On 06.03.2023, Aurat March Islamabad held a pre-march press conference
at National Press Club Islamabad to announce its theme and demands for 8
March 2023. The organizers presented a list of 60 demands, including an end
to patriarchal violence, the increased representation of women at all levels of
decision-making concerning climate change, a reduction in the defense
budget and increased allocations for health, education, etc, raising the minimum
wage allocations, and moving away from the IMF’s anti-poor policies and
debt traps.
The organizers explained that the decision to focus on the “feminization of
climate justice” was taken in the aftermath of the devastating floods that
ravaged the country in 2022, resulting in over 1100 deaths and
destruction/damage to one million homes. While overall relief and
rehabilitation efforts were required (and are still needed today), the specific
impact on women and young girls has been largely neglected in mainstream
discourse.
In light of this neglect, key demands have been advanced for 2023 by Aurat
March Islamabad, including bringing an end to period poverty, ensuring
economic justice, ensuring budgetary allocations for universal childcare in all
formal workspaces in Pakistan, formalization of informal sector/market
(where the majority of women are employed), among other significant
demands.
The march organizers stated that despite an application for a grant of NOC
being submitted to the District Administration well in advance, the same was
turned down without any cogent reason just mere days before the march.
The District Administration and Islamabad Police were reminded of their
obligation to safeguard the lives of peaceful marchers who have been
observing the same route since at least 2018.
The organizers announced that the march would begin from outside the
Press Club at 2 PM and conclude at D-Chowk, as per routine.
