From Liberal to Radical Feminist Resistance in Pakistan: A Comparative Analysis of Women’s Action Forum (1981) and Aurat March (2018)

Abstract

Women’s struggle for emancipation has significantly influenced the political history of Pakistan since its founding. The development of feminist movements in Pakistan, across social, religious, and political spheres, offers a foundation for this study. Qualitative in approach, this research examines feminist resistance from the 1980s to the emergence of Aurat March in 2018. It particularly focuses on the Women’s Action Forum (WAF) and Aurat March (AM) as key movements driving a shift from a liberal to a more radical feminist perspective. Using a narrative review method, the study compares the two feminist movements to provide a qualitative interpretation of existing scholarship on the subject. It highlights issues and sub-issues to compare and contrast their strategies, rhetoric, and challenges. The study also refutes the idea that Aurat March is simply a continuation of the Women’s Action Forum. It demonstrates that, although Aurat March follows the legacy of WAF, it broadens its agenda to encompass a wider range of gender issues and tactics aimed at achieving solutions. It contributes to enhancing the scholarly understanding and feminist discourse in Pakistan by responding to the unique local challenges. Overall, the study reflects a shift in perspective across political, technological, and cultural domains.