Aurat March in the Digital Age: Exploring the Intersection of Social Media, Public Opinion, and Scope of Aurat March in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan had its first Aurat March celebrated for the first time on the International Women’s Day on the 8th of March in the year 2018. It demanded justice for cases of violence against women and a solidarity for women that are victims of violence and harassment by security forces in public areas, at home, and in workplaces. Also, economic justice and women’s rights to employment with wages for their work in the economy, maternity leave and day care facilities for women with young children so that they do not have to choose between family and work. The March was met with intense backlash due to its explicit slogans and placards. Ever since, the March has been seen as a point of contention between the public, conservatives, and feminists. In recent years, the discourse on feminism and women's rights movements has gained momentum, challenging deeply rooted patriarchy, gender bias, and pervasive manifestations of sexism in society. This research seeks to explore the intricate interplay of social media, public opinion, and the evolving dynamics of the Aurat March, a women's rights movement in Pakistan. This research delves into the influence of social media on the Aurat March. The study employs the theoretical frameworks of Agenda-Setting and Intersectionality to explore how social media has shaped the movement's goals, strategies, and public perception. By analyzing the digital discourse using qualitative methods under Critical Discourse Analysis, the research aims to reveal the underlying values and themes guiding the Aurat March through in-depth interviews with the organizers of the March. This research offers insights into the evolving dynamics of women's rights activism and the unique challenges presented by social media in the context of Pakistan. In its first phase, this research aims to provide valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of women's rights activism, social media's role in shaping public opinion, and the challenges faced by movements operating within the cultural and political context of Pakistan. Furthermore, it’ll be talking about the impact of it on Aurat March. The results indicate the gap between the public understanding of Aurat March and the organizers of the March. The Twitter1 Discourse Analysis uncovered three major themes of backlash against the march based on religion, politicization of the march, and support in the name of feminism. The interviews, on the other hand, gave five contrasting themes of massive disconnect between public and Aurat March, use of gender as a political tool, introducing strategic shift multi-dimensional approach, and ensuring intersectionality. The research holds novelty as it tries to bridge the gap between public understanding of a social movement like Aurat March and the ways in which Aurat March operates. This multi-phased study sheds light on how public opinion available on Twitter can bring a shift in a movement’s strategy or approach to gain wider acceptance.