Hadiqa Bashir – Women Deliver
2020

Hadiqa Bashir

  • Age: 21
  •    |   She/her/hers

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One human being with conviction can bring about real change.

- Hadiqa Bashir

Bio

Hadiqa Bashir was born and raised in Pakistan. She is currently attending Government Girls High and Secondary School Saidu Sharif. As Chairperson at Girls United for Human Rights Foundation, Hadiqa is responsible for all the activities, arrangements, and decisions made for the betterment of the organization. She looks after the administrative role and financial role of the organization, heads all the meetings, and makes executive decisions for the organization. As a volunteer at A Society for Women’s Rights, she works with them in arrangements of activities for women’s empowerment. Additionally, Hadiqa is a Hwendo Jirga volunteer, Jirga member, and on the volunteer board of Directors at EveAlliance.

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What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?

When I turned 11, I received a marriage proposal, but with the help of an uncle, I managed to avoid this fate. Countless others, however, continue to be forced into early marriage. I decided to work against early and forced marriage and raise my voice to save the lives of other girls in my community and country from the atrocities the patriarchy imposes.

Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.

I was about to be married at age of 11, but I refused and started a campaign against early and forced marriages. I formed a group named Girls United for Human Rights, which is a platform for marginalized girls that provides them with leadership skills where they can have their say and raise voice against injustice and inequality. Furthermore, it was as a result of our dedicated commitment that we now have the Child Marriage Restraint Act in PATA.

Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?

Photography, collecting poetry, and reading books.

Languages Spoken:

  • Pashto (Advanced/Native)
  • English
  • Urdu

Publications:

Speaks On:

  • ending early and forced marriages
  • girls' access to education/SRHR as part of school syllabus
  • youth participation and leadership
  • peace and religious harmony

Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:

  • Winner of With and For Girls Award (2018-19)
  • Commonwealth Youth Award Finalist (2017)
  • Children’s Peace Prize Nominee (2016 & 2017)
  • Winner of Asian Girls Rights Award (2016)
  • Winner of Muhammad Ali International Humanitarian Award (2015)
  • Honorary Award by Honorable Chairman Senate Islamic Republic of Pakistan
  • Asian Girls Ambassador
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