Born: 1972 (Meerwala, Muzaffargarh District, Punjab, Pakistan)
Biography:
Mukhtar Mai is a Pakistani human rights activist who gained international recognition for her courage and resilience in the face of extreme adversity. She was born in the village of Meerwala, located in the rural tehsil of Jatoi in the Muzaffargarh District of Punjab, Pakistan, around 1972.
In June 2002, Mukhtar Mai became the victim of a horrific crime, as she was gang-raped by men from the local Mastoi Baloch clan. This act of violence was sanctioned by a tribal council as a form of honour revenge due to a dispute between the wealthier Mastoi Baloch and Mukhtar Mai’s Tatla clan. It is worth noting that, according to local custom, she was expected to commit suicide after such a traumatic incident. However, Mukhtar Mai chose to defy these expectations and instead spoke out against her rapists.
Her pursuit of justice gained the attention of both domestic and international media. On September 1, 2002, an anti-terrorism court sentenced six men, including the four rapists, to death for rape. Unfortunately, in 2005, the Lahore High Court acquitted five of the six convicted rapists, citing insufficient evidence. The punishment of the sixth man was commuted to a life sentence. This verdict led Mukhtar Mai and the government to appeal the decision.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan suspended the acquittal and held hearings for an appeal. In 2011, the Supreme Court ultimately acquitted all the accused. Throughout this long legal battle, Mukhtar Mai’s safety and the safety of her family and friends remained in jeopardy. Despite this, she has remained a tireless advocate for women’s rights in Pakistan and beyond.
In response to the challenges she faced, Mukhtar Mai established the Mukhtar Mai Women’s Welfare Organization. The organization aims to provide support and education to women in rural areas throughout Pakistan. Through this organization, she has brought attention to the issues faced by women in her country and has actively worked towards improving their lives.
Mukhtar Mai’s bravery and determination have garnered international recognition. In April 2007, she was awarded the North-South Prize from the Council of Europe. In 2005, Glamour Magazine named her Woman of the Year. Her autobiography became a bestseller in France, and movies have been made about her extraordinary life. She has received praise and support from dignitaries such as Laura Bush and the French foreign minister.
However, despite these accolades, Mukhtar Mai continues to live in fear for her life due to threats from the Pakistani government and local feudal lords. Former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, admitted on his personal blog that he imposed restrictions on her movement in 2005 out of fear that her work and the attention it received would harm Pakistan’s international image.
Mukhtar Mai’s story serves as a reminder of the injustices faced by women globally and the ongoing struggle for equality. Her strength, resilience, and dedication to fighting for women’s rights make her an inspiration and an important figure in women’s history.