Mera Jism Meri Marzi: The Controversy, Misinterpretation, and Reality of Women’s Autonomy

Abstract

The Aurat March has become an important part of the feminist movement in Pakistan because it gives women a chance to discuss problems like discrimination, sexism, and social justice. The study looks at the ideas and themes behind the march's signs using qualitative content analysis. It looks at a set of 100 pictures and chooses 75 that are representative of the whole set and are relevant to the study. The results show that the slogans question patriarchal norms, support the freedom of the body, and call for structural changes in the social, economic, and legal areas. There was not a single phrase or subject found to advocate for promiscuity or to be in opposition to the concept of modesty as it is understood in Islam. This was true without exception. The movement's main phrases, like "Mera Jism Meri Marzi," speak out against domestic violence and male dominance. They also stress the importance of economic justice, and women's and minority rights, especially for Afghan refugee women and Hindus, showing an intersectional approach. The study puts the Aurat March in some different feminist theoretical frameworks, such as liberal, conservative, radical, and intersectional feminism, to show how diverse its ideas were. It also uses populism theory to look at how the movement got people to work together, pointing out how phrases and building a shared identity bring people together from different backgrounds. The Aurat March is seen as a movement that wants to change Pakistan's gender politics for the better, even though it faces opposition from conservative groups and inaccurate coverage in the media. The study stresses that the Aurat March is not only a protest but also a big step forward in feminist thinking that aims to change social norms and fight for women's rights.