THE March
In 2023, Aurat March Lahore raises alarm at the ongoing interconnected systemic crises, and demands an intersectional feminist response that centers the marginalized in all policies and politics.
WE DEMAND:
Sustained and transparent relief be provided to communities vulnerable to climate disasters. Long-term support for climate resilience and preventative measures be provided, rather than large-scale development projects. Policies addressing climate change must account for and actively involve indigenous communities – such as farming and fishing communities – who are disproportionately impacted.
Climate-induced migration and internal displacement be recognised as a public emergency. Displaced communities, such as those impacted by the 2022 flooding, must be provided shelter as a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 9 and 38 of the Constitution of Pakistan. We condemn “developmental” projects such as the RUDA which worsen food and water security and drive people out from their homes.
Immediate measures be taken to improve the dangerous levels of pollution which disproportionately impact the working classes. This requires fundamentally altering our urban landscapes, restructuring public transport and penalizing pollution producing industries.
We Demand Economic Justice
Decent work to ensure that all residents, in formal, informal, paid or unpaid labour, have living wage and adequate social protection. We agitate for the unpaid labour housework, disproportionately of women to be valued equally to “paid” labour, the regularization of temporary work and the expansion of social protection coverage.
The poor and marginalized must not bear the brunt of IMF driven policies that entail privatization, soaring inflation and indirect taxation- all anti-poor measures that only benefit global capitalism.
Budget cuts in public institutions and services to be rolled back, scholarships given by HEC be reinstituted, and quality education, universal healthcare and survivor-centric welfare systems be implemented.
WE DEMAND SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR ALL
Amendments proposed to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 be strongly resisted by all political parties on a non-partisan basis and that the State i) accord transgender persons the right to recognition, equitable access to health, economic and social services, and protection from rampant sexual and gender based violence, and ii) allocate resources to curb institutional misgendering and discrimination.