Khawar Mumtaz

Khawar Mumtaz is a Pakistani women’s rights activist and the Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women. She is also Chair of the Senate of Karakoram International University, Pakistan, and the former CEO of the women’s rights NGO Shirkat Gah. In 1981, she was a founding member of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF), and has been associated with the women’s movement in Pakistan ever since. Mumtaz’s research, writing, and lecturing have focused on women and development, feminism, politics, the economic and environment challenges facing women, and sexual and reproductive health. In 1989, she received the Prime Minister’s award for the co-authored book Women of Pakistan: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back? and is recipient of the civil award Sitara e Imtiaz for promoting women’s rights. Mumtaz has a Master of Arts in International Relations and a diploma in French.