Noor Zahra

As a 21 year old woman belonging to a middle class family in Pakistan, chained in patriarchy and generational trauma, feminism has become a sheer horror for me. Men in my family consider feminism a cuss word. Sadly enough, the current agenda of painting Pakistan by Western ideology of feminism has convinced me into supporting men who disassociate from modern day feminism. Today, this movement is at its worst stage in its motive despite reaching the climax of worldwide fame. If not reshaped immediately, it will meet horrific ends in our country.

The question here is, “Why is feminism a sheer horror for a middle class woman, and not a gateway to freedom?”

It is highly certain that feminism is no more an educational movement, it is a taunting movement, a blame game and a portrayal of the elite’s ignorance towards victims of gender discrimination. Furthermore, the main spotlight from women rights is snatched every year and unapologetically shifted to women’s desires. The main motive of educating people about women’s rights is lost due to a crowd of slogans that only taunt, disrespect and hate towards men. It only fuels men’s anger instead of educating them.

Besides, in a country where 96.47% people belong to a religion that protects women from evil eyes and prohibits sex work, liberals of Aurat March come up with slogans that support straight up nudity and sexualization of muslim women. People protesting in Aurat March may be a few hundred liberals, however, their audience is remarkably strong on social media platforms. A slogan of one feminist causes a stir in all men, ending up as a problem for all women. This horrendous cycle repeats itself every year, however, with a much violent pace each time. 

It only gets worse and worse for middle class women to convince men in their family to join Aurat March. After all, how would a religious father allow his daughter to join a movement that normalizes nudity, objectification and sexualization of women? How would a heart of a respectful father permit a daughter to join a movement that shows women empowerment by showcasing half-naked women dancing on local streets openly? How would an overprotective brother let his sister’s shaking figure be a fruit for harasser’s eyes? 

Upon asking, my classmate told me that his friends go to Aurat March to enjoy “FREE MUJRAS.” Feminists of Aurat March may call it victim blaming or tell men to behave themselves. However, Aurat March itself is responsible for affirming lust in men by sexualizing women. How do you expect working class men to support Aurat March when they hold such negative and lustful views about it?

Our hearts mourn for how the elites have ruined such a sacred movement! Woe to us for using feminism for our personal desires, for ignoring victims, and taunting opposite genders. 

Let personal desires and LGBTQ be the center of Western ideology of feminism. The slogans raised by elite women who have seen half the world are not a portrayal of feminism. Romantic subjectivism was never an aspect of feminist protests. Only the unheard stories, the silent screams and the scars of my Pakistani sisters are to be portrayed in Aurat March. Give it back to us and let us reshape it according to our needs, not desires. Let our hopes be sheltered in its shade, not shattered. Give it back to us, give it back to victims of gender inequality, domestic violence and to neglected daughters.