Kalsoom Niaz Baloch

Aurat Foundation has played a pivotal role in shaping my professional journey and equipping me with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate effectively for women’s empowerment and development in Balochistan. My association with the foundation provided a strong platform to engage in significant initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and political participation for women, particularly in marginalized and remote areas of the province. Through various projects, I gained invaluable experience in political education, gender-focused policy analysis, and community participation core elements that have strengthened my commitment to creating inclusive and gender-responsive governance structures.

Aurat Foundation has been instrumental in mitigating gender discrimination by encouraging women to pursue education and engage equally in all sectors of life. In Balochistan, women in remote and underserved areas face many challenges including early childhood marriages, domestic inequality, and harmful traditional practices such as karokari. These issues represent severe violations of human rights, yet they often go unreported. Aurat Foundation has consistently worked to raise awareness about these issues, documenting cases and voicing concerns at both local and national forums. Their work in lobbying for increased reserved seats for women in political bodies and empowering citizens’ campaigns for women’s representation has had a lasting impact on policy and public discourse. Personally, Aurat Foundation’s work has been a source of inspiration and education. Their commitment to integrating gender considerations into public services and promoting the use of sex-disaggregated data in planning and implementation has profoundly influenced my perspective. As a member of the Provincial Assembly, I actively support the foundation’s work that protect and uplift the women of Balochistan.