ABOUT US
Aurat March Lahore is a feminist collective. Volunteering is exclusively open to all gender minorities, including khawajasira, transgender men and women, and non-binary individuals as well as cishet women. We aim to center diverse lived experiences in order to collectively organize against patriarchal and oppressive structures. All members of Aurat March Lahore volunteer their time and resources, i.e. they are neither employed by Aurat March Lahore in any capacity nor are they compensated in any way.
We rely on donations from individuals who believe in our vision and values.We do not accept funds from NGOs, for-profit companies, or political parties. This ensures our independence as a political movement. We stand in solidarity with Aurat and Aurat Azadi Marches across the country and endorse their feminist
demands.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers join through open calls shared online and through word-of-mouth.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Criteria: Members with 2+ years in the Working Group and dedication to the collective can transition to the Organizing Committee.
- Provide
mentorship to volunteers.
- Manage donations, conflict resolution and accountability.
- Attend meetings, protests and events regularly.
- Use Aurat March’s space to collectively take initiative.
- Contributing meaningfully to at least one committee (e.g. outreach, social media, art, security, research).
- Provide their time and labour to Aurat March Lahore’s activities and taking initiatives that align with our feminist values.
FAQS
Why is volunteering not open to cis men?
Cis men, men whose gender identity conforms to their biological gender,
often carry with them a lot of structural and interpersonal power. Political
organising spaces are often dominated by and shaped by men. We wish this
were not the case, but as long as patriarchal structures dominate, cis will wield more power. In order to correct this imbalance of power, we ensure that cis men are not part of decision-making circles for Aurat March. However, cis men can contribute in other ways, like volunteering for security for our
protests, as well as showing up at the march and donating. We need good
allies.
Why don’t we collaborate with NGOs?
NGOs do incredible work, often lifesaving; however, as a political collective,
we hope to occupy a different role within the feminist movement. While we
respect the work of many NGOs, they accept donations from for-profit
corporations and governments that we don’t often agree with. Maintaining a
distance ensures our independance and ability to take radical action.
What does "Mera Jism Meri Marzi" mean?
Mera Jism Meri Marzi simply means having the autonomy to decide how your
body is treated. This includes the right to decide whom to marry, when and
where to have a medical procedure, and the right not to be touched without
your consent. It is a basic right that should be extended to all, regardless of
gender.
Does Aurat March Lahore do only one event per year?
No, while the march is the most visible event, we work tirelessly all year round
to organise protests and study circles, conduct mutual aid campaigns, build solidarity with other groups, and issue statements on critical issues in the country and beyond. The best way to follow our work is by volunteering and keeping up with our social media.
Why doesn’t Aurat March work with corporations?
As feminists, we are deeply critical of the capitalist system in which most
people are exploited, as well as neoliberal feminism that embraces these
systems. Feminism to us includes resisting exploitative capitalist systems –
and corporations play a big part in perpetuating it. While feminism and being
“pro-women” have become convenient CSR tactics for companies, we have
seen that they fail to provide a fair living wage to their workers, ensure
effective implementation of sexual harassment policies within the workplace
or safeguard the environment. We do not work with companies because we
stand in solidarity with the most exploited workers of capitalism, and we
cannot, in good conscience, work with companies to “pinkwash” their
exploitative practices.
- Provide
mentorship
to volunteers.
- Manage
donations,
conflict
resolution and
accountability.
- Attend
meetings,
protests and
events regularly.
- Use Aurat
March’s space
to collectively
take initiative.
- Contributing
meaningfully to at
least one committee
(e.g. outreach, social
media, art,
security,
research).
- Provide their time
and labour to Aurat
March Lahore’s
activities and taking
initiatives that align
with our feminist
values.
