- The Hazara community in Quetta faces long-standing violence. Women, like Advocate Jalila Haider, are defying odds and breaking barriers.
- Jalila Haider’s ‘Craft Surprise’ center offers Hazara women livelihoods, using savings for scholarships to create opportunities and transform lives.
- Beyond crafts, Jalila Haider’s advocacy earned her the “2020 International Women of Courage Award,” highlighting her dedication to justice and empowerment.
The Hazara community in Quetta have been facing violence for decades in their region. Facing multiple challenges, the women in the Hazara community have demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience and are breaking barriers. One such woman is Advocate Jalila Haider, she is the first female Hazara lawyer of Pakistan.
On her quest to empower the Hazara women of her community she has opened a handicraft centre ‘Craft Surprise’ that is aimed towards making a difference in the lives of the countless underprivileged women in Quetta from the Hazara community.
“I Used My Scholarship Savings to Open Craft Surprise” – Jalila Haider
In order to create multiple opportunities for the women who are part of a community that has endured the deaths of their fathers, brothers, husbands, this initiative was taken these women are earning a livelihood to sustain themselves and their children or supporting aged parents who have lost their young breadwinners.
A foreign graduate, Jalila Haider decided to use the amount she had saved up from her UK scholarship and a small investment from a friend to start this venture that would in turn feed and empower 100’s of women. Her initial plan was to buy a car for herself after coming back to Pakistan but upon receiving multiple requests for aid from the Hazara women she started this initiative for uplifting their standard of living.
In an interview with BBC Urdu, the advocate says,
“I wouldn’t have been happy with a car, while the rest of my community remained hungry.”
She further adds that all the products and handicrafts the women make are sold to the public in person and online.
“When they send me a video of a completed carpet, i feel so happy and that is a true moment of pride for me and i immediately post it on social media for everyone to see!”
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Apart from teaching women and girls adequate skills for carpet weaving, stitching and other crafts, the development centre also provides a day-care facility for young children – a blessing for new mothers who are unable to leave their child at home. The centre has also begun teaching attendees stitching which Jalila recounts was only possible when a fellow Hazara woman living abroad donated a number of sewing machines for the centre.
Providing an equal opportunity to women from all walks of life, this centre is transforming the lives of many.
The Woman Behind the Handicraft Centre ‘Craft Surprise’
Jalila Haider is a Pakistani human rights activist, lawyer, and social worker who has gained recognition for her dedicated efforts to advocate for the rights and empowerment of marginalized communities, particularly women and ethnic minorities. Born in the Hazara community in Quetta, she is the first Hazara female lawyer in Pakistan.
Her work focuses on addressing the issues faced by women and minorities in Balochistan, a province in Pakistan. She is a vocal advocate against gender-based violence, discrimination, and unequal access to opportunities. Apart from Craft Surprise she has also founded the non-profit organization “We the Humans” to provide legal aid and support to vulnerable individuals who often lack access to justice.
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She also serves as a prominent voice in media, advocating for policy changes and greater accountability for Hazara women. She received the “2020 International Women of Courage Award” from the U.S. Department of State, which celebrates the bravery and leadership of women activists from around the world.
Through her tireless efforts, Jalila Haider is contributing to a more inclusive and just society, where the rights and dignity of all individuals are upheld.
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