A glimpse of women’s protest during Zia-Ul-Haq era
The women’s day is yet to arrive on 8th March and we can’t forget the recognition women gained during the rule of Zia-Ul-Haq, in 1983.
Around 100 women, who were the part of Women’s Action Forum (WAF) staged a protest on 12th February 1983 ,against Zia-ul-Haq’s repressive and discriminatory Law of Evidence about the reduction of women’s testimony to the half of men’s.
The initiative held the women in trouble. This was the first time that Police arrested up to 50 female protesters, using tear gas and batons. Women were put behind the bars for several hours.
According to a woman, Gohar, who was the part of WAF, said that “As the first ever public protest against marital law, there was silence everywhere. We were lathi-charged, held up and arrested, but for us it was a start to democracy in the country.”
The women’s protest marks an important event in Pakistan’s recent history.
The best way to celebrate National Women’s Day is not only to remember the march led by those women three decades ago and the men in Lahore but also through celebrating the current effort of acquiring women’s rights and staying firm in the continuing struggle.
