PH-Educated Pakistani Woman Talks About Empowering Others

Dr. Shahida Jaffrey talks about her experiences as a woman from Pakistan who has pursued higher education abroad and helped other Pakistani women achieve their goals. (San Francisco PCG photo)

SAN FRANCISCO 15 November 2018 – Focusing on her life story as an empowered woman and her contribution to the empowerment of other women and families in her native Balochistan, Dr. Shahida Jaffrey presented a talk entitled “A Woman from Pakistan” hosted by The League of San Francisco Consular Corps (LSFCC), in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on 07 November 2018.

In her welcome remarks, LSFCC President Madame Mariza S. Bensurto emphasized that despite all the achievements of many contemporary women and predecessors, there is an urgent need to sustain the momentum of achieving gender equality.

“In terms of gender equality, there is much to be done by all of us, especially us women…in our world today that continues discriminatory practices against girls and women, including limiting opportunities for their development and educational advancement,” she said.

Dr. Jaffrey shared her story of raising a family while continuing her studies and becoming an educator herself. As the wife of a diplomat and mother of three, she raised her children in Manila and Brussels and continued her post-graduate studies.

She finished her doctoral degree in education at the University of the Philippines as her expatriate family lived in the country for 14 years. Her husband served as a diplomat and later on worked for the Asian Development Bank.

She recalled having met political figures in the Philippine society in the 1980s and witnessed the changing political and social milieu at that time. She also fondly recalled her experiences raising her growing brood with the help of “Manang Luz” from the Philippines. Dr. Jaffrey later on taught at De La Salle University upon the invitation of former De La Salle president Brother Andrew Gonzalez.

In Balochistan, Dr. Jaffrey was able to contribute more to the development of her countrymen, especially in the countryside.

With her privileged family background, she used her time to teach and train her compatriots to grow crops of value, including fruits and vegetables. She has also taught women to raise their children and families well and encouraged them to pursue their education.

In 2004, she established the first women’s university in the largest province of Pakistan, Balochistan. She founded the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, where she also served as the first woman Vice Chancellor.

Asked, however, which of all her accomplishments that she considers most important and memorable, she said, “It is being a mother to my children and raising them well.”

Dr. Jaffrey currently serves on the boards of the Rural Support Programs Network, a network of the major Rural Support Programs in Pakistan; National Rural Support Program; Balochistan Rural Support Program; and the National Institute of Rural Management.

She is also the chairperson of Behbud, Balochistan, a non-profit organization, which provides preventive healthcare to underprivileged women in the rural area of District Mastung.

Among her numerous awards and honors are Accolade of Excellence, Woman of the Year for Education, 15th Star Awards, by the South Asia Publications, and Civil Society Organization 2008 President’s Award: The Tamgha-e-Imtiaz. She was also a 2009 Magsaysay Award nominee.

Dr. Jaffrey holds a Master’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Punjab Lahore and PhD in Education from UP. END

League of San Francisco Consular Corps President Madame Mariza Bensurto gives the welcome remarks and underscores the importance of empowering women and achieving gender equality. (San Francisco PCG photo)

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