WWSF 2008 Prizewinner for Women's Creativity in Rural Lives. The region of Dir (Northwest frontier province of Pakistan) is probably one of the most conservative regions in the world concerning attitudes towards women. Talibanization of society has been progressing in recent years. Major efforts have been made by local clerics to get the Sharia law enforced, and one of their leaders claimed that if this did not succeed through the courts, they would win in the streets. “Honor killings” are on the rise. Women are considered secondary citizens of society and men take all decisions concerning the family and society. Domestic violence and child marriages are frequent. Women have no share in inheritance or family property … and the list of discriminations continues. It is in this context where women’s political participation is considered an insult to Pashtun customs and Islam that Shad Begum (29), whose liberal father active in a progressive NGO, founded at the age of 15 a women’s organization and started actively advocating women’s rights! At 22, despite threats to her life, aggressive opposition and smear campaigns calling her a conspirator, she managed thanks to her integrity, her reputation for efficiency and unflinching determination to get elected councillor in the local government on an independent ticket. Only four years later, thanks in great part to her efforts, 127 women were elected at local and district level. Presently she heads the first registered NGO in Dir, Anjuman Behbood-e-Khawateen (ABKT). It is involved in activities for men and women, micro-credit, primary education for girls (one of the most urgent and important activities), health services education and women capacity building.

Thanks to her impact, ten women’s organizations have also been formed in the district. There is a women’s resource center at the district level, and more than 1000 girls have received education through informal schools set up by her NGO, ABKT. Nothing seems to stop this incredibly courageous fighter for women’s rights.