Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) in collaboration with the U.S. Mission in Pakistan, alumni community and sectoral experts has initiated a virtual series of sessions titled ‘PUAN Talks’ by keeping in view the interests of wider audiences. Under its series of #PUANTalks, PUAN conducted a virtual session titled, “In Conversation with Asia Jamil-The Author of ‘A Prince Who Destroyed My Life” on Tuesday, September 17, 2020 at 04:00 PM via Facebook live.

Guest of the session was Asia Jamil (Eiman). Asia has authored three books; two for children and one for adults on multifaceted burning issues related to gender disparities, exclusion and stereotypical gender-roles. She is one of the top-10 finalists for Women Building Peace Award 2020 around the globe, for her extensive work in multi sectors. She has practical experience integrating inclusivity in promoting peace and she adopts innovative and creative approaches. These include working with teachers and students from USA & Pakistan to rewrite fairy tales in which characters challenge harmful gender stereotypes for girls and boys. Her recent book “A Prince Who Destroyed My Life” is a book of identifying some of the structural and ideological obstacles to gender equality in Pakistan through story of a minor girl who is wedded off at the tender age of 13. Through her book she has highlighted issues of early childhood marriages, gender-biased abortion, incest, body-shaming, relinquishment of trans-sexual child at birth for adoption, the challenging position of transgender in her society and deep-rooted patriarchy through unconscious tendency towards benevolent sexism.

Moderator of the session was Phillip Assis. Philip is the Deputy Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.

Watch out the video to learn what motivated Asia Jamil (Eiman) to write this book and how has she been working towards women empowerment through her writings and community services.