What do we know about Pakistan?
A charismatic ex-premier figure of Imran Khan will come to someone’s mind, others will think of Islam religion and the way of living, there are people who will be able to tell a dramatic story of how the British Raj was separated.
Samia Afridi is a main character of this interview, she considers herself a Pakistani, as well as she was born one. She acknowledges problems in her country and speaks out about them but there is pride and love in her voice while she speaks about it. Islam is her religion, however she wears stylish trousers with an oriental pattern and her head is uncovered. Yesterday she gave a powerful speech on the site of the track “Dobro” and today we are in one of the few quiet corners on the site of the “Eurasia Global” forum having a meaningful discussion about charity, forward projects connected to protection of women and children’s rights and other topics that are crucial for Pakistani society.
We present to you this conversation about charity, forward projects connected to protection of women and children’s rights and the world of nowadays Pakistan.
Samia about her experience
- Introduce yourself, please.
I am Samia Afridi from Pakistan. I'm currently working as a program manager with one of the non-profit organizations named School of Leadership Foundation. I have been a developing practitioner for the past five years, working with INGOs as implementing partner such as UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO and UNV*. I have worked with the British Council as well.
I have been a part of different scope development work in Pakistan. For example, during the COVID time, when it was hard for everyone but especially for those without access to the Internet and other sources of getting education. I worked with the British Council on a project called IFERB – International Free Education Resource Bank. We compiled a book explaining some engaging activities that were easily doable at home. It was introduced in the most underprivileged area of Pakistan with an aim to introduce homeschooling concept and equip parents with tips and techniques to help them keeping up with their kids education even at the times of closure of educational institutes.
That project is very close to my heart because of the feedback I received.
One woman said that by utilizing presented techniques she saw all the potential her daughter has and instead of making her marry someone, which is common even for the youngest girls in Pakistan, decided to let her continue education.
Although it was a year ago, it is still very inspiring for me.
During my five-year experience I have noticed that we need trained youth and adolescents because they are our future. Nevertheless, I think that even though previous generations play a significant role in our life, we often forget about them. In Pakistan it is not rare for the parents to have the upper hand and make all the decisions for the kids. Therefore, including a component of counseling of parents and training them get familiar with the new generations needs and importance of understanding their perspective will help bring significant improvements. I can explain the concept by one of the recent examples that my friend shared with me. Normally we see celebrating birthday kids who start crying while cutting a cake and that is because of the sudden singing in loud voices, clapping and dancing. It scares kids. What my friend did to deal with this situation? Few weeks before her birthday, the whole family started singing the birthday song to the kid regularly to get the kid familiarize with the situation and so he doesn’t get scared. And that is actually what happened. The formula worked. That is how parents’ behavior and way of dealing things has huge impact on children’s better future. Because of that he wasn’t scared during the Birthday. For that reason, it should be slightly diverted from predominantly the youth and adolescents to parents, providing all the necessary tips and techniques.
- I would like to ask you about your background. Did you get your degree in Europe or America? It seems to me that you have such great experience.
I got my bachelor’s degree in Pakistan, from the UK Board. There is a huge lack of career counselling in Pakistan. If the kid is in high school, there are few degrees, which will be promoted. For example, a doctor or engineer degree.
However, If a child chooses to be a singer or an artist, the parents are not very supportive about it.
- Does It regard only girls or to boys too?
To boys as well. There is so much stress on boys because they have to have a good qualification or degree because it is required to have a good job and profession to get married and take care of parents in future.
- Yesterday during the speech you said that started to volunteer when you were a student. What inspired you to become a volunteer?
During my school time I was a part of the student council and used to organize community programs like visiting orphanages and managing cultural events for them as well. Afterwards, when I was in my professional studies, I wanted to work as well and that is when I came across a post on Facebook (banned in the Russian Federation), where it was said that they were searching for young leaders for the conference. I applied and failed the interview because I could be only a part-time volunteer and they needed a full-time commitment. However, when I was leaving, one of their team members came in and told me that I can join them.
That’s how I was rejected at first and then suddenly accepted.
