In pictures: ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’, a look at Pakistan’s Aurat March on Women’s Day

On March 8, men, women, the transgender community, people who identify as non-binary, and others came together for the interesting and refreshingly audacious 'Aurat March' in Pakistan. Chanting slogans of 'Mera Jism, Meri Marzi' (my body, my choice), thousands hit the streets of Islamabad city and elsewhere demanding gender-based equity and equality. These women posed happily for a picture. Their placard reads: 'Still divorced and happy, take it' in a bid to normalise divorce. A welcome message indeed given that women around the world continue to be in unhappy relationships because divorce remains a stigma . (Source: Twitter/@nighatdad)

Participants carried placards with innovative and creative messages highlighting the fact that other genders, especially women, be given their due. This woman, for instance, marches along with a placard that implies women are not be shamed by men who are not exactly self-righteous, either. (Source: Twitter/@AiliaZehra)

Aurat March was first held three years ago in the city of Karachi. From the very beginning, the protest march aimed at addressing and tackling deep-rooted patriarchy in Pakistan's society. While many societies continue to foster the belief that the male child is the superior child, and the girl is a liability to be given away, protestors carried cards to counter this. Here, this woman had a simple message written in Urdu: 'Mubarak ho, beti hai' (Congratulations, it's a girl).

Besides Islamabad, the march -- organised by women's collective 'Hum Auratein' (We the Women)-- was also held in Lahore, Multan, Quetta and Karachi, too. Many men who identify as allies, came out in large numbers to lend their support to the womenfolk. (Source: Twitter/@sadizid)

This gentleman in the picture, for instance, held a placard that read: 'Meri Beti, Us Ki Marzi', meaning 'My Daughter, Her Wish'. It is really that simple a message that many wish people around the world would understand. (Source: Twitter/@sadizid)

Three years of Aurat March, and the protests have only become more unflinching. This elderly man displayed a message for everyone to see: 'Men of quality, do not fear equality'. (Source: Twitter/@BauhatSara)

While this person's face is not visible, the message is clear. 'I will be a proud jorru ka ghulam', roughly meaning, this person will take pride in letting his wife/partner lead the way in the relationship. This year's Women's Day theme was #EachforEqual. It called out to allies to push for a world that is gender-equal. (Source: Twitter/@AkramaMianoor)

Not just the common people, celebrities like Mahira Khan graced the event, too. She posted this picture on Twitter, where she can be seen holding placards with several other participants. "All the posters we made were picked up from the #auratmarch manifesto. #HappyWomensDay" she tweeted. ((Source: Twitter/@@TheMahiraKhan)

Through these protests, men and women insist for a more equal world for women, one that is free of hate crimes, harassment, and everything else that is patriarchal in nature. This participant speaks out against forced marriages, harassment, and wage gap. (Source: Twitter/@@crimkles)

This man proved to be a real ally, challenging every notion that stops men from being accountable for their actions. His placard read: 'Boys will be boys is the most dumb parenting excuse'. (Source: Twitter/@saifsgoinwee)

Some other gems included messages written in Urdu. Like this one that reads: 'Kyunki main apni marzi se nikah karun, iska haq Allah ne diya hai', meaning 'I have the right to make decisions regarding my marriage; a right given to me by Allah'. (Source: Twitter/@k_abjaoO)

And this one that says: 'Kyunki aulaad ki taadaad ka faisla sirf tumhara nahni hai', or 'the decision on the number of children is not yours alone to make'. (Source: Twitter/@k_abjaoO)

Those who take part in the march continue to face intense backlash both online and on the streets. It was reported that this year, conservative Muslims hurled abuses and stones at the participants who had taken to the streets. But despite all this, the movement continued, challenging the very norms that threaten basic human rights.