Muslim Women: Past and Present

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Throughout the ages, from the earliest days of Islam to contemporary times today, Muslim women have been and continue to be active leaders in their communities and countries across the world. This directory is a growing archive of leading Muslim women scholars, activists, writers, politicians, artists, religious and spiritual leaders, civil society leaders and more. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting Muslim women to be featured through our recommendation form.

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Nafis Sadik

Women have special needs in conflict and post-conflict situations; they have a stake and a contribution to make in peacemaking and peace-building; and they are essential agents in longer-term development.

—Nafis Sadik, Statement by Dr. Nafis Sadik at a panel discussion for International Women’s Day, “Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future,” 8 March 2005  

photo of Nafis Sadik

Known For: Special Advisor to UN Secretary General
Country: Pakistan

About

Nafis Sadik was born in Jaunpur India to parents, Iffat Ara and Mohammad Shoaib. She was the first woman to head one of the United Nations major voluntarily-funded programmes and has made significant contributions to improving the health of women and children. Fom 1987 to 2000, Sadik served as Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the rank of Under-Secretary-General from 1987 through 2000.

Sadik received a Doctor of Medicine degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi and has been the recipient of several honorary degrees from universities such as Brown, Duke, and Johns Hopkins. Her work as a doctor in Pakistani military hospitals shaped the rest of her professional career. She then went on to work in the health section of the Pakistani government’s Planning Commission where she held a major role in the development of the country’s first population policy. 

In 1971, she joined UNFPA in several different capacities. In 1994, the Secretary General appointed Dr. Sadik as Secretary-General of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
In addition to her work with UNFPA, she is a member of the Board of Governors of the Foundation for Human Development and a member of the South Asian Commission on the Asian Challenge. Dr. Sadik was the President of the Society for International Development (SID) for the period 1994-1997.

Sadik has written several articles and edited many books, including Population: The UNFPA Experience (1984), Population Policies and Programmes: Lessons Learned from Two Decades of Experience (1991) and Making a Difference: Twenty-five years of UNFPA Experience (1994).

Sources

United Nations, “Press Release: Secretary-General Appoints Nafis Sadik of Pakistan as His Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia”

United Nations, “Biography of Dr. Nafis Sadik”

Laila Kazmi, “Dr. Nafis Sadik”, Jazbah Magazine Women of Pakistan, 2008

Videos

“Women in Conflict – Dr. Nafis Sadik”

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This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women chronologically by the Common Era century. We are actively building the archive of Muslim women leaders from the past, as well as from today, and we would welcome your recommendations of women to feature. Please complete our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.
This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women by their Country. We are actively building the archive of Muslim women leaders from the past, as well as from today, and we would welcome your recommendations of women to feature. Please complete our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.
This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women leaders by entering the keyword(s) of your choice. If you cannot find a particular woman that you are looking for, please let us know by completing our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.