Chandni Joshi

Chandni Joshi

‘Enforcer’ HomeNet South Asia, Former Regional Director of United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), South Asia
It all bagan in 1990. Hariyali Conference was the turning point, when I first met Nigar.

I feel deeply privileged to share my journey and experiences with Aurat Foundation in Pakistan. It all began in 1990 when I first met Nigar Ahmad, while she was authoring a paper for UNIFEM South Asia. What started as a professional connection blossomed into a lifelong friendship! Our collaboration began during preparations for the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. While we had partners across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh for the Peasant Women’s Summits, Pakistan posed a challenge – until I approached Nigar. Despite being rooted in research and academia, she embraced the idea of grassroots engagement with enthusiasm and vision.

Our first joint success was the historic Hariyali Conference, where 500 peasant women from across Pakistan gathered – a first of its kind. Against the odds, including cultural barriers and logistical constraints, Aurat Foundation ensured the event’s success. They built infrastructure, managed logistics, and created a safe space for women to share their stories. It was a turning point, still remembered today. This collaboration extended to many more landmark initiatives like the radio programme, women’s political empowerment, 1998 Gender-Sensitive Census, where Aurat Foundation played a critical role in preparing women respondents – setting a South Asian benchmark. Our partnership deepened through initiatives like HomeNet Pakistan, with Nigar leading efforts for home-based workers’ rights and legislative progress. I also had the opportunity to work with Nigar’s powerful team including Shaila Zia, Shahnaz Ahmad, Misbah, Uzma and others.

In 2017, I had the honour of attending a heartfelt reunion in Lahore, where we reflected on our shared journey. Though Nigar is no longer with us, her legacy endures. Aurat Foundation remains a beacon of hope and leadership in South Asia. Congratulations on 40 years – your journey is an inspiration to all.