Think Piece: June 2015

Think Piece: More About Me!

Think Piece: More About Me!: Academically I am a Ph.D. in International Relations; professionally I am an Assistant Professor at the Department of International Re...

Academically I am a Ph.D. in International Relations; professionally I am an Assistant Professor at the Department of International Relations, University of Peshawar, and passionately I am a teacher with an aim to lead for promotion of a peaceful society. At the same time I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, daughter and aunt.

In Pakistan in general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular, the concept of women acquiring higher education is rare, that too for those who get married at a young age. After getting married at the age of 16, raising my children to excel academically has brought me great satisfaction as a mother. However, one day after all my siblings completed their formal education, my youngest brother noted that I was the least educated in the family. Though he said it without malice, it stuck with me.

With my passion for higher education reignited, I restarted my studies after a gap of 16 years. I sat for my FA exam (twelfth grade) with my son and after passing it there was no looking back. I completed my Masters in I.R. from University of Peshawar in 2005. In 2006, I enrolled myself in MPhil leading to Ph.D., program, simultaneously joining Department of I.R. on engagement basis. After a rigorous procedure of exams and interviews I made a place for myself among the permanent faculty in September 2009.

The subject of my thesis was, “Evangelicals Influence on US Foreign Policy: Impact on Pakistan - US Relations ( Sep 2001 - Nov 2013). I was awarded a fully funded Research Fellowship by Georgetown University, to pursue my research related to my thesis. In 2012, I was selected a SUSI scholar to study US Foreign Policy at the University of Florida. I successfully defended my PhD thesis in 2013.

I am a proud mother of a son - who is in civil service, my eldest daughter following my footsteps is also pursuing her Masters in I.R. after an early marriage. My youngest daughter has recently done her MBA and has achieved National Youth Award for her meritorious services for the youth of Pakistan.

My whole world changed after I joined a male dominated institution, where I had to and still have to struggle, not only against my male colleagues but also females, to find my place. I have had to put up with behaviour that would sound shocking coming from members of the educated and enlightened academia. I still remember when the Chairperson brushed aside my application stating that I couldn’t possibly be a serious candidate and labeled my desire to work ‘the temporary whim of a bored housewife’. Though I got the job based on merit and have slowly been making my way up, my greatest struggle perhaps has been making my name in my own right, not as someone’s daughter or wife, a fight all too familiar for many women whose culture limits them to the label of mother/wife/daughter of so and so. From accusations that my husband wrote my thesis, to allegations that he, being a General, was the reason for my appointments, promotions or various selections, I have seen it all. All I can say is that it has only made me stronger and more determined, and made me realize that I owe it not only to myself, but my daughters, granddaughter, and the women in my community, to show them, that I am my own person - whole and independent - and I own my successes, failures and hard work.

Think Piece

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Think Piece: More About Me!

More About Me!

Think Piece: About me

Think Piece: Our Future.

Think Piece: Afghanistan

Think Piece: Religion and Women’s Rights: Lessons from Pakistan...

Think Piece: Pakistani Women: Role in Peace and Security

Think Piece: Transformation of National Security Discourse sinc...

Think Piece: My article in 'Review of Faith and International A...

Think Piece: My Paper in Putaj (Oriental Studies)Vol. 20, 2013

Think Piece: My paper in [J.R.S.P., Vol. 50, No. 2, December 20...

Think Piece: Research Paper

Research Paper