How Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan helped empower Pakistani women

If one thought Pakistani women didn't fight for equality and empowerment during the early years of Partition, history will prove them wrong.

In 1949, Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan formed the All Pakistan Women's Association in hope of helping Pakistani women "emerge free from all her shackles," and empowering them in all aspects of life.

Chairperson APWA projects, Meher Kirmani speaks about the contribution of Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan, wife of Pakistan's first prime minster.

"She gathered all her partners and they formed APWA in February, 1949," she said. "Right from the beginning, volunteers used to work for the institution."

Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan was one of the leading female figures in the Pakistan Movement along with her husband Liaquat Ali Khan. She passed away in 1990.

This article is part of a week-long series on Partition and the early years of Pakistan, run collaboratively by Images and The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP).

CAP is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultural and historic preservation. It seeks to educate the community, foster an awareness of our nation’s history and instill pride in Pakistani citizens about their heritage.