Speakers condemn 'hatred-based propaganda against women'.

KARACHI -- International Women's Day witnessed rallies across the globe to pay homage to the historic struggle of women and to raise voice for gender equality, particularly in social and economic sectors, said the patrons of Aurat March on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club (KPC), they expressed disappointment over the recent uproar against the march. Stating that it was saddening that 'reactionary and undemocratic forces were afraid of women becoming aware of their rights' and had already started a hatred-based propaganda against women, they condemned such move.

These groups did not want to see women progressing and getting empowered in society, they said, adding that they had resorted to threatening to stop the women's day programme with the use of force.

The representatives firmly maintained that it was the right of citizens to express their views and talk about their problems in a peaceful manner. To this end, they appreciated the Lahore High Court (LHC) for its recent judgment, as it had accepted this right of citizens and upheld the Constitution.

However, this right was still not accepted by some people in society, they lamented, adding that the members of Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF), among other organisations, were being threatened for their involvement in the Aurat March. However, the federation had informed the relevant authorities that they would not be deterred from organising the programme on women's day, they said.

The speakers highlighted the fact that Pakistani women were celebrating women's day in a society...