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Tabassum Adnan: A Pakistani Women rights activist who was honored with Nelson Mandela Award

KARACHI: A women’s rights activist in Swat has been honored with the prestigious Nelson Mandela – Graça Machel Innovation Award 2016 in Columbia.

Tabassum Adnan, a working lady in Swat who struggles for women’s rights was recognised by the governing body of the Nelson Mandela – Graça Machel Innovation Award 2016.

After being honored, Tabassum expressed her delight and said that she is thankful to the Pakistani people for their support and cooperation.

“I can’t explain how much happy I am. It’s all because of the support of people of Pakistan. With their support and cooperation, I was able to win the prestigious award,” said Tabassum.

Remembering her past times, Tabassum said that she was married at the age of 13 and had her first child at the age of 14.

“I have suffered 20 years of mental and physical abuse after getting married at early age. I was divorced few years after my marriage and lost my children and home,” Tabassum said.

After her divorce, she founded the first ever female-only Jirga in Pakistan by the name of Khwendo Jirga. The jirga supports rights for women which include voting and security.

She was awarded International Women of Courage award in the United States in 2015.

 

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M M Alam

M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career four decades ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.