Khawar Mumtaz

Khawar Mumtaz is a Pakistani women's rights activist, feminist author, and university professor. She served as the Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) for three consecutive terms between 2013 and 2019.

Early life and education

Born on 29 June 1945, Mumtaz attended St. Joseph's Convent School in Karachi for her primary and secondary schooling. She later completed her higher secondary education at St. Joseph's College. After finishing her college studies, she enrolled at the University of Karachi to pursue higher education. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the institution, where she topped her examination class. Mumtaz also holds a diploma in the French language.

She once received an offer to study at the Sorbonne in Paris. Her early political awareness grew during the agitation against General Ayub Khan in the late 1960s.

Career

Mumtaz is a founder of the Women's Action Forum (WAF), which was established to reject regressive laws from the General Zia-ul-Haq regime. This organization sought to bring women's issues onto the political and legislative agenda while asserting equal rights in Pakistan. She initially worked as a university teacher, but she left her position in 1983 after being told to stop her activism. She later became one of three women appointed to coordinate Shirkat Gah, a development organization that focuses on research, training, and advocacy regarding women's law and reproductive health. Mumtaz served as both the Coordinator and the CEO at Shirkat Gah before she transitioned to the NCSW.

Her professional background includes 35 years of experience in journalism, teaching, and transnational advocacy. She specializes in areas such as women's political participation, poverty, and the environment. Mumtaz has authored over 60 publications that focus on feminism, politics, and sexual health. She has held several high-level positions on international boards, including serving as the vice-president of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. She also sits on the board of directors for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).

During her leadership at the NCSW, she managed various initiatives to implement women's rights. In July 2018, she collaborated with the Election Commission of Pakistan to establish an early warning system for low-turnout areas. She also oversaw the production of the Women's Economic Empowerment Status Report 2016 and the Rural Women Status Report 2018. Her work involved monitoring the 2013 and 2018 elections using a specific checklist to observe female participation. In November 2019, an agreement was signed with the Higher Education Commission to create a women's museum and public library in Islamabad.

Her tenure faced legal challenges in February 2018 when Dr. Farzana Bari filed a petition in court. The Islamabad High Court eventually set aside her appointment because the selection process by a seven-member committee fell outside the scope of the NCSW Act, 2012.

Personal life

Mumtaz is married to Kamil Khan Mumtaz, who works as an architect. They have three children, including two sons and a daughter named Samiya Mumtaz. Samiya Mumtaz is a prominent actress. Her family history includes her great-aunt, Ismat Chughtai, who was a famous Urdu novelist and filmmaker.