Protesters marking International Women’s Day in ultra-conservative Pakistan on Sunday came under attack with stones and sticks, reflecting the movement’s challenge in a society where females are still put to death under ancient “honour” codes. During a march in the capital, Islamist counter-protesters hurled sticks and stones at the women’s rights demonstrators, causing some injuries and forcing a crowd of people to seek cover before the police intervened. Tension had risen in Islamabad when about 1,000 women and men gathered to call for greater reproductive and other rights.
