Womens Day 2023 – Zubaida Habib | A Brave Woman from Karakoram Valley

Gilgit-Baltistan is located in northern Pakistan, considered an isolated and harsh physical, mountainous environment. Weather conditions are severe, with cold winters and hot summers. Travel and communications in these mountain valleys are generally difficult.  Apart from all the above difficulties, Baltistan is a beautiful valley and a famous destination for adventure and cultural travel. This region is known as the mountaineers’ paradise. It is also home to several diversified cultures, ethnic groups, and languages.

Men in Pakistan and Baltistan primarily hold positions of dominance and privilege. It is distressing that the preference for schooling for male children is still pervasive. Due to this, there has been a persistent lack of qualified resources, especially who could take leading roles in the development of civil society. Cultural and religious sensitivities in the region denote that women’s autonomy is severely limited. But the increased emphasis on girls’ education is spreading to areas within the region previously noted for their resistance to it. Gradually, women leave their homes and take their place in the broader community. Nevertheless, women’s lives continue to be circumscribed by the decision of men, and these decisions can be crucial in determining the extent to which each woman can fulfill her potential.

Ms. Zubaida Habib is a proud woman from a beautiful but remote village, “Khaplu” of district Ghanche, Gilgit-Baltistan, who overcame obstacles to pursue her dreams in life. She says;

I was born and raised in a small village called Khaplu Hachi in the remote region of Gilgit Baltistan, where access to higher education for girls was hardly possible. Growing up in a traditional and conservative male-dominated society, I always dreamed of contributing positively to women’s societal empowerment. I thought women’s contribution to society, particularly in villages with limited resources, was key to progress. I believe a strong and independent woman who can bear the burdens of village life is necessary for any family to be healthy and thriving. This is only possible when women are economically and socially empowered.

The education system in Baltistan, particularly in the Ghanche district, was inferior in the 1990s. Very few schools and colleges were there in the region, and it was more difficult for girls to continue their studies as they had to walk miles to these institutions. Furthermore, social barriers to girls’ education also created problems in continuing their education. Despite these obstacles, I was determined to pursue my dreams. With the support of my family, I worked hard and completed my graduation from Karachi University. After completing my studies, I returned to my village to complete my mission.

Due to the limited number of highly qualified people in the area, particularly educated females, I got the opportunity to start my career in a reputed organization “Aga Khan Rural Support Program” in 2000 as a field coordinator.

Quality education was one of my main focus areas, especially girls’ education. During my visits to villages, I realized the need for quality education. For that, I started a campaign. Initially, I mobilized local people about the importance of quality education, then trained many teachers in ECD from Ghanche and Skardu districts. Now most of them started their school, and I am happy to see local children attending these schools.

Doing business by a woman in the villages was near to impossible. I encouraged all rural women to have confidence in themselves. I also convinced men from the villages about the positive role of women in economic sustainability.   In 2018, with the help of the local community, we (me and my sister) opened the first women’s market in Khaplu, which created plenty of economic opportunities for local women. I also opened a beauty salon to encourage women. More than 20 women are earning for their families from these businesses.

I have conducted many successful sessions for girls in different schools in Baltistan on reproductive health initiatives with adolescents. I also assisted in connecting many students from Khaplu to the US Embassy exchange program through different sessions, workshops, and training.

Currently, I am working as a section coordinator at Khaplu Public School and College. Besides my job, I provide voluntary services as an instructor at Grace English Access Program Khaplu Center and as a facilitator in Adolescent Friendly Space Ghanche.

I proudly share highlights of my services, as under:

• I founded the first women’s organization, “SINF_E_AHAAN” Ghanche.
• I am an active “Local Support Organisation” member of Khaplu.
• I am working as President of “Women Organization Hatchi” for the empowerment of women and gender equality.
• Conducted several teachers’ training on Leadership Skills, Classroom Management, bloom taxonomy, Social Studies, communication skill, Early Childhood Education, and Development in Ghanche
• Organized different national and international events at the school level and at the Alumni platform.
• Organized career counseling sessions for students from Ghanche.
• Conducted sports events for girls at the school level.
• Contributed to promoting girls’ sports
• Encouraging girls to volunteer and provide community services
• Conducted different sessions for females on health and hygiene and girls’ education.

I feel thrilled and satisfied that I am on the right path toward my goal. We must do much more to empower village women, which will positively impact society.