German newspaper Taz has featured two Pakistani women from Lahore, Fauzia Yazdani and Mehr F. Husain, in its International Women’s Day editorial series highlighting inspiring feminist voices and changemakers from across the globe.
Whole series here
The series, published as part of Taz’s special International Women’s Day coverage, spotlights women whose work is shaping conversations around gender equality, democracy, sustainability, and social justice.
Fauzia Yazdani, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s leading governance and gender experts, was recognized for her work at the intersection of public policy, democratic governance, and women’s rights. With more than three decades of experience advising governments and international organizations on governance reform and local government systems, Yazdani has built a strong reputation as a policy analyst and development practitioner.
She is the only female electoral expert in Pakistan that has worked on 5 consecutive electoral cycles in Pakistan and linked electoral-political reform processes. She has worked in Bangladesh, Nigeria, and the region of Arab States on engendered electoral processes, local governance, and women's political participation.
A prominent advocate for gender equality in Pakistan, Yazdani has been at the forefront of highlighting the growing challenge of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), drawing attention to how digital platforms are increasingly used to silence and intimidate women in public life. She also authored Pakistan’s first data-anchored political economy analysis on child marriages and health consequences at the national and provincial levels.
Through her research, writing, and policy advocacy, she has called for stronger legal and regulatory frameworks to address the digital dimension of gender-based violence and protect women participating in media, politics, and civil society. She has worked with the UNDP resilience hub in Nairobi to design the rollout of the resilience strategic offer in the African continent.
Beyond her policy work, Yazdani has played an influential role in Pakistan’s independent media landscape as part of the founding team of the digital platform Naya Daur, which was established to provide progressive, bilingual journalism and analysis for audiences in Pakistan and the diaspora. She has also contributed extensively as a writer and commentator to The Friday Times, including exclusive coverage and political analysis around Pakistan’s recent electoral cycles, helping bring governance and democratic accountability issues into public debate.
The Taz feature also highlights Mehr F. Husain, a Pakistani journalist, author, and publisher whose work bridges sustainability, cultural preservation, and literature. Husain is the founder of Zuka Books, an independent publishing house established to support creative freedom, amplify diverse voices, and promote sustainable publishing practices in Pakistan.
Through Zuka Books and her broader cultural initiatives, Husain has championed literature that explores issues such as identity, gender, mental health, and cultural history, while also advocating for ethical and environmentally responsible publishing models. Her work has helped create space for new writers and underrepresented narratives within Pakistan’s literary ecosystem.
Recently appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), Husain joins a global network of innovators and thought leaders working to address social and cultural challenges through creativity and collaboration. The fellowship recognizes individuals whose work contributes to positive social impact and cultural advancement.
The inclusion of Yazdani and Husain in Taz’s International Women’s Day coverage places Pakistan among a diverse set of countries represented in the series, which highlights activists, thinkers, and cultural leaders advancing feminist solidarity and social transformation worldwide.
International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8, recognizes the achievements of women worldwide while also drawing attention to the ongoing struggle for gender equality. By spotlighting voices from different regions, taz seeks to strengthen global networks of feminist dialogue and bring international attention to the individuals shaping a more equitable future.
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Berlin, the Taz is one of Germany’s leading independent newspapers. Die Tageszeitung (stylized as die tageszeitung and commonly referred to as Taz) literally translates to "the daily newspaper" in English. Known for its cooperative ownership model and progressive editorial stance, the publication covers politics, culture, and global social issues with a strong emphasis on human rights, democracy, and social justice.