In this latest series of articles, we are publishing interviews of women working as a professional or a student in the technology sector. The objective is to highlight their work and contribution to the industry and the community.
In these interviews, you will find women working in technology to solve real-world problems, break stereotypes, and create the next big impact on the tech industry. This series of interviews shows that even with the lowest rate of women participation in the labor market in Pakistan, there are still many smart women who are creating and using technology to work wonders.
Today, we are featuring Zohra Ahmed. Read on to learn more about her work and get inspired.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, your education, and your work.
I worked in the legal and social development sector of Pakistan. I have an experience of about 11 years working with survivors of domestic violence and abuse. I have a Degree in Business and I am in the process of completing my second Degree in Law. You could say that – unlike most others – I’ve had quite a convoluted path towards my soul’s calling. I’ve been blessed to learn from the best! I was under the tutelage of Musadiq Sanwal (ex-editor, Dawn.com) as a journalist before leaving that brief stint of a career to join the family business. After a decade of shouldering that responsibility, I finally decided to step away and walk my own path. I decided to work full-time with survivors of violence and abuse across Pakistan and went on to pursue Law in the interest of helping at least some of them get justice from a System that is painfully slow to begin with.
2. What are your future plans/aspirations? How will it impact the community/society/your team/your project?
I’m passionate about creating a massive social impact within Pakistani society – and I want to focus the change at the family level, which is where the root of our GBV / DV problem(s) lies. I intend to work hard and expand The Jugnu Project (fingers crossed) across different sectors – with various collaborations. I want to change mindsets for the better – one of the most important aims to focus on is the way children are raised within families today. We must restructure the current family system so we can effectively address generational trauma and rewire our thought patterns to become more nurturing and less toxic. There’s a lot of work to do and a long way to go – decades maybe; but it’s all right. I’m ready for it.
3. Please brag about your career accomplishments. What are the things you are proud of?
I’m proud to say that I’ve had the opportunity to wear many different hats during my career so far! I’ve experienced different career journeys and a host of people along the way – all in this one lifetime and I am forever grateful. One thing I’m the proudest of is being able to create a community and a support system under The Jugnu Project where survivors can thrive. Where they can choose new lives filled with dignity and respect. Out of all the things the Almighty has blessed me with, this accomplishment makes me feel the most at peace. We still have a long way to go in our work, though – we’ve only just begun.
4. What has been your best education/career decision, and why?
My best decision so far has been to follow my heart and pivot at the ripe “old” age of 34. I decided to get a Graduate Degree in Law from the University of London and I am eternally grateful for the support system that allowed me to follow my soul’s calling – especially for my parents; may they always be blessed for how they’ve stood by me. Amen.
5. What are the best lessons you’ve learned?
Follow your inner voice and your heart. Always. Your soul knows what nourishes you. BE STUBBORN AND DO NOT LISTEN to the naysayers. They’ll switch over to your side when they see you thrive.
STOP WAITING for the right time to arrive. It never does. And you will NEVER be ready. Just start!
Age is just a number! Trust me. I’m 34, pursuing a second degree, and restarting my career at an age when most people would expect me to be dropping my children at school. It is FINE. You’re still breathing, you still have energy – TRUST YOURSELF enough to take that jump.
As women, we’re conditioned to believe that our life has to be in a set pattern. Rarely do women have the chance to follow their own dreams and ambitions. MAKE YOUR OWN PATH. Be unapologetic about it.
Finally, the last lesson I’ve learned is – FEED YOUR SOUL. Find your life purpose and single-mindedly pursue it. Don’t let anything distract you or take away from that. Anything that makes you feel at peace – and nourishes your soul – is your calling. Find out what it is and keep it alive. You’ll thank yourself for it later.
6. Which woman inspires you and why?
Any woman who recognizes the innate strength within her to make her own path and choose her own life, despite the obstacles and pressures that she may face, is an inspiration for me. However, one certain name (out of many that come to mind) that I would like to put out there of someone whose work inspires me – and someone I wish I had met – is Kamla Bhasin.
7. Do you think Pakistan has changed as a society in terms of accepting career-oriented women? What needs to change to help more women come forward?
It has, and it hasn’t. There need to be many changes both within society and the corporate set-up. We still have a mindset where the power dynamic and burden of responsibilities within the relationship are heavily skewed against women. I’m just saying that women need to be shown more consideration and compassion for what they bring to the table (whether it is paid or unpaid labor).
As a society, many families still look at a woman’s career and her right to financial independence as “just a hobby”. That is also why many women lack the support they need to build themselves up. This mindset needs to change. Financial independence is even more important for women, simply because you’re setting them up for abuse later in life if you don’t teach them to / support them in building their careers today.
Finally, companies need to be more sensitive in how they deal with their women employees. Adding childcare facilities and maternity leave, for example, will greatly help the job market – and childcare pays for itself. Let’s stop pitting women against standards made by men for men. We need policies at a corporate level that truly include women and their needs.
8. What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
I think the generation of women coming behind me is much stronger than us or our parents’ generation. They’re more knowledgeable about the world and have a lot more exposure. I think the biggest challenge for them would be to STAND UP and STAY UP. Despite the pressures that society is bound to put on them, they will need to be the final push that shakes our society out of its current ignorance and moves it forward toward a changing mindset. And it’s not an easy job at all. I don’t envy them that – but I know they can do it.
Also, to the generation of powerful women coming behind ours: stop holding yourself back in your careers. Speak up and do not be afraid to take up space. You belong in that room, and you deserve to sit at that table along with all the men. Nobody did you a favor by giving you that job / that career / that place – you’ve earned it. Believe it.
9. What would it be if you could change one thing about the tech industry/business?
I hope in the years to come the industry can become more gender-sensitive – not just with regards to recruitment but also with their internal organizational processes and the support systems that they can provide to their employees. Additionally, pay parity is one aspect we can all continue to hope for.
10. How can WomenInTechPK help you and other women?
WomenInTechPK has already done so much to highlight women’s talents and give them a platform to pursue their careers and support themselves and their families. I believe it can also serve as an excellent networking platform for women – both remotely and on the ground.
You can follow Zohra Ahmed using her profile(s) below, and please do not hesitate to hire her for your next project.
Zohra’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zohra-ahmed/
The Jugnu Project’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thejugnuproject/
