Introducing myself and my journal: Hidden truth

About Me:
I am a social activist, having fourteen (16) years experience of women empowerment in Pakistan. I have been associated with grass-root level organizations of Pakistan working for women’s rights at all level like women’s legal rights, economic rights, political rights and violence against women.Currently I am working as a Deputy Director- Gender& Development in Sindh Coastal Community Development Project on contract bases. It is a huge project funded by Asian Development Bank. My component is Gender& Development. The objective of this project is to improve the sustainable livelihood of the poor inhabitants of the coastal belt. Our strategy is to help these households sustainability increase their incomes, their access to public services and enhance their capacity to manage the natural resources base on which they live.

I always work for women’s empowerment through advocacy, mobilization, capacity building workshops and focus group discussions at community level. In Pakistan 70% population live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and livestock. Women play a vital role in these sectors as labor but not recognized by men, she could not spend her daily wage on herself because her male counterpart collect her wage from the land owner. For me economic empowerment is the most important part of women’s development. Although the Constitution affirms gender equality in Article 25, and the country’s legal system upholds inheritance rights for women. Lack of political will and discriminatory cultural practices deprive women of land. In areas where the custom of bride price prevails, women themselves are seen as property and commercial commodities. Women’s land rights are closely linked to their social, economic and political status in society.

My Passions:
voilence free society for all

My Challenges:
Religious extremism and male dominancy in my culture

My Vision for the Future:
Gender equality everywhere and positive role of women in all sectors of development

My Areas of Expertise:
Gender issues particularly violence against women