Why is it that even today, women are not safe in our society? Why is it that even today, she feels afraid while walking through the streets? Why are street crimes increasing day by day in our communities? Being a woman, whenever I walk on the road, I feel a hundred eyes staring at me, and I have to constantly protect myself from those gazes. Why is it that even today, our society belongs only to men? Why is it that despite the existence of laws, women are still not safe here?
Why is it that even today, women are burned alive in the name of dowry? Why is it that even today, acid is thrown at women? And how many such cases exist that don’t even get reported? And all of this—just in the name of “honor”? Is honor something that belongs only to men in this society? Are women nothing? Do women have no worth of their own?
Mera Jism Meri Marzi: Misunderstood and Misportrayed
Every year, Aurat March in Pakistan sparks debate, criticism, and sometimes even outrage. Among the slogans raised, one that has received the most backlash is “Mera Jism Meri Marzi.” Unfortunately, this slogan has been deliberately twisted, misunderstood, and misportrayed to push false narratives about feminism and women’s rights in our society
The True Essence of the Slogan
“Mera Jism Meri Marzi” is not about immorality, westernization, or rejecting cultural values, as often claimed. At its core, it means a woman has the right to make decisions about her own body, health, and life without external control It is about
A woman’s consent in marriage.
Her right to say “no” to harassment or abuse.
Protection against domestic violence.
The freedom to seek healthcare without shame
The autonomy to choose what to wear without fear of judgment
It is essentially about bodily autonomy and dignity, something every human being man or woman deserves
How It Was Portrayed Wrongly
Unfortunately, critics have painted the slogan as a call for “obscenity” or “rebellion against religion and culture.” Certain groups and media outlets twisted the meaning to suggest that women were demanding “indecency” or a “license to sin” This deliberate misrepresentation shifted the focus from real issues like workplace harassment, honor killings, child marriages, and domestic abuse issues Aurat March actually aims to highlight.
Why the Backlash Exists
The backlash comes from deeply rooted patriarchy and fear of losing control over women’s lives For centuries, decisions about women’s bodies from what they wear to whom they marry have been made by others. When women raise their voices demanding autonomy, it shakes the foundations of these outdated power structures. Instead of engaging in dialogue, opponents find it easier to demonize the slogan
The Need for Awareness
What critics fail to recognize is that “Mera Jism Meri Marzi” is not about exclusion it is about equality it is about giving women the same right over their lives that men already enjoy. Awareness campaigns, open dialogue, and education are needed to counter misinformation
No means no
I do not deny that Islam has given complete rights to women. Islam has given women every right. But if a woman refuses something or disagrees, why is she abused? If Islam has granted women full rights, then shouldn’t her consent also be respected? That is her basic right too
Yet even then, when a woman says no, why is she insulted? Why is she humiliated? Whereas according to Article 25 of Pakistan’s Constitution, every citizen is guaranteed equal rights. Equal rights means equal for both men and women. Then why is a woman still looked down upon, treated as inferior
Even today, this mindset pricks me from within, it suffocates me why can’t our society give women the respect they truly deserve.
Life experiences
I used to think that maybe I was the only one who suffered from street crimes For this reason I spoke with some of my female friends and colleagues and what they told me left me shocked
One of them said that whenever she travels by metro, men deliberately walk past the women’s side and make them feel helpless and powerless Another friend told me that whenever she goes from home to the office daily, she hears countless comments on the way Wow beautiful Today belongs to us Hayee uff all kinds of words are thrown at her And the most painful part was she said these comments often come from men who appear to be religious preachers She asked me Don’t they have mothers and sisters at home? Why do we have to face this every single day?
She told me that sometimes she answers back with harsh words, but how many can she respond to? How much can she tolerate? She feels helpless
Even in my own life I have faced countless incidents men following me to my home, auto drivers touching my hands while taking money, honking horns just to get attention, scratching themselves vulgarly while staring, or even urinating on the roadside just to harass women
Is this what we call our society? Forget society for a moment is this what our religion teach us?? From what I have seen, every religion gives women respect. Then how can a woman the very being from whose womb a man is born be treated like a prostitute in a brothel or be abused? Why is she stripped of her right to live with dignity?