As the world geared up to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, Karachi witnessed yet another electrifying spectacle — women participating in the Aurat March in all their unapologetic, unabashed brazenness at Frere Hall on Friday. But what was surprising, yet refreshing, was the presence of men among the attendees.
And so the question resurfaced with renewed vigour — where do men stand in the fight for women’s rights? Are they doing enough? Are they well-meaning supporters or just mere spectators on the sidelines? Do they have the empathy required to be effective allies — knowing when to speak up and when to step back?
“When I look around, I see every face in this crowd bearing the imprint of determination,” Muhammad Hamza, 24, a student at Indus Valley, told Images. “Women are here to march as a testament to the ongoing struggle for fair wages, for equal rights. It’s 2024 and they still have to discuss the grasp of patriarchy in their daily lives through such protests. This is a reminder that systemic barriers still exist,” he lamented.
