At age 7, I was taking food to my father, who was imprisoned for voicing his objection to political oppression. I had no childhood, no Barbies. At 17 I became student leader and general secretary of my college student union, leading marches with other women, protesting against social and political oppression. I had to leave our city or be placed in jail. My mother was in tears. Although I felt bad for my mother, I was determined.
-Rehana Hashmi, 2013 Woman PeaceMaker, Development Professional, Human Rights Defender, Islamabad, Pakistan
