event regularly meets resistance in the conservative society. In 2020, Islamist men hurled stones at women participating in the Aurat March. Religious groups have held counter-protests called "Haya" (modesty) as a call to preserve Islamic values. On the other hand, Haya March 2023 was granted permission,

Hiba Akbar, an organiser for Aurat (women's) March Lahore, told AFP that denying permission is a violation of women's rights. "This raises questions about the state's ability to manage the right to freedom of assembly for both groups." This is not the first time organisers of Aurat March had to seek legal help to counter bans. Rights group Amnesty International called the ban "an unlawful and unnecessary restriction of the right to assembly."

In the capital city Islamabad, authorities cited security concerns and asked Aurat March to move to a city park. It is where a woman was gang raped last month. Organisers said the march is a "feminist movement" and "we will not be in parks but rather on the streets".