My Body, My Choice, (my right to an opinion) - Haya Fatima Sehgal

International Women’s day (IWD) since the past few years in this part of the world has suddenly become highly sensitized and with a plethora of debates triggering volatile dispute. The slogan this year which caused a greater dialogue, over many issues, to be demanded amongst women’s rights was “MeraJism, Meri Marzi” (My Body, My Choice). This slogan chanted (on one of the marches via the Aurat March platform) was a topic which was adapted by something that was originally meant for another cause abroad. There is nothing wrong with adopting a western ideology or idea.However, one must perhaps look into our own history to see what we had and what we have lost along the way.

Globally, women’s march is much more than just and only that. The topic, which was one of many, seemed to take precedence over International Women’s day (IWD) herewas only because it was made so. Aurat March (Women’s March) seemed triggering to several however a greater cause was the ideaand was slightly sidelined at points. News stories by papers only sensationalizing two characters who had a fight with abuse hurled onscreen was only side tracking the issues at hand. That was just another drama being enactedone felt by both sides (and the result was an increase in following on social media overnight (for both).

To the women of this world, to the marchers, to the activists and to those who do not have a platform to speak and to the voices that are left unheard, you have the right to be protected from sexual harassment of any kind, you have the right to be protected from predators, you have the right to education, you have the right to economic and political empowerment, you have the right to choose whom to marry, you have the right to a healthy and a secure working environment, a right to feel secure in public spaces, a right to equal pay in all sectors and income levels and the right to human dignity, to be valued and respected equally. And yes, most of all,you do have the right over your own body. These are basic human rights to preserve human dignity and ensure advancementand we were already given several of these rights by our faith – however somewhere along the way we lost those rights. The women who marched that day were marching because they had been violated, brutalized or had seenatrocities upon others orwere marching for those whose rights had been usurped by others.

To the men, International Women’s Day march as a concept in itselfwas not meant to be a competition or to trigger sensitivities. Faith as well as the state had originally provided many rights, but these rights were taken away over time, which is why the women wanted that right and the choices back; much of which was already originally given.

For those women who took out one example of something occurred and cried out that men are trash or used vulgarity and profanity to prove their points, or to motivate the nation to free themselves from their families, that’s where the people of the nation had the problem. There were several who marched for other reasons which were political and with deeper agendas and that must be openly stated with sensibility and balance.

On no account will I support an anti-state narrative which equated a women’s rights movement to a taking apart a government in order to create disunity amongst the nation; pitting women against men, or even families against each other. That was an only a distraction and saddening to see that people fell for the antics that led to an onscreen drama which was enacted to create ratings.

The women who marched that day were marching because they had been violated, brutalized or had seen atrocities upon others or were marching for those whose rights had been usurped by others

On another note, any extremity in anything is unhealthy. A middle ground in all things must be chosen. It is the middle path that will succeed, and it is on common ground, in all things, where we will find progress and never falter for a greater conversation and more understanding to take place.

To the menand women both who opposed any of the Women’s marches (pleasenote, there were several marching from different platforms, not just one); the rights to equalityshould not have had to be asked for in the first place. They should’ve have been given. They were for you, your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, and even your wives, and yes even men and children to live in a secure world without harassment and without disrespect but living holding value, so one could see progression-together- as one nation. They were so the next generation would never have to face the hindrances and the angst which the previousone have had.

In the words of our founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live.” (Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah).

These words were spoken decades ago by the founding father of Pakistan, a man who already had the foresight to know that the world is a better place and the nation a progressive nation with bothgenderssupporting each other.

The theme for International Women’s Day itself across the globe was #eachforequal this year. In Pakistan, there were some wonderful placards present in our country and several that were held up by men present there,that were pretty commendable. A few of my favorites, “Men of quality are not scared of equality”, and “I March, because my daughters won’t have to”.

My two cents? It is a world comprised of both men and women. And we have to live with each other -not survive each other. But live to bear trials and tribulations, joy, jubilation, and winnings through life with each other present. Pakistan was made by both men and women who played specific roles and integrated together to make something that is today our identity and our homeland.

Our founding fathers and even the women who supported them (equally) to build this nation had it down correctly. We must rise as a nation together; towards a greater purpose. The absence of either one is simply not progression.It is when we are together in support in every field of life, therein lies our victory.