I worked as a volunteer for four months and gained an extensive experience that led the organization offered me a job as a project coordinator and it’s been five years I am associated with the organization and now promoted to Program Manager position.
Therefore, using my time effectively and in a most productive way has always been my motivation that let me to do multiple volunteer work in Pakistan.
- What is your hometown in Pakistan? Is it Islamabad or a small city?
Basically, I’m from the tribal areas of Pakistan. The image that exists right now is that Pakistan is a very controversial country and there are terrorism and other dangers. That is the area where I belong from. Now the situation has been settled down and you can live peacefully but people have been badly affected by terrorism, some of them had to migrate to other places just to save their lives.
- It was very dangerous, wasn’t it?
It was very dangerous because the homes that people had were occupied by the terrorists. The residents had only two options: either to collaborate with the terrorists or leave. Otherwise, they were killed. But it was a long time ago, the Pakistani army has taken over the area and it is completely safe to live there now.
I remember the time when my father used to receive phone calls every day or every week about people getting killed. So yes, it was very hard, if not for me but at least for my dad and his whole family. It is heartbreaking to see your people suffering but now we are happy that the situation is improving.
Conservatism in Pakistan
- What can you tell about conservative mindset in Pakistan?
There are some rural areas, where child marriage exists to this day and people do not work on education for girls as they will be married to someone anyway. And even though those girls have dreams to fulfil, there is still a high dropout from school ratio among them. For one of my project, I have visited three schools and met students as well as their parents that the girls were allowed to study. The problem behind it is that one of the girls was to get married in next three months despite being fifteen years old. Child marriage is believed to be acceptable, that has to be changed. I understand that the child marriage may be coming from the ancestors but now they think that it is a part of their culture, and it is not a problem for them. In one of the 4-days adolescents training, it was very surprising to see that an eighteen-year-old girl joined the training on day 2 with an infant. Upon asking she said, the baby is just a week old, and she is sad that she missed the first day of training because she was recovering.
It was remarkable to see a keen interest in learning but culturally norms have a lot of barriers for them.
- As for the young and adolescents, how do they feel about studying abroad?
There is a huge number of people who want to go abroad for study and job purposes. For example, there are many Pakistani residents getting education in America. As compared to boys, girls are less allowed to study abroad because it is believed to be too risky. I have experienced this because when I had to go to other countries, my mother used to say: “Get married and go with your husband”. Nevertheless, everyone is allowed to go and study abroad.
- You have mentioned that your partners are UN agencies. Could you give me more details about it?
In all these projects I participate as an implementing partner. These agencies have programs, and we help to implement them in Pakistan. We do the advising, implementing and reporting with these UN agencies. The most recent one was with UNFPA. We have organized the Youth challenge named with health and well-being. The challenge was open for the youth from all over Pakistan. Announcing the “Health and Wellbeing Youth Innovation Challenge ‘22” aimed for innovation in community based, Reproductive Health & Rights (RHR) interventions. For that reason, I always focus on getting ideas and people from the vulnerable community and help them out so that they can take part and bring improvements to their communities. During the challenge we selected five teams from all over Pakistan, which pitched amazing ideas. We provide seeding money and mentoring, which helps them to change their ideas into reality. For example, one of the teams pitched about lack of awareness about reproductive health among women. They have proposed that they will get MP3 players, upload information in it and distribute to the people.
Another ongoing program is with UNICEF. Similarly, we have gathered innovative ideas and teams from all over Pakistan on “Elevating lives of People and the Planet”. This challenge is happening in Pakistan from last three years with different theme every year. One of the ideas is about biodegradable plastic. These two are ongoing programs but we have extensive experience with many other NGO. Through the same challenge one of the team from Pakistan working on Menstrual Hygiene Management won at the global platforms amongst 80 teams. That was a great success for Pakistan and all partner organizations.
Challenges for Pakistan and the younger generation
- What are the challenges of girls in Pakistan?
There are urban and rural areas, which are very different from one another. In urban areas people are getting education, have easy access to healthcare and other basic necessities of life.
But in rural areas it’s like one hundred years back.
