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SHEHLA RIZWAN

Introduction

Shehla Rizwan is a notable television host, producer, writer, and development sector professional. She is known for her contributions to the media for highlighting social issues such as girls' education, female empowerment, and gender equality in Pakistan. Shehla Rizwan believes that the societal pressures on women in Pakistan are unrealistic and this can only change when everyone — both men and women — works together towards righting this balance. Men must step up to the task and work alongside women as equal and equitable partners, and women must continue to push for the same. We all have a collective responsibility to break the bias, every day, at home, in our communities, schools, universities, and the workplace.

Early Life and Education

Shehla Rizwan was born in Gujrat on Feburary 8. She has a master's degree in Public and Business Administration with majors in marketing and mass communications. She also has a diploma in filmmaking from the New York Film Academy (NYFA).

Career

Shehla Rizwan began her television career as an actor in the comedy TV show Sargam Times in 1994. In 1997, she joined Pakistan Television (PTV) as a morning transmission TV show host/ Anchor for the first ever morning transmission in Pakistan's history titled 'Roshan Pakistan.' Over the years, she hosted many television shows, including:

•	Roshan Pakistan (1997): Became one of the young anchors/morning show hosts for Pakistan's first ever morning live transmission.

•	PTV World (1998): One of the pioneer hosts for the PTV World's nighttime live transmission.

•	 News Morning (2004-2007): Co-anchored PTV's current affairs morning live transmission.

•	''' Kashmir Magazine (2004-2007:) Hosted the weekly show about Kashmir news updates.

•	 Dateline Pakistan (2007-2012): Joined PTV News live show as the lead anchor, interviewing prominent politicians and renowned personalities.

Other shows:

•	'Significant Live and Marathon Transmissions: Contributed to major events such as Kashmir Day, Women’s Day, Independence Day, Pakistan Day, PTV awards, earthquake coverage, election transmissions, etc.

•	Sar-e-Rah (2023): Designed, conceptualized and produced the acclaimed drama series that challenged societal norms and promoted gender equality, reaching millions of viewers and sparking conversations about inclusivity.

 Development Sector Professional

Shehla Rizwan is a development sector professional with over twenty-seven years of experience providing strategic marketing and communications services to public and private sector organizations. Her work includes:

•	Strategic Marketing and Communications: Shehla's career includes working with public sector organizations such as the Planning Commission, Higher Education Commission, and National Commission for Human Development; donor agencies such as USAID, World Bank, UNDP, JICA, and INGOs such as CARE International, MEDA, and World Vision.

•	International Media Campaigns: Designed and led multiple international media campaigns related to girls and female empowerment, such as for Care International, the UN’s Sixteen Days of Activism, and International Women’s Day.

•	Let Girls Learn Initiative (2016): Contributed to Michelle Obama's international initiative by designing a media and communication plan highlighting the basic education rights of Pakistani girls. Produced a video featured during the launch in Washington, attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and hosted by U.S. President Obama. The video was later featured on the White House website.

•	Mentorship and Coaching: Mentored and coached Pakistani girls to present at the UN General Assembly and talk about education for girls.

•	Research and Advocacy: Author of two research papers published in the International Journal “Change in Climate” and presented at the conference organized by Australian Technology Network Women's Executive Development WEXDEV, Australia (April 2006).

Major Works and Contributions

Rizwan is best known for her work in television hosting and drama production. She has been instrumental in raising awareness about education, health, the economy, and gender equality through her hosting and writing. Her major works include:

•	 Sar-e-Rah (2023): A drama series that challenged societal norms and promoted gender equality.

•	 Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Campaigns: Created many BCC campaigns to highlight Water, Youth, Entrepreneurship, Jobs, Basic Education and Health issues.

Awards and Recognitions

Throughout her career, Shehla Rizwan has received numerous awards and honors, including:

•	USAID’s Professional Foreign Service National of the Year Award- 2017

•	US Embassy Eagle Award: For outstanding work promoting the First Lady of the United States Let Girls Learn initiative at the United Nations General Assembly proceedings in New York in September 2016.

•	US Embassy Superior Honor Award: For leading Pakistan's media & outreach efforts.

Personal Life

Shehla Rizwan currently resides with her family in Islamabad. Outside of her professional work, she is a writer, painter, and art lover. At 16, she published her publication, Youth Tone, a popular publication among high school and college students in Gujrat. Shehla's mother, ShaherBano, was a renowned psychologist/ university professor and author of thirty-plus psychology-related books. Her father, Mohammad Yousaf Qureshi, known as MYQ, was a professor and renowned Urdu and English journalist/ newspaper columnist associated with Nawa-i-Waqt and The Nation. Her uncle, Muneer Ahmed Qureshi Munnu Bhai, is a renowned Pakistani newspaper journalist, columnist, poet, and writer. He was awarded the Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2007 for his services to the nation.

References

•	Bringing Up A Emotional Roller Coaster Ride, 'Sar-e-Rah' Hones In On The Social Media Trails Of Society, UrduPoint, February 20, 2023

•	Media plays key role in bringing positive change in society, APP, March 20, 2023

•	 A journey of empowerment and gender equity, by Mahroo Sajid, Pakistan Observer, April 5, 2023.

•	Emancipation on screen, by Ubaid Afzal, TNS (The News on Sunday), May 7, 2023

•	 The FSN Advocacy Council has been representing USAID’s global FSN employees since 2005: by Safia Al-Saad, Afsa.org, 2017

External Links

•	Shehla Rizwan at IMDb

•	Sar e Rah at Wikipedia

•	Munnu Bhai at Wikipedia