A social contract
WATCHING the news recently, I heard the IG of Punjab Police berating women for having the audacity to be out protesting in public. He used the damning word ‘modern’ to…
Nothing coded in Modi’s agenda
THE Uber ride was smooth despite the rain-clogged roads, and I was thanking the driver with a heartfelt smile when the frail and vulnerable-looking fellow burst into tears, crying unconsolably.…
Conflict and women
WHILE conflicts and violence directly and indirectly impact everyone, girls and women are invariably the most vulnerable and worst affected. According to a study, nearly 90 million girls live in…
Failing our minorities
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Zarviya left her home in Rawalpindi with a couple known to her family, who said they would take her to buy a Mother’s Day gift for her mother. She…
The gendered costs of climate change
The 2022 floods were a case study on: a) how changing weather patterns will dramatically escalate disasters in magnitude and frequency and exacerbate the human and economic cost; b) the…
Empowering girls
In Pakistan, gender-based violence (GBV) is deeply rooted in traditional norms and cultural practices. While it affects women and girls from all backgrounds – regardless of their social or economic…
Towards a new eco-social contract
At the recent UNFPA Asia-Pacific Leadership Conference, I had the honour of moderating a panel discussion on demographic diversity. The panel discussion delved into the complexities of developing new business…
Invest in women for progress
The theme of International Women's Day 2024 is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ which is being celebrated to emphasize and highlight the importance of empowering women for development and prosperity.…
Morocco law reform offers hope for women’s rights
Two decades after a landmark but limited revision of Morocco’s family law marked a breakthrough for women, activists hope new reforms will defy Islamist objections and provide greater equality. The…
Unjustified stigma
PAKISTAN is grappling with the stigma surrounding mental health. A social fabric steeped in tradition often finds itself at odds with the critical need for progressive mental healthcare solutions. This…
