Pakistani author, feminist and one of the pioneering members of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF), Dr Rubina Saigol passed away on Friday. Dr Saigol was a feminist scholar and educationalist, who authored numerous books and papers in both English and Urdu.
Her scholarly work appeared in various national and international research journals, covering diverse themes from feminism, to educational discourse to nationalism and counter-terrorism.
Soon after the news of Dr Saigol's passing away went viral, many renowned scholars, feminists took to social media and expressed their condolences.
A giant of the women's movement in Pakistan has departed today. Dr Rubina Saigol helped a generation of scholars & activists understand the relationship between state, gender & nationalism, themes so central to today's feminist & progressive movements. Rest in power, Rubina ji. pic.twitter.com/AezlZ7On2P
— Ammar Rashid (@AmmarRashidT) August 27, 2021
Greatly saddened by the passing away of Rubina Saigol. A brilliant scholar, she was one of the first academics to fully explore and dissect the impact of myopic ideologies on the curriculums of Pakistan and India. I learned a lot from her work. May her soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/pJEC1IOVay
— Nadeem Farooq Paracha (@NadeemfParacha) August 27, 2021
Today we're much poorer for losing Dr Rubina Saigol, an incredible feminist and academic whose activism and writings have influenced an entire generation. May she rest in power.
— shmyla (@apniISPdot) August 27, 2021
She was so kind and full of life. Difficult to process.
Dr. Rubina Saigol was one of the most brilliant and kindest people I met. Big loss to the progressive movement. RIP. https://t.co/9GMP15oZcA
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) August 27, 2021
This is such a loss for us and very difficult to process. My heart is full as I remember the first time I met her and was taken by her contagious smile and unbreakable spirit. Amongst all the things she taught us. I will miss those the most. Rest in power, Dr Rubina Saigol. https://t.co/CaT4TRCO4y
— Leena (@Leena_Ghani) August 27, 2021
Talked to Miss Saigol a month ago. My thesis on Intersectionality depended heavily on her writings on Feminism in Pakistan. Rest in peace Miss Rubina Saigol 💔 pic.twitter.com/gNRXdDsSWQ
— Nishat (@Nishat64) August 27, 2021
Others will speak about Rubina Saigol’s activism, which remains her biggest contribution. But also think it’s the activism that made her such a great scholar - one armed w/ an immense clarity that comes from experience & involvement. We are undoubtedly poorer today in her absence https://t.co/vIFY5LBVzc
— Umair Javed (@umairjav) August 27, 2021
My absolute favourite academic, and one of the greatest feminists of Pakistan, Rubina Saigol Jee has passed away.
— Tooba (@Tooba_Sd) August 27, 2021
This news is so painful. She was the kindest, most generous, and perhaps the biggest influence on my understanding of gender & nation-state. Rest in power ♥️✊🏾
We have lost Rubina Saigol at a time where her uncompromising politics and incisive feminist analysis of conflict and militarization was greatly needed. Rest in power,@RubinaSaigol Salute to a life well lived. You will be remembered with ❤ and be missed for a long long time. pic.twitter.com/tNsBxKFyw5
— Maria Rashid ماریہ (@mariarshd) August 27, 2021
Dr Saigol was also a senior member of WAF and on the advisory board of Simrogh, a nonprofit organisation centred around women's rights.
She received her PhD in Education and Development from the University of Rochester and her MA in Development Psychology from Columbia University.
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