Tahira Abdullah (Urdu: طاہرہ عبداللہ, Born: c, 1953 - ) is a Pakistani human rights activist, women's rights activist,[1] social scientist and supporter of gender equality. She is based in Islamabad.[2][3][4]

Tahira Abdullah
طاہرہ عبداللہ
Tahira Abdullah protesting in front of National Press Club, Islamabad
Born
Tahira Abdullah

c. 1953
NationalityPakistani
Occupation(s)Economic development practitioner, researcher
Known forWomen’s rights defender, humanitarian volunteer, peace activist

In 2009, Abdullah was arrested in Islamabad during her participation in the movement for the restoration of an independent Judiciary.[5]

Abdullah works on a voluntary basis for numerous trusts, civil society organisations, non-profits, policy groups, and academic bodies. She is a strong supporter of extremism-free education[6][7][8][9] and easy access for women from rural areas.[10] As a strong supporter of women's rights[11][12] she always raise her voice against all kinds of gender violence.[13][14][15][16] Topics on which she has spoken included “opening up spaces for human rights defenders”,[17] in response to the murder of Rashid Rehman (lawyer for Junaid Hafeez) in 2014.

In 2014، she opposed the actions of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) in closing down a private TV station for a fortnight for allegedly broadcasting blasphemous content; Abdullah's view was that “this is not the answer”.[18] In response to the Kasur child sexual abuse scandal she commented that “One child missing is one child too many”.[19]

Works edit

  • Co-author Suggestions on Women's Empowerment for Election Manifestos of Political Parties (Aurat Foundation, 2012) [20]
  • The situation of disabled children in Pakistan (UNICEF, 1981)

References edit

  1. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (13 September 2020). "Protesters demand justice for victims of sexual violence". DAWN.COM.
  2. ^ "Aurat Foundation launches study on honour killings". The Express Tribune. 4 January 2012.
  3. ^ "LUMS Live Session 43: Sexual Violence and Safety: Current Realities, Next Steps". LUMS.
  4. ^ "Pakistan NGO Alternative Reporton CEDAW–2005-2009" (PDF).
  5. ^ Aisha Sarwari. "How to be a woman in Pakistan". Aisha Sarwari. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  6. ^ "K-P's curriculum: Khan's real fight". The Express Tribune. 3 February 2016.
  7. ^ "Religious inclusion and equitable education policy stressed for national cohesion". Dispatch News Desk. 3 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Textbooks must be neutral, bias-free, student-friendly, says study". www.thenews.com.pk.
  9. ^ Mustafa, Zubeida (1 April 2016). "Textbooks of hate". DAWN.COM.
  10. ^ Reporter, A. (28 February 2015). "'School syllabus needs to be purged of extremist content'". DAWN.COM.
  11. ^ "Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, Owais Tohid debate gender issues | SAMAA". Samaa TV.
  12. ^ "Feminist Tahira Abdullah owns Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar on women's rights". www.thenews.com.pk.
  13. ^ "Lawmakers, activist demand Lahore CCPO's removal over victim-blaming remarks | SAMAA". Samaa TV.
  14. ^ "Pakistani Women". Alternative Radio.
  15. ^ "Protesters in Pakistan Demand Change After Two Violent Rapes". Democracy Now!.
  16. ^ GANNON, KATHY (13 October 2020). "Pakistan police arrest key suspect in shocking highway rape". SFGATE.
  17. ^ "Eight Demands on March 8: HRCP moot urges opening up spaces for women human rights defenders". Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  18. ^ "HR activist condemns Pemra's ban on Geo". Pakistan Press Foundation. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  19. ^ Asma Ghani (17 August 2016). "Child abuse cases: Implementation of laws to protect children demanded". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  20. ^ Aziz, Naheed. "Suggestions on Women's Empowerment for Election Manifestos of Political Parties" (PDF). Aurat Foundation. Aurat Foundation. Retrieved 20 October 2020.