Introducing myself and my journal: We make a difference

About Me:
I am an experienced professional in the field of basic education covering all three areas of basic education - early childhood education, adult education with a special focus on women's development and child centered elementary education in the last twenty years. Gender justice and community development have remained the cross cutting theme. My greatest passion has been working with women at the grassroots level. In order to actualize women's development I have developed alternative approaches and methodologies. My work is an unusual blend of theory and practice; have developed comprehensive curricula, learning/teaching methodologies, competency based educational materials The work has entailed extensive teacher and community development workers training and evaluation in Pakistan and abroad. I have also been acclaimed internationally for developing a new fast track method of teaching literacy in the natioanl language of Pakistan-Urdu. Likewise a new method of teaching numeracy has been developed that is rooted in the real life situations.My experience as action researcher and development worker provided the basic ingredients to get involved in policy advocacy and training of teachers and development professionals at all levels. Working on private-public partnerships provided additional insights in my work.Working at international level as a consultant, especially in South & South East Asia, has helped me gain deeper insights in the issues of development at the micro and macro levels.Action research and development of extension materials in the field of organic agriculture and women in agriculture are also my forte. I won FAO award for my services in 1998.I have worked with major international organizations like UNICEF, UNESCO, FAO, CIDA, GTZ, GATE, Oxfam, Save the Children, ActionAid, Plan International and Pesticide Action Network Asia & Pacific.
I have authored in English and Urdu both, ranging from manuals for teachers to text books for learners to studies on a range of educational, gender and environmental issues, published in Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Germany and England.

My most remarkable achievement has been developing leaders from illiterate grassroots women who are working now as community leaders, teachers, health workers and change agents.

My Passions:
create leadership among grassroots women

My Challenges:
talibanization percolating down to the minds of grassroots people

My Vision for the Future:
Societies free of religious, cultural and political discrimination against women, where women have unrestricted space to actualize their potential

My Areas of Expertise:
Alternative education for grassroots women and girls that is liberating and empowering