Rabya Kulsoom Critiques Aurat March For Its Anti-Men Stance

Rabya Kulsoom shared her thoughts on feminism and the Aurat March movement in Pakistan during a recent episode of the Adnan Faisal Podcast. She expressed concern over the way feminism is perceived and conveyed in the country. She said, “I think feminism is being mistreated here.”

Kulsoom lamented the misunderstanding and misrepresentation of feminism in Pakistan, pointing out that it is often women who mistreat the concept rather than men. She emphasized the importance of feminism as a vital topic but expressed dismay that its message fails to reach its intended audience. Kulsoom criticized certain placards seen at Aurat Marches, citing examples such as “Find your own sock,” which she believed could perpetuate harmful stereotypes and lead to increased violence against women.

Ranya Kulsoom’s View on Feminism

“I feel that feminism is a very important topic,” Rabya began. She added, “Feminism is not reaching those whom it is for. If a man in the interior sees a placard that says, ‘Find your own sock’… what impression will it give him? Do you think the right message has been conveyed where it is needed? And if it did reach there, it went in a way very wrong way. He will beat his wife three more times reading that placard.”

Rabya stressed that feminism extends far beyond domestic chores and should encompass broader issues such as women’s rights to education and career advancement. “Come out of picking up socks and warming your own food. Please. Feminism is beyond this. It is vast and bigger than this. You’ve changed the meaning at the start,” remarked Rabya.

She voiced her support for the Aurat March but expressed disapproval of its current direction, which she felt focused excessively on hating men rather than advocating for women’s rights. According to Rabya, the essence of Aurat March should revolve around empowering women rather than vilifying men. She questioned the efficacy of messages urging women to neglect their domestic duties, arguing that such rhetoric deviates from the true essence of feminism and Aurat March.

Rabya Kulsoom expressed her willingness to support Aurat March but voiced her concerns about its current trajectory. “Aurat March should not revolve around animosity towards men,” she emphasized. “It should focus on women’s rights, such as the right to education. We should empower our daughters to pursue education and careers without hindrance. However, I disagree with the notion that our feminism and Aurat March should center solely on disdain for men. Messages like ‘neglect your husband or refrain from household chores’ do not align with the true essence of feminism,” she criticized.

Also Read: Hira Tareen: Aurat March Goes Beyond Just Women’s Rights