Begum Jan

Begum Jan at the International Women of Courage Awards In Washington DC, 2008

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

  1. 1 2 Women From 8 Countries Honored - Tucson News Now
  2. 1 2 Fata woman receives courage award - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
  3. 1 2 3 International Women of Courage Award Ceremony: 2008
  4. 1 2 The Deseret News - Google News Archive Search
  5. ↑ Pakistani Woman Finds Education Can Be Politically Dangerous | IIP Digital


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