Sometimes, one finds oneself drawn to delve into the annals of history. Perhaps it’s out of sheer ennui with the current state of affairs or due to the perplexing nature of the present. The reasons may be varied and numerous. Lately, I’ve found myself engrossed in the history of Black Friday—not the commercial extravaganza the Western world knows, but an earlier episode dating back to 1910, a time when sales were not yet the rage.

It was an era when women in Great Britain were still denied the right to vote. Many believed that this was the natural order of things—that as their sons and husbands exercised their voting rights, women would find their own voice. But there were those who aspired for more. They demanded the right to vote and were offered a watered-down version of suffrage by the government, which later backtracked on its promise.

On that fateful Friday, they took matters into their own hands and made their way to the doors of the Parliament in London, determined to make their presence felt. Their numbers swelled to around 300, and they were met with an even greater force—a legion of policemen unaccustomed to dealing with women protesters.

The clash between the two sides raged on for hours. The women endured beatings, assaults, and rough treatment, while the policemen and onlookers exhibited equal measures of brutality. Shockingly, it was alleged that some plainclothes policemen had infiltrated the crowds, adding to the mistreatment inflicted upon the protesters. Black eyes and bleeding noses became all too common sights. When the day drew to a close, more than 100 women and four men had been arrested—a clear indication of who was deemed the problem.

Curiously, all those apprehended were subsequently released without further investigation or consequences. The decision to let them go had been made by none other than the then Home Secretary, Winston Churchill. Rumor had it that this choice was driven by the fear that any continued scrutiny would expose the extent of police brutality.

Debates have since ensued regarding whether the government had issued orders for the police to engage in such reprehensible conduct. Nevertheless, the testimonies of the women who lived through that day still stand as a testament to the events that transpired.

It is disheartening to acknowledge that even today, sexual violence is employed as a deterrent to dissuade women from actively participating in public life and politics. This sobering reality highlights the ongoing struggles women face in their pursuit of equality and justice.

It is imperative that we reflect on the lessons of history and work towards a society where every individual, regardless of gender, can freely exercise their rights without fear of reprisal or violence. Only by confronting the remnants of the past and fostering an environment that values and respects the voices of all can we hope to build a future that embraces true equality.

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Numerous instances involved constables and undercover operatives shamelessly encircling me from behind, shamelessly groping my breasts in the most public manner imaginable. The crowd followed suit, emulating their actions… My skirt was callously lifted as high as possible, and a constable, attempting to lift me off the ground, resorted to raising his knee. Failing in his endeavor, he callously hurled me into the throng, goading the men to subject me to their whims.”

Another testimony revealed: “A policeman brazenly draped his arm around me, insinuating, ‘You’ve been yearning for this for a long time, haven’t you?'” A disabled woman had her wheelchair deliberately damaged, rendering her immobile. She was forcibly directed toward a side street and assaulted.

Despite a newspaper featuring a front-page photograph depicting a female protester lying on the ground with policemen looming over her, the press, in general, lacked sympathy for these women.

While the suffragettes faced criticism for their actions, the police force was shielded with unwarranted understanding. Tragically, two women even lost their lives, raising concerns that their deaths were connected to the injuries they sustained that fateful day.

The violence left an indelible mark on the suffragettes. They retreated and withdrew from active involvement in the movement. Others grew cautious of large-scale demonstrations and instead opted for swift actions like breaking windows, which allowed for a hasty escape before the arrival of law enforcement.

Yet, it appears that the use of violence, particularly sexual violence, as a means to dissuade women from assuming a more prominent role in public life and politics remains an enduring tactic. A few months ago, Zubeida Mustafa, a respected senior op-ed writer for this publication, shed light on how the police mistreated residents of a colony who resisted the demolition of their homes to make way for road widening.

“The final straw came when they began hauling up the demonstrators, and in their haste to wrap up the show, they physically lifted three young girls—ripping off the hijab of one—and forcibly deposited them in the police van. Allegedly taken to the Nazimabad police station instead of the appropriate Liaquatabad women’s police station, they endured brutalization throughout the day.

“It was heart-wrenching to hear how these women were ruthlessly beaten on their thighs, their faces scratched and bitten, with reports suggesting that booted law enforcers even attempted to assault their most private parts. To add insult to injury, they were subjected to cleaning toilets and offered urine instead of drinking water. They were only released shortly before midnight, when community leaders came to their rescue.” These words were excerpted from an article she penned last December.

But I digress. I had set out to write about a long-past event. However, such is the dearth of intellectual rigor among journalists that we often flit from one event to another. Yet, Black Friday lingered in my thoughts, for it serves as a stark reminder of the arduous journey women have undertaken, enduring violence in their quest for equal rights.

Equal rights to vote, and perhaps even to protest, at the cost of enduring harsher treatment than their male counterparts. Because even the right to raise their voices in protest unsettled those in power.

In conclusion, reflecting on the events of Black Friday serves as a stark reminder of the struggles faced by women throughout history in their fight for equal rights. The violence and brutality inflicted upon the suffragettes during their peaceful protests highlight the lengths to which those in power would go to suppress their voices. The testimonies of the women who experienced sexual assault and physical abuse paint a grim picture of the systematic oppression they endured.

Sadly, such tactics of using violence, particularly sexual violence, as a means to deter women from participating in public life and politics still persist today. Recent incidents, like the mistreatment of residents resisting the demolition of their homes, demonstrate that women continue to face discrimination and abuse when they assert their rights.

It is crucial to recognize and address the ongoing challenges women face in their pursuit of equality. The fight for equal voting rights and the right to protest should not result in further marginalization and violence. The authorities and society as a whole must stand against such practices and actively work towards creating an inclusive and safe environment for women to participate in public life.

Black Friday serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made and the distance still to be covered. It is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who came before us and to renew our commitment to achieving true gender equality. Only through continued awareness, advocacy, and collective action can we pave the way for a more just and equitable society for all.

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