Women of Pakistan have taken it in their own hands to empower themselves and are shattering one stereotype after another. Islamabad’s Amira Liaqat is one of those women. She is not only self-empowered but is also working for the empowerment of other women.
Amira, who is originally from the city of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, runs a Gol-Gappa stall in an Islamabad market where she also sells fruit shakes. She comes from an educational background and holds a master’s degree in Pakistan Studies.
She not only owns the food stall, but also cooks, serves and cleans her stall despite having a small team of helpers. Amira believes that if an educated woman can run her own food stall, so can women sitting at home.
“I come here at 12 o’clock. I don’t come and sit here like an owner, but I do the cutting myself. I prepare the food and I’m a waiter myself. It’s my job and I have no problem doing it,” she said.
Amira has nearly 10 years experience of working in different NGO’s and welfare institutes. Before she quit to start her own small business, she used to get a salary of more than a lac Pakistani rupees.
“You have to make money, you can’t deny that you don’t have to make money, but along with the money, I have a message for women who are waiting for someone to help them. Set up your business, even if it is a small “dhaba” of French fries,” Amira said.
Although she has quit working in NGOs, Amira still does social work. She has sett up a tent in Islamabad to support several families. She is not only self-sufficient but also believes in empowering women.
The women of the village on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad where she belongs, are only allowed to work as a teacher. Naturally, when Amira started working in an NGO, she faced many difficulties.
Fortunately, her family supported her. She earns in Islamabad and helps people in her village. She also supplies monthly rations to many needy families in the capital. Today, everyone who used to talk behind her back, stands with her.
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