When we talk about ‘Exchange Programs’, there is never a shortage of extraordinary stories, and Anita Shah Lakyary is no exception. She is our alumna for the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program 2011 at the University of Maryland College Park. Anita has the privilege of being the first Humphrey Fellow from Pakistan to be recognized as an exemplary leader from entire South Asia by the United States for her struggle and hard work at the grassroots level from the platform of her NGO Trust for Rural Uplift, Culture and Environment (Truce) and because of her writings, public speaking and media work. She is an award-winning writer and was affiliated with John Kerry’s Political Action Committee as an intern in Washington DC.
Belonging from an extremely conservative family from a rural background, it was not easy for Anita to pursue her education. Infact, she was raised in an environment where there was a complete ban on girls’ education. However, she didn’t resign to fate. She kept struggling and overcame all obstacles to her education and the right to choose her destiny. With her hardwork and dedication, she completed her Bachelors of Law, Masters in Business Administration, and Masters in Sociology from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. She also earned a post-graduate diploma in Women Studies from the Institute of Women’s Studies, Lahore, Pakistan. She has excellent communication skills in English, Urdu, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Punjabi.
The way Anita rebelled against opposition which she faced in her aim to get education always stays in her mind. One of the reasons she loves to work for the noble cause of providing educational resources to everyone. She has also worked as a focal person for education, monitoring, and evaluation for Hyderabad District. She initiated a movement for restoring education at government schools. She mobilized hundreds of village communities and motivated and trained Head Teachers of 100 schools in the Hyderabad Division. To get rid of absentee teachers from the government schools, she wrote an article in Daily Dawn “Exorcising Ghosts”, which caused quite a stir at the governmental and non-governmental levels not only in Pakistan but in India and other South Asian countries also. Being a creative and driven journalist, Anita also remained affiliated with channels like DM Digital TV UK, VOA Washington DC, PTV and KTV.
There is so much more when it comes to the acknowledgement and work of Anita Shah Lakyary. She resides in Karachi with the notable work she has contributed in her field and she continues to inspire people with her intellectual and inspiring approach.
