Why We March: Inside Aurat March Karachi 2025

In this unfiltered, hard-hitting episode, we sit down with one of the organizers of Aurat March Karachi to trace the journey of Pakistan’s most significant feminist movement.

Why did it start? What resistance has it faced? And where is it headed next? With Women’s Day 2025 approaching, this conversation unpacks the history, evolution, and impact of Aurat March. From its inception to the backlash it continues to face, this episode takes a deep dive into gender, patriarchy, and resistance in Pakistan.

We begin by asking why Aurat March was created in the first place. What pushed the organizers to take to the streets, and how did they navigate the challenges of building such a bold and visible movement in a society that often resists change?

As we explore the backlash against Aurat March, we tackle the men who protect other men’s bad behavior — a deeply ingrained societal issue that allows injustice to continue unchecked.

We discuss, why does the mere sight of women marching threaten so many? What is it about women demanding their rights that triggers such an aggressive response from those who benefit from the status quo?

We discuss women's unpaid labor — the invisible yet exhausting work that women in our society carry out every day. From household chores to emotional labor, this unpaid, unrecognized effort props up families, economies, and entire social structures. Yet, it remains undervalued, dismissed, or outright ignored.

Women in South Asia grow up in a system where they constantly need permission for everything — to study, to work, to go out, to exist on their own terms. We ask the big question: How can women take back control of their autonomy and freedom? What does it take for a society to see women as independent human beings, not as extensions of men?

We tackle the concept of honor and how it is disproportionately placed on women. Women are expected to uphold the family's dignity, while men move through the world without the same burden. This discussion ties into the real-life consequences women face — honor-based violence, forced marriages, and societal restrictions on their freedom.

Finally, we look ahead to Aurat March 2025 — what is the agenda for this year’s march? What are the demands, and how does the movement plan to push forward in an increasingly difficult landscape?

Tune in to hear the plans, the struggles, and the vision for the future. The fight isn’t over.

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