Polygamy and How women are being 'pulled out' in Pakistani society

Aurat March, an annual march to raise voices, to help silent echoes reach ears, a march that fights for women’s rights, and a march that supports victims. Held every year on 8th March, International Women’s Day, Aurat March highlights issues of discrimination and violence against women in Pakistan. One of the most famous and controversial aspects of this march is its slogans. These slogans often challenge the high-standard values set by Pakistani society for women and question the expectations placed on them to become the “ideal” domestic woman.

Polygamy, in different cultures and religious interpretations, is considered a traditional practice. Polygamy is when a man has more than one wife at a time. If a woman has more than one husband at a time, it is called polyandry. However, in Pakistan, polygamy is legal, and it is sometimes used as a tool to suppress women. According to the law, a husband must seek permission from his first wife before marrying again, and if he does not take permission, he can face punishment, including imprisonment and fines.

Despite this law, many women are threatened by their husbands, who use divorce as pressure, causing fear and forcing women to give permission unwillingly. Divorce is still seen as a social stigma for women in Pakistan, which makes many women feel trapped in unhealthy marriages.

In 2024, a woman who sought divorce was attacked by her husband, who injured her leg with an axe. In 2016, another woman who sought divorce had acid thrown on her face by her husband. Violence against women remains a serious issue, and many cases reported to the police are still left unresolved or delayed in justice.

Sharia law, which is understood as Islamic law in Pakistan, is often cited in relation to family matters, including polygamy. Many men argue that religion allows them to have multiple spouses and that they do not need permission. In some cases, when women resist or demand their rights, they face accusations such as adultery or moral misconduct, which creates social pressure and stigma. Because of this pressure, some women feel forced to remain in harmful marriages.

Aurat March has raised its concerns through slogans, campaigns, and public gatherings, but it is often considered taboo in Pakistan. This is because many of its slogans are seen by conservative groups as going against religious values, cultural traditions, and family norms. Critics often argue that the movement promotes “western ideas,” while supporters say it highlights real issues faced by women that are often ignored.

Aurat March, an annual women’s rights gathering in Pakistan, has increasingly become a symbol of both resistance and controversy. Aurat March was first organized to highlight issues such as gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, economic inequality, and the lack of legal protection for women. Over the years, however, it has also become a target of strong criticism and backlash from conservative and patriarchal segments of society.

One of the main reasons Aurat March faces attacks is because it directly challenges traditional gender roles. In many parts of Pakistani society, patriarchy is deeply rooted in cultural expectations about how women should behave, dress, speak, and live. When Aurat March participants raise slogans demanding freedom, bodily autonomy, equal rights, and protection from violence, these messages are often seen by conservative groups as a threat to established social norms. As a result, the movement is frequently accused of being “against culture” or “against religion,” even though its supporters argue that it focuses on basic human rights and dignity.

Social media has also played a major role in the backlash. Every year, when the march takes place on International Women’s Day, viral videos and slogans are widely shared online. Some slogans are taken out of context and used to criticize the entire movement. This has led to online harassment, misinformation, and targeted campaigns against organizers and participants. Many women who publicly support Aurat March report receiving abuse, threats, and character attacks, which reflects how strongly some segments of society react to feminist expression.

Another major reason for the criticism is the misunderstanding of feminism itself. In patriarchal environments, feminism is often wrongly associated with rejecting religion or family values, rather than being understood as a movement for equality. Because of this, Aurat March is sometimes portrayed as “western influence” or “foreign agenda,” which increases hostility toward it. However, supporters argue that the movement is rooted in local realities, including cases of domestic violence, honour-based abuse, forced marriages, and legal discrimination that women continue to face in Pakistan.

The backlash is not only verbal. In some cases, activists and participants have faced legal complaints, protests against the march, and even threats of violence. This reflects the broader tension between progressive movements and conservative structures within society. Despite this, Aurat March continues to grow in visibility, with women from different backgrounds joining to share personal experiences and demand systemic change.

At its core, the conflict around Aurat March reflects a deeper social struggle: between maintaining traditional patriarchal control and expanding space for women’s rights and freedoms. While opposition remains strong, the movement has succeeded in starting national conversations about topics that were once considered taboo, including domestic abuse, consent, workplace harassment, and legal inequality.

In conclusion, Aurat March continues to face significant attacks from patriarchal segments of society, but it also continues to stand as a powerful voice for women who seek equality, safety, and recognition in Pakistan.

I myself am a member of the feminism and Aurat March movement, and I have faced both personal and indirect criticism for supporting feminism and speaking about women’s rights in conservative environments.