Tahira Raza: Closing the Books on Patriarchy

“I think it does happen, yes. But again, I will say that as women have suffered so much and will likely do so for a while yet, it is important to create and maintain a reputation in your industry. Build your history. When you join a company, you must make sure that you are up to the mark in your knowledge and you listen for a chance to raise your voice – and if you feel you must, you say what you said again!”

Maria Umar Talks Financial Empowerment of The Vanishing Woman

” – it’s not only that there are a few opportunities available overall and that women across the board are discriminated against – but that there were even fewer opportunities for those women who choose to get married and raise families.”

Opinion: Aurat March Placards Explained

How come smoking harms the lungs of men but also the character of women? How come a man having affairs is a stud but women doing the same is a slut? How come a man who is bold and confident is attractive but a bold woman is kharab? Jo ghalat hai, woh sab k lye ghalat hai. Jo sahi hai, woh sab k lye sahi hai.

Op Ed: Systematic Rape & East Pakistan

A portion of our history, like that of many other nations, is hidden away from the ‘mainstream’, if you will, of society. Most nations, like ours, do so out of a misguided notion of patriotism, or if you are more cynical, out of a ethno-nationalistic hatred. One of the issues that has remained in the…

Hussain Haroon on Women’s Rights in Pakistan

“50 % of the population normally is women, right? So you’re reducing 50 % of progress straight away if you do not allow an open policy where everyone is allowed to function. I’d go a step further: I personally believe that you have got to break the mould initially, after which women will look after their own.” Abdullah Hussain Haroon to Zeina Toric-Azad

The Sisters behind Soul Bitches

Pakistan has seen a surge in women’s rights’ rhetoric, justice and empowerment. Part of that movement has been key social media groups, of which a foremost one is the popular (but secret!) facebook group ‘Soul Bitches’. Started by Rabeeya Seemul Latif, her sisters joined her to create a safe space for women online. Pax Femina…

On Arif Alvi & Women’s Rights

Acclaimed writer, Zeina Toric-Azad sits down with Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi to discuss his plans for women’s rights in the coming year in the country.   A bullet still remains lodged in Pakistan’s Commander in Chief, President Arif Alvi. A momento of a violent protest in 1969 criticizing Ayub Khan’s (then-regarded) liberal regime. A prominent…