Daily Times

Pakistan is a country where women get better and professional education. They know what life is and how to live it. They respect their religious and cultural norms. They are passionate, enthusiastic, determined, and talented. They can earn money not only for themselves they can also support their families in many ways.

Lives of Pakistani women have changed during the last thirty years; they are more empowered and aware today. They are taking part in the progress of the country, playing sports and giving their best in many international competitions and making Pakistan proud. Yes, today women are breaking many societal stereotypes. They are excellentathletes, talk show anchors, analysts, economists, writers, freelancers, scholars, doctors, nutritionists, professors, engineers, IT specialists, chefs, fashion designers, and government ministers.

It is a bitter reality that women everywhere in the world suffer some kind of domestic and sexual violence, harassment, threats, oppression and abusive behaviour from society, their family and husband. All of that is condemnable. But many brave females in Pakistan and all over the world fight and struggle for their dreams day and night; they know how to grow and they have faith in their abilities.

Instead of portraying Pakistani women as a victim and discussing problems or promoting a typical slogan that “women do not have any rights in Pakistan,” I am going to introduce female personalities of Pakistan who brokemany stereotypes of society andbecame a role model not only for us but they also inspire the whole world.

If we take a glimpse in the past, we will see thatFatima Jinnah is a big name. She was a Pakistani dental surgeon, biographer, and a respectablepolitical leader in the All India Muslim League.She bravely stood with her brother, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in his mission for creation of Pakistan.After the, partition she joined Muslim League and devoted herself to awakening awareness of women’s rights in Pakistan.

Begum Ra’na Liaquat Ali Khan was the first lady of Pakistan; She was the wife of the first prime minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan. She was a talented economist and an executive member of Jinnah’s working committee in which she served as a financial adviser. The “Daughter of Pakistan” Benazir Bhutto was the first democratically elected prime minister of a Muslim country. She had a strong image and a motivational personality for all those women who wish to build a career in politics.

Parveen Shakir, professor and civil servant of the government of Pakistan, was a great Urdu poetess.

Bano Qudsia was a famous Urdu and Punjabi playwright and novelist. She wasknown for her unique style. She received Sitara-e-Imtiaz,Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Kamal-e-Fun, and Lifetime Achievement Award.

We can’t forget Bilqis Bano Edhi’s, wife of the great man Abdul Sattar Edhi.She works for the rights of orphaned children and senior citizens who do not have a home, in addition to great deal of other social work.

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is a well-known name who fought like a tigress against several controversies. She is a filmmaker and activist. She is first Pakistan’s Oscar winner.

Public speaker, human rights activist and an artist, Muniba Mazari is a very popular name. She started her miracle journey in a wheelchair.

Many brave females in Pakistan and all over the world fight and struggle for their dreams, day and night; they know how to grow, and they have faith in their abilities

Maria Umar is the founder of Women’s Digital League. WDL is an online portal that provides digital services and enables women to work online on different tasks like writing, word press or graphic designing for various clients.

Roshaneh Zafar is an active social entrepreneur. She started the Kashaf Foundation in 1996 in Pakistan. She also started Kashaf Microfinance Bank Limited.

Tabassum Adnan, a child bride at the age of 13 and a mother of four, a survivor of domestic violence, has an inspirational journey. She became the only woman to lead a jirga run by women,making her a role model for women all over the world. Shahida Malik, now a retired three-star major-general, was the first woman in Pakistan to attain that position. Flying Officer Mariam Mukhtar was a brave lady who gave up her own life to save others life. After knowing that their plane had malfunctioned, she and her co-pilot decided to take the risk and kept flying the plane away from populous areas. The plane crashed near Mianwali, taking the lives of both the pilots. She embraced shahadat (martydorm) at the age of twenty-two.

The first female fighter pilot of Pakistan Air Force is Hina Tahir. Ayesha Farooq became Pakistan’s first female war-ready pilot. Her status as a fighter pilot opened new paths for Pakistani women in uniform.

Raffia Baig added her name in the list of women Pakistan is proud of; she is the first female member of the prestigious bomb disposal squad. The surprising fact about the brave young woman girlis that she is the first Asian female in this field. Spunky Minhal Sohail is Pakistan’s first female shooter. She made Pakistan proud by qualifying for the Rio games.

The adventure loving woman Nimrah Salim went into space. She was the first female Pakistani to do so. She was also the first skydiverto jump Mount Everest during the historic first Everest Skydives in 2008.

Samina Baig, another strong woman of Pakistan, climbed Mount Everest at the age of twenty-one.

Twinkle Sohail, a Christian female, made her country proud by bringing gold medal in weightlifting in the Asian Bench Press Championship in Oman. Rukhsana Parveen and Sofia Javed are the first two Pakistani women who got a medal in boxing at the 2016 South Asian games.

Arfa Karim was the first youngest Microsoft Certified Professional. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2012. Malala Yousufzai, the young activist for girl’s education in one of the most conservative provinces of Pakistan,became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

Islam is a practical religion that has given many rights to women. Pakistan’s constitution also ensures women rights and gives complete freedom to all Muslim and non-Muslim women. These women use their rights and skills perfectly and accept the societal pressures. You can add your name in this list by doing something extraordinary. Whether you are a student, housewife or doing a job, you just need to find the spark that is already in you, but unfortunately, you lost it. All our female heroines faced many challenges, but they courageouslyfought to achieve their goalsto do something special in their life. So why do you think it is too late? Passion has no limit, and it is never too late.

The writer is a writer, educationist and social worker