What Happened: Aurat March Karachi has called for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to either apologize or resign after her dismissive comments regarding an alleged rape case, arguing that her remarks contribute to harmful patriarchal narratives that obstruct justice for survivors.
What You Need to Know: The feminist movement behind the annual Women’s Day march expressed outrage at Maryam’s “vile and regressive language” during a press conference where she referred to the alleged campus rape of a Lahore student as a “fabricated story.” Aurat March labeled her unfit to represent the public for neglecting the safety and dignity of sexual violence survivors.
Also Read: Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Labels Lahore College Rape Allegations as ‘Fabricated Case’
More: Maryam Nawaz dismissed what she termed “rumors spread on social media,” insisting that the incident in question “never existed.” She referred to the young woman believed to be the victim as “completely paak saaf” (chaste) and claimed false allegations were being made against her. Maryam further emphasized her commitment to representing women, asserting that she would have acted had a rape truly occurred.
Also: Aurat March criticized her comments about the girl’s purity, stating they reinforce the damaging idea that women’s worth is tied to their sexual history. The organization highlighted the alarming statistic of over 21,900 reported rape cases in Pakistan from 2017 to 2021, many of which remain unreported due to fear and stigma. They condemned Maryam’s rhetoric for complicating survivors’ quests for justice and perpetuating a culture of victim-blaming. They called for public officials to refrain from perpetuating outdated narratives that undermine women’s rights.
