WUNRN
PAKISTAN - YOUNG DISABLED WOMAN IS
LEADER FOR RIGHTS
Pakistan woman with disability believes in breaking barriers of social exclusion and developing role models.
By Sehrish Wasif - May 11, 2012
When it comes to having a support system, individuals with disabilities are
very challenged in
However, some like Abia Akram, 28, break the shackles.
Akram has become the first ever Pakistani woman with disability to be nominated as the Coordinator for Commonwealth Young Disabled People’s Forum and Global Coordinator at Global Network of Emerging Women Leader, Disabled People’s International.
Born with physical disability into a middle-class family in
She is a harbinger of hope for people, especially women with disabilities in the country. “In a society where women with disabilities are mostly considered a liability, my achievements have proven that they (the women) can leave their mark in any field,” she said.
Akram also served as National Forum of Women with Disability chairperson, Asia Pacific Network of Independent Living Pioneer member and Capital Independent Living Centre project manager. She has been engaged in the activities of Disability Movement since 1997.
“A group of 15 young disabled persons, on our personal initiative, gathered
in
She further said that even though
Her elder brother Mohammad Atif who himself is physically disabled said, “No doubt the government has framed various policies for persons with disabilities, but despite these efforts, most people with disabilities remain completely un-served and are facing difficulty in living with dignity in their respective communities.
This is also the reason why Atif is so proud of what his sister has achieved. It’s a big honour for the family and for the whole nation, a women facing a triple handicap– due to her disability, gender and belonging a developing country– is excelling in her field,” he said.