Very limited or no access to the Internet, limited access to electronic devices, child marriage, health problems, narrow-minded parents and high dropout rate are only some of the challenges girls face there. There is no family planning, which in some rural areas is considered to be taboo. Furthermore, after getting married there is always pressure of bringing up kids. There are male dominant families and everything that a man says has to be obeyed. Lack of self-awareness, self-realization and self-motivation are common challenges there. The girls are obliged to follow traditions, which have been followed for centuries. Right after a girl is born her family starts gathering stuff for her marriage. She will be married to anyone her parents consider reliable. Afterwards, she gives birth one after another and her whole life consists of it. This is a standard living process that has been followed in the rural areas of Pakistan.
- I also grew up in a small Russian city without the opportunities and ways for development. Then I moved to the capital, where there are many of them. Nevertheless, some regions of Russia and Caucus in particular face such huge problems as child marriage and discrimination against women.
Nepotism is undeniable and can be found all over the world. Along with that there are people who acknowledge your efforts and energy. I always tell people to give 200% instead of 100% as if you want to be recognized and break nepotism, you have to move forward. When you want to see the changes happen, you have to put maximum of your efforts daily as your hard work is above everything. In Pakistan there is almost no concept of internship and volunteering. Obviously, the cause of it is that there are predominantly middle class families. What they look for are opportunities with payment that can cover their day to day expenses. For that reason, the youth and adolescents are not very keen on volunteering and internship.
Pakistan has many talents, but the main problem relates to acknowledgement.
Our government doesn't concentrate on such parts, where the youth excel. There are brilliant minds with magnificent innovations, who receive no support and remain unnoticed.
- Delegation from Pakistan is my favorite because you are amazing. I enjoyed watching the national costumes and dances. Speaking about Pakistan traditions is it obligatory to wear a hijab in Pakistan?
There is such a tradition, but it is everyone’s choice. Some follow that, others do not. For example, I don’t like to wear burka, so I don’t. It’s common to see women in jeans or shirts in Pakistan. The only taboo is to show the private parts of your body.
As for traditions, I really like all the traditional events of Pakistan. It’s not only very colorful and fun but diverse as well because there are many cultures in Pakistan, local customs fascinate me. There are four provinces in Pakistan and each of them has its own unique culture and way of living. It’s very amazing to see such diversity in one country.
- What are the three most important things to do in Pakistan as a tourist?
You can go literally everywhere. Lately, several video bloggers have visited Pakistan. They have gone to many different places and were warmly welcomed. Pakistan is an open to tourists country and local people would like to help you to explore their motherland. While travelling in Pakistan you have to taste the local food. Wherever you go, try food because it’s unique. In addition, the best option would be to rent a car because the public transport system is not in the best condition.
- What people has influenced you the most?
Parents are my main inspiration but apart from them it is Edhi*. He was a Pakistani humanitarian, who was helping people throughout his whole life. Many orphanages and hospitals were opened, thanks to him. Day and night he was collecting money to help orphans. Once upon a time, he encountered a dead body of a toddler, who was thrown away by his parents. No one cared about that, but Edhi picked him up and buried according to all the necessary rituals. From that moment he started putting baby swings in front of orphanages so that parents would leave their kids there instead of killing them. Not so long ago he died, and I haven’t met with him even though I wholeheartedly wanted to, which left an empty part in my soul. I think that his whole life is a huge example for everyone.
- How do you feel about Russia?
It’s very beautiful and the scenery is so similar to Pakistan. Obviously, there is a difference of culture, but people are helpful and welcoming.
I genuinely like Russian people have the freedom of living a life in their own way here. The overall experience is very pleasant.
*United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Fund for Population Activities
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
United Nations Volunteers
Abdus Sattar Edhi or Edhi - was a Pakistani humanitarian, philanthropist and ascetic
The original interview in English
The organisation in which Samia works - School of Leadership Foundation
Interview: Ekaterina Kozlova
Layout: Angelina Vinogradova
Cover page: Angelina Klimova
Editor: Ekaterina Kozlova, Alexander Sabantsev
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