Career women: Trail blazers

Meet a few determined women who are making waves in their chosen fields.

Sadaf Mobin — Chef

It’s quite ironic how cooking is considered to be a woman’s job yet most great chefs tend to be men. People are not open to the idea of a female chef because they feel it involves more than just cooking. However, Sadaf Mobin has made it a challenge for herself to excel in the field, travelling widely and taking cooking courses to add to her knowledge. She says, “Our society is very patriarchal and most men cannot accept the idea of a woman being ahead of them in a field.” Rather than hold her back, this attitude has in fact spurred her desire to keep learning so that she can become better at what she does.

Sadaf’s husband calls her a ‘lion’ because she has ventured into such a male-dominated field. “People say that the environment is bad,” says Sadaf. “But we ourselves affect the environment. If I follow a proper code of conduct with other people then there will be no reason for me to feel uncomfortable.”

Rehmat un Nisa — Physiotherapist at Iradah

Interacting with mentally and physically handicapped people is not easy - but luckily some people not only choose to care for people with special needs, but also enjoy their work tremendously. Rehmat un Nisa is one of them. Born in a village in Chakwal, Rehmat developed a knack for dealing with the handicapped since her father, brothers and uncles were all handicapped. “My work gives me a lot of satisfaction. I enjoy working with kids,” she says.

Rehmat is quite vocal about her beliefs, and says that women must fight for their rights and should speak up if they face injustice. “I’m very happy with my independence. If a woman is earning, she gains importance. The same people who used to oppose me now approach me for help – they want to find jobs for their daughters. And that really makes me feel proud of myself.”

Shamim Sardar — Entrepreneur

In a small city in Pakistan, an elderly and uneducated woman owns what most people dream of owning: her very own business. “My brother used to try and stop me from going out and working,” says Shamim Sardar. “He said he would help me out but he didn’t… so in the end, I helped myself.”  Shamim says she invested all of her savings in her business. “There are a lot of advantages, she says. I can educate my children, and there is nothing like being able to work honestly. I’ve also managed to help out my husband.”

Shamim feels that in the present day, both the husband and wife have to work. She is also of the opinion that when someone limits a woman, he makes her weaker. Shamim’s story proves that success can come to those who persevere, no matter what the odds.

Tahira — Former driver for the UN

How often have you seen a professional female driver in Pakistan? Not too often. There may not be many out there … but Tahira is one of them. “I was provided with a big car, a twin cab. My job was to chauffeur UN staff members around, deliver the mail and go to the foreign office. People were often shocked to see a female driver, but I feel you should never stop fighting in life.” Tahira feels that she and her husband have set an excellent example for their children by working hard and never giving up. She feels that nothing would have been possible without her husband’s support. Tahira is now working at another organisation as an office assistant and receptionist. She is still studying and completing her education. “Whatever your work is, respect is an essential part.” of it,” she says.

Mitho — The circus performer

For Mitho,being a woman certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t be a circus performer. Without male relatives to support her, Mitho always had to fend for herself. She first came to know about the circus through her sister.

“I don’t feel I should hold myself back just because I’m a girl,” says Mitho. When she works with men in the circus she acts like she’s just one of the boys, and says this attitude helps make people take her seriously. She is determined not to let her gender influence her decisions in any way – whether those decisions are conventional or unconventional.

Part of a gender sensitive reporting project by International Labour Organisation andThe Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, March 6^th, 2011.