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By Shamreeza Baloch
On March 8th, International Women’s Day, we celebrate women’s extraordinary strength and resilience in Balochistan, a region facing immense challenges. Amidst widespread suffering and the ongoing crisis of disappearances, a powerful wave of women’s leadership is emerging, offering a beacon of hope and a testament to their unwavering spirit.
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The pain of enforced disappearance is a defining reality for many women in Balochistan. The first documented case in Balochistan was the disappearance of Zarina Marri on November 10th, 2005. Zarina Marri, a mother, teacher, and remarkable woman, disappeared along with her minor son, Murad, and their whereabouts remain unknown. Mothers like Zakir Majeed’s mother, whose son disappeared on June 8th, 2009, a date also known as Baloch Missing Persons’ Day, and Rashid Hussain’s mother, who has searched for her son for seven years, have spent years tirelessly seeking their missing sons. These mothers, along with countless others, have become symbols of resistance, their tragedies fueling a larger justice movement. The absence of their loved ones marks their lives, a constant struggle for answers, and the quiet suffering that accompanies such profound loss.
These women serve as role models for the Baloch people. Farzana Majeed’s struggle for her brother, Zakir Majeed, and Zakir’s mother’s continued search for her son, exemplify this. While numerous international examples of women’s leadership exist, research on Baloch women’s leadership is severely lacking, contributing to the perception of lost leadership within the region.
These disappearances have a devastating impact on the mental and physical well-being of Baloch women. The emotional toll is immense, and the long-term effects of this trauma are yet to be fully understood. The human rights violations experienced by the Baloch community are also taking a severe toll on their physical health.
This International Women’s Day, we recognize these women’s extraordinary courage and resilience. Their leadership, born out of adversity, is a powerful force for change. Their unwavering commitment to justice and their tireless advocacy are inspiring a new generation of women leaders. Their suffering is fueling a movement, and the wave of women’s leadership in Balochistan grows stronger with each passing day. These women are not just victims; they are agents of change, paving the way for a better future.
The growing empowerment of women in Balochistan is evident in events like the Gwadar ‘Raaji Muchi’ demonstration, where a significant number of women gathered to protest disappearances. The large turnout, including many women participating for the first time, demonstrates a rising awareness of women’s rights and a determination to make their voices heard.
Baloch students, particularly young women, face a heart-wrenching dilemma: pursuing their education while searching for missing loved ones. Students like Rukhsana Dost, searching for her brother Azeem, and Mahzaib, searching for her uncle Rashid Hussain, exemplify the resilience of these young women. They persevere in their studies despite the immense emotional burden, demonstrating a powerful form of women’s empowerment.
Mehlab Wahid Kamber’s story offers another powerful example. Her father disappeared when she was nine years old. Her childhood was marked by joining protests and continuing the search for her father. Like so many Baloch daughters, she has faced unimaginable challenges, yet she has persevered, becoming an empowered woman who supports herself.
These stories from Balochistan resonate with global struggles for justice and equality. From the Madres de Plaza de Mayo in Argentina to women fighting for equality in various corners of the world, women have consistently been at the forefront of movements for social change. Like these global examples, the women of Balochistan, through their resilience and leadership, are not only fighting for their rights and the rights of their loved ones but also contributing to a larger global movement for justice and equality.
While precise figures regarding the number of disappearances and their impact on women are difficult to obtain due to the complex situation in Balochistan, the stories shared here represent a widespread reality. The women of Balochistan, facing immense challenges, are demonstrating extraordinary courage and resilience. On this International Women’s Day, we stand in solidarity with them and women everywhere who are striving for a better future. Their fight for justice, their unwavering spirit, and their growing leadership are a testament to the power of women to create change, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
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