Thousands of Pakistani women have gathered in major cities across the country as part of the sixth Aurat March (Women's March) to mark International Women's Day. Organized by local women's collectives, the first rally was held in Karachi on 8 March 2018 as part of Pakistan's Me Too movement. Since then, pro-women rallies have faced a backlash from conservative forces. In 2021, blasphemy allegations were made against protesters after doctored video clips of a rally surfaced on social media. Aurat March rallies have been controversial in the past, with participants waving banners and placards addressing issues such as divorce, sexual harassment and menstruation. Despite the challenges, organizers say the march aims to raise awareness of pressing issues facing Pakistani women, including violence and sexual exploitation. This year's march took place simultaneously in the capital Islamabad, Lahore and Multan in the northern province of Punjab, and Hyderabad in the southern province of Sindh. Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan - 8 March 2023 Photo by Konstantin Novakovic/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM