THE GT STORY PROJECT - LIFE AS A WOMAN
Womanhood in Pakistan is beautifully summarized by Sara Suleri, that bodies of women in Indo-Pak subcontinent were colonized twice, first by the British and then by the men. A traditional Pakistani woman grows up in a sheltered environment, with most life decisions made for her by others. She learns the social code of conduct and morality early in life. Deep down she knows that her birth was greeted with less eagerness than her brothers.
Read MoreI became a published author at the age of 17. I was sexually harassed on the street and overcoming that experience was a milestone for me. And when I overcame that experience, I started writing about it in poems. I'm passionate about writing. I'm devising that passion into bringing change. People text me after my articles. I get a lot of hate and that's how I know that somehow it’s working.
Read MoreThe biggest barrier to gender equality is the lack of education and the influences of culture. Both men and women need to be educated on why gender equality is important and how it can even affect them if they do not focus on this particular point. Both genders need to uplift each other and make each other's lives easier, regardless of what the cultural norms and values convey, and this can only be achieved by giving the right type of education.
Read MoreActually, I want everyone to know that I am a girl but I can face every problem - and I can overcome it!… For me, success is when you have inner peace. If you are disturbed you have not succeeded, but if you are happy from the inside then you are a successful person.
Read MoreI grew up thinking that I am not beautiful. And as a girl in her early teens, it hit me a lot. I am brown and people of my region think only a fair color is beautiful. My mother is extremely fair and people would look at her and look at me and then they'd make a face that depicts how sorry they feel for me. It took me a lot of time to realize that I am beautiful in my own skin color and I don't have to change it.
Read MoreWhat's your definition of success? For me, success isn’t all about money and riches. It’s about feeling a sense of achievement, relief and accomplishment. It’s about doing something that you always wanted to do in your life. Most people end up living a stressed life because they don’t follow their passion and interest. If you are able to successfully turn your passion into your job/business, then you have achieved your goals.
Read MoreWhat would you like the world to know about YOU? What life experience, challenge or achievement do you want to share? What obstacles have you faced and overcome? Education and skills can help you to live like a pro if you use both. The belief in one digit "zero" - this is your challenge and that "zero" will let you know your value. Financial issues and social norms were the biggest obstacles for me but I overcame with my consistency and handwork.
Read MoreWhat does life as a woman or girl look like in your country / city / town / village? Any issues / challenges / exciting milestones? Life as a woman in Karachi, Pakistan, is sadly, a daily struggle. My country is rated as one of the worst in the world for women and while I love my country because it is my home, I hate how I feel here…And this is coming from a privileged upper middle-class woman.
Read MoreLife is a challenge in my country. For women it is a battle. You have to protect yourself from everything. You are considered to be free to choose whatever you like but it's not like that at all. You are not free. You are caged in this narrow minded society.
Read MoreOnce we acknowledge it and realize that we don't need other people's approval to bring about a change and we start empowering those around us, it WILL create a ripple. It will bring about change and from that point on.. there's no going back.
Read MoreLet's just say that we may have had the first female Prime Minister in a Muslim country and a lot more besides, but we literally don't exist as official citizens without including our father's or husband's names on our ID cards and passports right below our own names. You're either "wife of" or "daughter of" or you simply don't exist. Having said that, women are making advances in literally every professional field here so it's not as hopeless as the international news media often depicts in its search for ratings driven content. Pakistani women are generally strong, resilient, and pretty damn smart.
Read MoreI got married just after my graduation. I wanted to follow my dreams. I wanted to be someone unique, popular in any way. I wanted to be a strong, independent woman. I have been criticized a lot for being active on social media and reading books all the time. I still have to face [criticism]. But eventually, criticism made me strong. I knew nothing about websites & all but I learned through social media step by step. Designed a website. Started blogging. For me, to be read by hundreds of people is the first step of my achievement. A lot more to come
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