8th March is the time of the year when women in Pakistan come together to celebrate “Aurat March”, but its also when men try their hardest to drown out their voices with their criticism of the slogan “Mera jism meri marzi” (my body my choice). Countless misinterpretations done by the media and religious authorities have declared the slogan as “vulgar“, “anti-Islamic“, and also “anti-family“. When in reality, what “mera jism meri marzi” has actually done is to encourage women and children to gain control over their bodies.
Ali Gul Pir, a Pakistani comedian and rapper had tackled the misconception around the slogan in his music video “Tera Jism Meri Marzi”, which is a satirical look at the critics of Aurat march and exposes the domestic violence women and girls suffer within their homes. The track also features Eva B, a young, niqabi rapper from Lyari who delivered some harsh truths about the unsafe environments built for women in their homes.
The music video was uploaded on YouTube and Twitter today on International Women’s Day and had quickly received positive reviews from the internet. Much of the responses appreciated the artist for tackling the misogyny of the critics of Aurat march, and also praised Eva B for boldly expressing her right to choose to wear a niqab or not. Some of the best responses are posted below:
Whether it’s a happy #InternationalWomensDay or not, this hard-hitting rap from #Eva B & @Aligulpir is bound to make you think (again).
Keep the flag flying high, keep fighting – cause it ain’t over yet! 🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰 ♀️#AuratMarch2021 https://t.co/2Cesf4PT3S
— Fifi Haroon (@fifiharoon) March 8, 2021
A brilliant message #AuratMarch job well done @Aligulpirhttps://t.co/KkVgpv0Oqs
— Ahmer Khan (@akahmer) March 8, 2021
#MeraJismMeriMarzi
There are so many languages but Ali Gul Pir only chooses to speak facts. His new track #TeraJismMeriMarzi aims a blatant references to women in our society.https://t.co/TcR0utSjsH— SB (@salimabhutto) March 8, 2021
TW: violence
Ali Gul Pir has a brilliant message for all those who believe women don’t have a right or say over their bodies and lives. https://t.co/2Uowe0Wuzf
— Danish-Zaidi (@syedmdz) March 7, 2021
You can watch the video by clicking on the link below:
by Mahnoor Jalal
