The march for equal rights in Pakistan

Large rallies took place across Pakistan on International Women's Day. These are some moments from the march in Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi.

People from all walks of life take part in the Women's March, or Aurat March, in Karachi, Pakistan on March 8, 2019.
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People from all walks of life take part in the Women's March, or Aurat March, in Karachi, Pakistan on March 8, 2019.

The Women's March, or Aurat March in Karachi, Pakistan brought together people from all walks and genders in the second edition of the rally, to demand social and economic justice – and an end to gender violence and discrimination.

Attendees in the country's biggest city came armed with banners and posters with funny and creative slogans, gave speeches, sang, performed, and carried out one main final act: ‘the janaaza (funeral) of patriarchy.’

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Crowds gather to chant slogans at the Women's March in Karachi on March 8, 2019.

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An organizer distributes flags with slogans.

The march was made up of women rights’ advocates, women from various minority groups, students, and volunteers from prominent NGOs celebrating and empowering women across social classes demanding one thing: equal rights.

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Students, children and women of all ages hold posters and flags

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A cut out mask of slain social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch who was killed by her brother in a so-called 'honour killing'.

The Aurat March, initiated in 2018, is organised by a woman’s collective called Hum Aurtein, (We the Women), to commemorate International Women’s day held across the globe.

This year, the march also spread to other cities in the country including Hyderabad, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Peshawar.

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People display posters during the event

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Sheema Kirmani, classical dancer and social activist performs with her theater group at the event.

In Karachi, people gathered at the historical Frere Hall.

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Organizers, and women at the forefront of the Aurat March gather on stage to give speeches while the crowd cheers on

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A man works his way through the crowd gathered in the Frere Hall Gardens

Before the event, Twitter swelled with tweets tagged #WhyIMarch.
After gathering at the hall, the attendees marched through one of the city's most prominent roads, Abdullah Haroon Road.

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Crowds walk towards the Abdullah Haroon Road.

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Young women on bicycles make their way in the rally towards Abdullah Haroon Road

Sheema Kirmani, Pakistani social activist and renowned classical dancer, was one of the main organisers of the Aurat March.

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Sheema Kirmani, classical dancer and social activist performs with her theater group at the event.

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Posters on the ground at the Women's March.

At the event, she explained: "We have organised the march to raise our voice against gender violence, sexual harassment, social norms and gender roles that oppress women from getting access to educational, health, employment opportunities and rights. We are contending to create a just society that does not discriminate against women and exploit them."

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Women lift a metaphorical Patriarchy ka Janaaza: The Funeral of Patriarchy as an act of rebellion while reporters capture the crowd.

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Buses wait at the venue to take groups of people back as the rally ends.

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