Begum Akhtar Riazuddin

Begum Akhtar Riazuddin is a Pakistani feminist activist and the first modern Urdu-travelogue writer. She dedicated her life to women's uplift through various social welfare organizations and government roles.

Early life and education

Akhtar Jahan Begum was born in Calcutta on 15 October 1928. She pursued her higher education at Kinnaird College in Lahore, where she graduated in 1949. After completing her undergraduate studies, she earned an MA in English from Government College, Lahore, in 1951.

She began her professional journey as a teacher. From 1952 to 1965, she served as a lecturer at Islamia College for Women, Lahore.

Career

Riazuddin established herself as a pioneer in Urdu literature through her travelogues. She published 'Sat Samundar Par' in 1963 and followed it with 'Dhanak Par Qadam' in 1969. Her writing style is informal, using unique similes and satirical comments to explore human mentality and society.

Beyond literature, she focused heavily on feminist activism and social welfare. In 1967, she founded the Behbud Association of Pakistan to empower women in underprivileged areas. This organization eventually expanded to include branches in Lahore and Karachi. She also served as an adviser to the National Craft Council during the mid-1980s.

Her administrative experience includes serving as the federal secretary of the Ministry of Women's Development in the late 1980s. After Benazir Bhutto became prime minister in 1988, Riazuddin expressed optimism that women would no longer face the hardships experienced during the previous 11 years. She attended international forums to advocate for gender equality, including the 32nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in Vienna in March 1988.

Riazuddin held several other notable positions throughout her life. She was a member of the All Pakistan Music Conference Committee from 1957 to 1965 and participated in the First All Pakistan Handicrafts Exhibition in Lahore in 1965. Additionally, the Prime Minister of Pakistan nominated her to the board of governors of the Bait-ul-Mal.

Her published works include 'Pakistan', which Stacey International released in London in 1975. She also authored 'A History of Crafts in India and Pakistan', a book launched in Pakistan in 1990 and in London in 1991. Her academic interests extended to her thesis, titled The Contribution of Islamic Civilisation to India & Pakistan.

Personal life

She married Mian Riazuddin Ahmed, a senior civil servant, and became known as Begum Riazuddin. Through her husband, she was related to the Urdu writer Salahuddin Ahmed, as well as Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Asma Jahangir. Their daughter, Nigar Ahmed, serves as the chairperson of the human rights NGO Aurat Foundation.

Riazuddin passed away in Karachi on 11 January 2023 at the age of 94.

Awards and recognition

The Pakistan Writers' Guild presented her with the Adamjee Literary Award in March 1970 for her work 'Dhanak Par Qadam'. In March 2000, the president of Pakistan conferred the Sitara-e-Imtiaz upon her for her voluntary social service. She later received a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' from the Ministry of Women's Development in August 2005.

In 2005, she was included in a group of 1,000 women nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the 1000 PeaceWomen project.