Maliha Husain
She is the Executive Director at Mehergarh: A Center for Learning. She has twenty-five plus year’s experience of working on women’s issues in Pakistan and the United States. Her areas of focus are Human Rights, Gender & Development and Economic Development. In the States, she was more involved in the economic development of women, including Microenterprise Development and Micro Finance. Her recent work is focused on gender equality and creating dignified work environments in Pakistan. She is actively involved in the nationwide implementation of anti-sexual harassment legislation; the two laws that were passed by the Government of Pakistan in the beginning of 2010.
Ms. Husain monitors nationwide implementation of the workplace harassment law and works closely with the federal and provincial governments, the private sector and civil society to facilitate and monitor effective implementation of the workplace harassment law. She guides senior managements of organizations on their role in complying with the law; train Standing Inquiry Committee Members, HR personnel and others directly involved in the implementation of these laws; supports any difficult or complicated cases of sexual harassment that she is approached with. Since March 2010, when these two laws were passed, she has trained more than 26,000 professionals and facilitated more than 4000 cases. Ms. Husain conducts awareness sessions for the employees of organizations to inform them of the issue and the law and also does television programs to educate the public on these laws and how to use them.
Her book, ‘A Game Changer for Women: Reviewing a Decade of Implementing Sexual Harassment Laws in Pakistan’ (Mehergarh Publication First Edition 2020 & Second Edition 2023 ) provides evidence that this particular law in Pakistan is systematically and institutionally implemented.
Dr. Fouzia Saeed
Dr. Fouzia Saeed is a distinguished social scientist who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Throughout her illustrious career, she has been a powerful advocate for critical issues such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, Rape and the cultural stigma associated with women in the performing arts. Beyond raising awareness, she has made significant contributions through her writings and practical solutions to address these challenges.
Dr. Saeed’s areas of expertise encompass a wide spectrum, including democracy, human rights – with a special emphasis on women’s rights, the preservation and promotion of culture, leadership, policy formulation & implementation, and education.
Her latest publication, ‘Tapestry: Strands of Women’s Struggles Woven into the History of Pakistan’ (Lighthouse Publication, 2022), is the outcome of ten years of extensive research.
‘On Their Own Terms: Early Twenty-First Century Women’s Moments in Pakistan’ (Oxford University Press, 2020) is another great book.
‘Folk Heritage of Pakistan: Glimpses into a Cultural Diversity’ (Lok Virsa, 2018) Co-authored and Edited by Dr Fouzia Saeed.
One of her most renowned works, ‘Working with Sharks: Countering Sexual Harassment in our Lives’ (Sanjh Publications, 2012 ,second edition in 2018), delves into her personal experiences with sexual harassment and her pivotal role in successfully enacting the law for the protection against sexual harassment in workplaces in 2010.
‘Forgotten Faces’ (Lok Virsa, 2011) sheds light on the paradox of fame and stigma faced by female stars in Pakistan’s folk theater.
In ‘Taboo: The Hidden Culture of Red Light Area’ (Oxford University Press, 2001 – reissued in 2011), it was originally written in English and later translated in four different languages , Urdu, Hindi, Marathi and Japanese. she uncovers the concealed culture of a red-light area, derived from eight years of field research inn the Red Light area of Lahore, Pakistan. This work sparked a national dialogue on women’s rights and dignity.
‘Women in Folk Theatre’ (Lok Virsa, 1991) delves into the lives of women who used to work in Pakistan’s folk theater.
Dr. Saeed’s advocacy and research have addressed issues concerning women in slavery, women’s mobility and violence against women. Her extensive experience includes working with the United Nations and various international development organizations. She is a founding member of Mehergarh: A Center for Learning a prominent human rights institute.
As an expert trainer, Dr. Saeed has empowered thousands of individuals. Educating others is an important part of everything she does. She initiated Youth Leadership Training at Mehergarh Training Center and has also worked with Women Leaders across the country.
Furthermore, Dr. Saeed was actively involved in policy-making and played a pivotal role in formulating Pakistan’s first Culture Policy in 2018. She also worked with cultural activists to strengthen democracy and promote peace and acceptance throughout Pakistan.
Dr. Kamran Ahmad
Dr. Kamran Ahmad, Director 4D Solutions (https://drkamranahmad-4d.com/) holds a PhD in South Asian Spirituality, along with multiple degrees in various disciplines from the USA. He has a diverse teaching background, having instructed in both Religion and Psychology at universities in the USA and Pakistan. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Ahmad has spent the last three decades traveling worldwide, exploring various spiritual traditions, including different Sufi Orders. This extensive experience enables him to extract the core elements of spirituality that underlie these diverse forms and identify their manifestation in everyday life in Pakistan. Over the years, he has also been actively involved with civil society in Pakistan and has served as a Clinical Psychologist with the International Civil Services for the past decade. He was also the International trainer for the United Nations.
Dr. Kamran Ahmad has authored several other books; His notable publications include:
‘Between Saints and Sinners: Understanding Men, Traps, and Triumphs of Treading Life as Men’ (Sanjh Publication, 2021).
‘Two Candles of Peace: Dialogues on Peace and Spirituality on Personal and Global Levels’ co-authored by Dr. Kamran Ahmad and Dr. Khalid Sohail (Green Zone Publications, 2020).
‘Tareeqat: 7 Elements of Living Sufism in Pakistan’ (Mehergarh Publications, 2011), a critically acclaimed work that addresses the contemporary need for understanding amidst religious and cultural conflicts. It has been translated in Urdu as well.
‘Roots of Religious Tolerance in Pakistan and India’ (Vanguard Books, 2008), which eloquently explores religious interactions in the subcontinent. It took him about 10 years to complete his research and write this book.
‘Exploring Dimensions and Challenges of Pluralism in Pakistan’ (Mehergarh Publications, 2000).
