Asma Jahangir has died. A lawyer and human rights activist in Pakistan, there’s pretty a good argument to suggest she is the bravest person ever — fighting for women, children and religious minorities in Pakistan is not exactly the easiest vocation.
Her activism began in the early 1980s, when she mobilized against the military regime of Zia-ul-Haq, alongside Benazir Bhutto as part of the Movement for Restoration of Democracy. In 1983, she was arrested and beaten for her part in protesting law that stated a woman’s legal testimony was worth half that of a man’s.
From there, she set up Pakistan’s first legal aid charity, set up an all-women legal firm and co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan 1987, while lobbying hard to end bonded labour and child slavery in Pakistan.
Whilst very few people can equal her achievements, bravery or commitment, people can strive to follow her lesson, and change a small part of the world around them.
Black History Month is the story of great injustices done and brave struggles undertaken to reshape the world. Anyone that can communicate its message are doing their part in this movement to affect change.
Likewise, TACSU’s work with Black History Month is not the only example that we seek to highlight. Trent WUSC’s refugee program and the growing Scholars at Risk movement on campus are also student-led attempts to make meaning meaningful change, ensuring people a way out of their dangerous situations.
Arthur has a week-long break for reading break and will return afterwards with reflections on Self-Love week and Social Justice Day. So, if you want to write about Self-Love week or Social Justice Day, send us your stories by March 2 on editors@trentarthur.ca.
Sincerely,
your editors of Arthur Newspaper