Begum Jan
Begum Jan is a doctor and the founder of the Tribal Women Welfare Association, which educates tribal women in Northwest Pakistan about their rights, and gives them medical training. [1] [2] [3] [4] She grew up in South Waziristan, a conservative area of Pakistan, but her father encouraged her to become a doctor. [4] She attended a school for boys as a child because there was no school for girls, and when her tribal elders forbid her to attend high school she studied with a tutor instead. [3]
In 2007, at a nationwide women’s protest against clerics advocating suicide bombings and other violence, Jan led the Tribal Women Welfare Association's protest. [5] As of 2008 she is the Tribal Women Welfare Association's chairwoman. [1]
She received a 2008 International Women of Courage Award, making her the first Pakistani woman to receive that award. [2] [3]
References
- ^ a b Women From 8 Countries Honored - Tucson News Now
- ^ a b Fata woman receives courage award - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
- ^ a b c International Women of Courage Award Ceremony: 2008
- ^ a b The Deseret News - Google News Archive Search
- ^ Pakistani Woman Finds Education Can Be Politically Dangerous | IIP Digital