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Tanzeela Qambrani, the Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA), Sindh, Pakistan. She is the first MPA from the Sheedis, the African-Pakistan minority community. Photo credit: Reddit.com
Gender & Politics

First African-Pakistani Lawmaker Fights To Claim Power

Tanzeela Qambrani (41) created history in Pakistan when she became the first Sheedi Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) of Sindh Assembly in 2018. Her election to the Sindh Assembly was significant for many reasons.As the first Sheedi lawmaker, she fought hard to rise above prejudices and discrimination. She was forced out from the position of Chairperson of the municipal council of Matli in Badin district of Sindh by councillors from her own Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The elite councillors refused to accept  a descendent of former slaves as their leader.Sheedis (known as Sidis in India)  are Pakistan’s African minority group

Bhanupriya Rao Sugandha Singh and Akhil Neelam        
Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, the education minister of Maharashtra and MLA from Dharavi, Mumbai. Photo courtesy: The Hindu
Gender & Politics

“I Am The Education Minister Of Maharashtra Because Of Savitribai Phule”

For Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (45), Dharavi in Mumbai is much more than a constituency. She calls it home.The 4 time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Indian National Congress ( INC) from Dharavi- Asia’s biggest slum- has had her boots on the ground for the last 6 months in the efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in one of the most densely populated slums in the world. From decentralising medical screening to streamlining the process of sending migrant workers back home, she has been in the middle of it all, personally overseeing the efforts.As the education minister of Maharashtra,

Bhanupriya Rao Sugandha Singh and Akhil Neelam        
Fawzia Koofi, Member of Parliament, Afghanistan. She is one of the only two women leading the peace negotiations with the Taliban. Photo courtesy: Fawzia Koofi
Gender & Politics

The Afghan MP Who Is Not Shaken By The Strong Winds

Fawzia Koofi (45), the Member of Parliament from Afghanistan, has survived several assassination attempts by the Taliban.“The Taliban dislike women holding such powerful positions in government as I do, and they dislike my public criticisms even more. They often try to kill me”, she writes in her memoir, ‘ The Favoured Daughter’.Despite this, she is negotiating for peace, as one of the only two women in the pan Afghan delegation, in talks with the hardline Islamic group for the future of Afghanistan.Throughout her life, Fawzia Koofi, has beaten the odds.As a newborn, she survived after being left in the sun

Bhanupriya Rao Sugandha Singh and Akhil Neelam        
Fawzia Koofi, Member of Parliament, Afghanistan. She is one of the only two women leading the peace negotiations with the Taliban. Photo courtesy: Fawzia Koofi
Gender & Politics

The Afghan MP Negotiating Peace With The Taliban

Fawzia Koofi (45), the Member of Parliament from Afghanistan, has survived several assassination attempts by the Taliban.“The Taliban dislike women holding such powerful positions in government as I do, and they dislike my public criticisms even more. They often try to kill me”, she writes in her memoir, ‘ The Favoured Daughter’.Despite this, she is negotiating for peace, as one of the only two women in the pan Afghan delegation, in talks with the hardline Islamic group for the future of Afghanistan.Throughout her life, Fawzia Koofi, has beaten the odds.As a newborn, she survived after being left in the sun

Bhanupriya Rao Sugandha Singh and Akhil Neelam        
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the NPP alliance contestant in national elections in Sri Lanka. Photo credit: jvpsrilanka.com
Analysis

“Women in Sri Lanka Need to Change The Masculine, Toxic Political Space”: Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

Sri Lanka is all set to elect its ninth Parliament on 5 August 2020. According to officials, 7,452 candidates, 70 parties and 313 independent groups are contesting the elections.Sri Lanka has a unique place in history for electing the world’s first female Prime Minister- Sirimavo Bandaranayake. However, only 5.3% Members of Parliament in the last session were women. Women’s representation in the Parliament as well as grassroots institutions has been abysmally low, inspite of better gender indicators in the South Asia region.Only 24 women have been fielded by the main political alliances in these elections.Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is one of

Bhanupriya Rao Sugandha Singh and Akhil Neelam