It is known to everyone that Pakistan observed diverse activism in the form of “Aurat March”. The march was active during 2018-2020. Many critics raised voice against the march. Some favor it while others oppose it. It is very difficult to provide a balanced view over this march idea.
Khushbakht and Sultana (2020) employed a discourse analysis approach and qualitative method to analyze this Aurat March in a religious and social context. Other studied work includes the articles, reports, newspaper articles, and journals to draw outcomes on this march. Based on these studies, the researcher builds the grassroots differences between western and Muslim cultures on the debate of women’s rights.
The ideas of western scholars have been researched by the researcher to identify the cultural transformation in the feminism concept in the western world.
The qualitative analysis of western feminism is analyzed in the form of being independent instead of relying on males. United States Women are now equally enjoying the rights as men. But the feminism radically changed the western culture and marked noticeable demographic changes. For example, it is evolving trend includes declining marriage rate, increasing divorce rate, single parenting, and no time for family.
Women are now investing more time in their outer look, friend circle, their healthy activities, with coworkers, and for their personal growth. It is leading toward their deep depression, anxiety, loss of peace of mind, and low self-esteem.
Now if we look at the Aurat March in Pakistan, it is inspired by western culture. Women fight for their rights and get succeeded. Pakistani women are free and equal somehow. But their empowerment and development status can never be measured with their bodies. Initially, the march worked with the dream of independence and get free and gain particular rights. Later on, the march took a turn and took more outside the home responsibilities. Now, these women are dedicated to being responsible, powerful, professional, and hardworking with or without family.
It is the right time now for the female activist of Pakistan to project their gender roles, feminism, and relationships with nationalism and religion and stop bringing sexuality politics into the streets. The research analysis of western and eastern culture and cross-comparison of both has brought very interesting results.
The findings have shown that improvement in the status of women is just a fantasy. The elite class has created this fantasy for their specific purposes. By showing the picture of liberating women, they are leading them to the undefined path, where there is a woman without a man. A woman who will be strong but at the same time confused and alone. In-fact maximum public has not appreciated such kind of march in Pakistan but still, it is influencing the younger generation.
The study findings revealed that Pakistan is a country of religious traditions and values. Comparatively, the western world is not bound by cultural and religious values. Hence, the western feminist goals are not exportable and acceptable in Pakistan.
The supporters and organizers of Aurat March must realize that we are not living for worldly desire but our norms must support Islamic values.
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