User:Ann abbas/sandbox

Maliha Abbas Abidi is a Pakistani-American artist and author with a focus on women empowerment pieces of art and writing. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Abidi moved to San Diego, California at the age of fourteen where she had her first art exhibition. Abidi has not had any training in art or writing. At 21, she moved to the UK after getting married. She got admission in University and became Medical Neuroscience student while also professionally continuing her work as an artist. Abidi set up her art studio in England, and that is where the idea for her debut book “Pakistan for Women: Stories of women who have achieved something extraordinary” came into existence. She worked on the book for over a year where she researched stories of more than 100 women of Pakistan and narrowed it down to 50 names. After the initial list, she drew portraits of 50 women with the use of art supplies she got on discount because of being a part-time employee at an art store in Brighton, Uk. After the initial announcement on the 13th of January 2019, on 4th of March 2019, Abidi launched her book. It is the first book of its kind to be published in Pakistan as it brings together stories of real Pakistani women, from female astrophysicists to female educators to female firefighter, in a storytelling form. The book grabbed the attention of National and International media and was featured on the following platforms: BBC, NowThis Media, Malala Fund, Geo News, PTV Home, Hum News, Unearth Women, TRT World and more. With a focus on women empowerment, Abidi’s aim with this book is to change the perception of Pakistan which people around the world hold that women in Pakistan do not have any rights or are oppressed. Media also displays men in Pakistan are the problem, and they oppress women around them. She believes that like every country on earth, Pakistan has its problems, but these women in her book are trying to solve those problems through their own talents or whatever resources they have. In some cultures, some elders or parents discourage girls from getting an education or discourage girls from pursuing their passions. By displaying stories of these real Pakistani women, Abidi hopes to convince them to support their women and change the narrative. By the third year of her university, Abidi aims to start an organization with a focus on mental illness and creating a safe space for women to not only seek help but also to work on their mental health creatively. She aims to combine her knowledge of Neurosciences and her passion for art to create her organisation where women will explore the world of visual arts. Abidi believes everyone has a talent or a platform and we must all use that to give voices to those who need our help the most. Through this, we can build a stronger community, regardless of what background we belong to.