I recently updated my status on a business and employment-focused social media platform, to indicate that I am ‘open to work,’ and I was humbled by the overwhelming response. I received over a thousand likes, a multitude of reactions, and some incredibly supportive comments. I want to share the inner workings of this ‘job-seeking journey,’ […]
In Praise of Modi Ji and Others
Ending poverty in all forms everywhere remains the number one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Despite occasional claims of progress, it remains a bitter reality for the poor and a cause for celebration for those responsible for it, as achieving this goal seems elusive. In my native language, Urdu, we say, “Voh waada kiya jo wafa […]
Elite Capture and the Elite Club
The terms elite capture and elite club are uttered frequently by leading experts (usually men) in their talks, conference papers, written analyses, sundowners, and many other forms of informally formal chats. I clearly recall that around two decades ago when I used to write or mention myself as a nonelite activist or nonelite Gender expert […]
From Social Entrepreneurship to Startup
More than a quarter of a century ago, I discovered the title of civic entrepreneur for myself and a few like me who were visibly transcending the boundaries of our academic degrees. We were delving into the larger determinants or root causes of the issues causing disadvantages, disturbances, and damages in society. At that time, […]
Constitution, Contraception, and Child Labour
What could be the correlation between our Constitution, contraception, and child labour? Are they truly interconnected? The answers could vary from straightforward to complex, depending on the perspectives through which these grand concepts are viewed, and the stances taken in response. Presently, my beloved homeland seems to be grappling with its most challenging chapter ever. […]
The Competent Brides
Discounting the rights of the weak is well-calculated in my homeland. Women are still cultural minors and are denied inheritance under the pretext of wedding expenses and subsequent customs. A majority of those who do receive some or all of their inheritance hand over “Mukhtaar Naamas” (powers of autonomy) to their brothers, or later in […]
Flashback: A Brilliant Begum of post-1947 Urdu Literature
My employer organization decided that a well-known nonprofit, founded by a renowned Begum in the NGO industry, would serve as the training venue on contraceptive technology for women medical doctors. It was the year 1995, the year of my transition from clinical medicine to public health. I was hired for my first public health job […]
“(I swear) by the Time”
Love in any form should be unconditional and should not have any expectations in return, no matter how legitimate it is. Patriotism, which has been dissected in various ways by a number of politicians, thought leaders, artists, poets, philosophers, fiction writers, and warrior intellectuals, is one of the best examples of this kind of love. […]
Memory Lane: From Male Involvement to Manels and Beyond
In the post-ecstatic phase of the milestone conference ICPD (International Conference on Population and Development), Cairo, 1994, I pursued my postgraduate degree in public health. While examining gender inequalities and inequities in reproductive health, including family planning, I realized that despite providing the social development world with a new lexicon, definitions, and newer categories of […]
Confronting Dowry Systems and Child Marriage
Today, climate change and its impact are the latest top-selling products in the social development industry. There is respect and admiration, even for those who work to spread awareness and mitigation tools, whether as a business or a donor-supported startup. Yet, it remains a concern for a few not-so-smart or pragmatic practitioners like myself, as […]