Fighting for women’s rights: 21-year-old winner aspires to become a lawyer in G-B

Saeeda Mir, who came first at the International Book Writing Competition-USA in June, dreams of becoming a lawyer to fight for women’s rights in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).

She completed against 1,900 people of all ages, as there was no age restriction, and stood first.

“My accomplishment has made me and my family proud and I hope the President of Pakistan acknowledges my achievement and gives me the pride of performance award to encourage me,” the 21-year-old Mir from Sultanabad, an underdeveloped area of Gilgit, told The Express Tribune.

For her achievement, she was awarded Rs500,000 by the Prime Minister, but the G-B government is yet to take notice of her achievements. She believes the government should encourage youngsters to work hard and take initiative.

“G-B students are very talented, they only need exposure and the resources to explore their hidden skills,” she said.

She added there are very few educational facilities in G-B, and there is no separate women’s university.

She believes her plans of following a career in law are in line with the deplorable conditions she considers women to be in.

She says they are facing numerous challenges, “These women are yet to get justice as far as their rights are concerned and for that they need women judges, lawyers and women right leaders to boost their morale.”

She has received a six year scholarship at People’s Law College in Hawaii, Los Angeles.

She plans to pursue a degree in International Law and aspires to become a Judge in Gilgit after completing her studies. She is currently pursuing her BA in Margalla College and completed F.Sc from Army Public School in Gilgit.

Mir describes herself as an ardent reader and said she writes on different topics to sharpen her writing skills.

She is the eldest of the three daughters and two sons of Mir Baz Khan, a businessman. Baz, who shifted to Islamabad for his children’s education, said that he always encourages his daughter to take part in extra-curricular activities alongside her studies.

He wants his daughter to become a lawyer and serve the women in G-B.

Originally published in the Express Tribune August 08, 2011