Women’s Day: Pakistani women who made our 2024 better

Just like last year, thousands of Pakistani women will once again march and participate in Aurat Marche today, in honour of International Women’s Day.

This Women’s Day, let’s take a quick look at all the Pakistani women that has inspired many women and girls in our country and made us proud this year:

Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan’s first woman chief minister

Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of Nawaz Sharif and a political leader became Pakistan’s first female provincial chief minister.

She is the country’s first woman to hold the post. Maryam Nawaz, the fourth member of her family to become Punjab chief minister after her father Nawaz Sharif, his brother Shehbaz, and Shehbaz’s son Hamza, was not into politics until 2013 when Nawaz became the prime minister for the third time.

ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi

ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi has become the center of attention for her bravery in a recent incident when she pacified the angry mob and safely escorted the Ichra woman out of the restaurant.

She not only earned praise and recognition, but also received a prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal (QPM) medal and appreciation from CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz.

The woman in Lahore was targeted by a mob who accused her of blasphemy, mistaking the Arabic prints on her kurta for Quranic verses. That’s when the ASP rescued her and became an overnight hero.

Erica Robin, first Pakistani contestant at Miss Universe

Erica Robin became the talk of the town this year as she is the first to represent her country as Miss Pakistan in a Miss Universe pageant.

She is adored for not only taking part in the bold competition but how beautifully she carried her fashion statements throughout the competition. In a swimsuit competition, Robin made a fashion statement in a burkini. She was seen wearing a baby-pink burkini, which had a shiny neckline that stood out against the pastel fabric and covered most of her body.

Shazia Syed listed in Forbes

Shazia Syed, the former CEO of Unilever Pakistan, has once again been honoured with a place in the Forbes list, this time as one of the 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen of 2024.

Currently serving as the general manager for Unilever’s operations in North Africa, Iraq, Levant, and Arabia, Syed had previously been acknowledged as one of the top executives in the Middle East in 2023. Hailing from Abbottabad, Syed embarked on her professional journey as a Management Trainee at Unilever Pakistan. She swiftly ascended the corporate ladder, assuming leadership positions across Pakistan and within Unilever’s global operations in Marketing, Sales, and General Management.

Her journey includes leading Unilever’s Personal Care division in Vietnam, serving as CEO in Sri Lanka, and later being appointed as the global Executive Vice President for Unilever’s Beverage division. Syed’s trajectory is marked by unparalleled success.

She has been a staunch advocate for women’s empowerment and advancement in the dynamic realm of business, both within Pakistan and internationally.