Hadiqa Bashir is a dedicated Pakistani activist committed to ending child marriages and advocating for women’s rights. Her journey began with her own struggle to avoid an early marriage, which ignited her passion for change. In 2014, she founded Girls United for Human Rights alongside her uncle, aiming to empower young girls and fight against the harmful practice of child marriage. Hadiqa’s grassroots efforts involve visiting homes to educate families about the importance of delaying marriage and promoting girls’ education.
Through her relentless advocacy, Hadiqa has successfully persuaded several families in her community to refrain from forcing their daughters into early marriages. She actively intervenes whenever she learns of a potential forced marriage and provides support to women facing domestic abuse, offering essential medical and legal assistance through her organization. Her work not only focuses on immediate interventions but also on changing cultural perceptions about women’s rights and education.
Girls United, the group she leads, consists of fifteen young women who conduct awareness sessions in schools and communities, discussing the benefits of education and health for girls. Hadiqa envisions a future where her conservative community recognizes the value of women’s rights, education, and the importance of informed choices regarding marriage.
Hadiqa’s impactful work has garnered significant recognition, including the Asian Girls Human Rights Ambassador award in 2016, making her the first Pakistani girl to receive this honor, as well as the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award in 2015 for her unwavering dedication to ending child marriages in Pakistan.