“You are not bringing any change, but boosting egos,” Mathira terms Aurat March ‘pathetic’

Known for her candid remarks and unapologetic nature, Mathira recently appeared on the ‘FHM podcast’, sharing insights about her early life in Pakistan after moving from Zimbabwe and addressing prevailing social issues.

During the podcast, the popular model and host came down on the Aurat March, expressing disagreement with its slogans. 

According to Mathira, the Aurat March has become more of a trend for selfies and peculiar banners than a meaningful movement.

She stated, "Aurat march is pathetic. It's not an Aurat March, it's again a trend to go there to get selfies, ajeeb ajeeb banners bana kar niklo [take to the streets with absurd banners]."

The podcast host chimed in, “but the march is about speaking up for women.”

Mathira responded by questioning the effectiveness of the slogans and emphasised the need for more constructive actions. 

Mathira argued for tangible efforts, saying, "If you want to do something for women, go and make a school where girls can get educated properly. You come out for one day, shout and block the road and disappear for the rest of the year." 

Expressing her skepticism about the Aurat March's impact, Mathira asserted that the march has not reached the people it aims to represent. 

“What change has it brought? The people you are marching for, you couldn’t even access them, you are not bringing any change, you are boosting your egos , garnering likes on instagram, making yourself famous and then  you are just going away,”  she maintained. 

Highlighting her own contributions, Mathira shared her work with DKT, a non-profit organisation providing  family planning and reproductive health products and services. 

“I work with DKT and we visit many clinics. We go to Peshawar and other villages. I am a brand ambassador of DKT and we build clinics called ‘Dhanak’. We reach out to women and talk to them about breast cancer,” she continued.

Mathira urged women activists to focus on productive initiatives that can genuinely impact marginalised women, emphasising the need for actions that go beyond a one-day march.