Pakistani activist honoured with Global Citizen award in NY

Syeda Ghulam Fatima works for the betterment of bonded labor in Pakistan's brick kilns

Pakistani human rights activist Syeda Ghulam Fatima was honoured with a Global Citizen award for her dedication to civil rights in Pakistan during the Clinton Global Citizen award ceremony held in New York on Sunday.

Fatima works for the betterment of bonded labour in Pakistan as the elected general secretary of the Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan (BLLF).

https://twitter.com/amanda_boyek/status/648305336374423552

Read: HONY raises $1.3 million to help end bonded labour in Pakistan

The activist is known for advocating compliance of the International Labour Organisation’s key labour standards in Pakistan, as well as  campaigning for legal rights of the mistreated brick kiln workers and female domestic and home-based workers in the country.

She is a member of the Provincial Committee for Abolition of Bonded Labour Punjab and of the District Vigilance Committee in the 12th district of Pakistan.

Read: Teenager from Swat honoured with Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award in US

Recently, during his visit to Pakistan, photo blogger Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York coordinated with Fatima for the relief of bonded labour in Pakistan. HONY did a remarkable seven-photo series depicting the struggle of the female activist fighting against bonded labour. Moved by HONY’s images, people from around the world donated $2 million to BLLF.

https://instagram.com/p/8JdsnwFEGZ17L4vocNzPbjw4nwbV6heom--pY0/

Fatima was electrocuted and beaten numerous times for her activism.

Read: Bonded humans of Pakistan

The Clinton Global Citizen Awards were established in 2007 and represent President Bill Clinton’s call to action by honouring ‘outstanding individuals who exemplify global citizenship through their vision and leadership. These citizens have proven that diverse sectors of society can work together successfully to devise solutions that effect positive, lasting social change.’