Zubeida Ahmed

Pioneering Pakistani journalist who broke barriers for women in media and social reform

Zubeida Ahmed (1930-2018) was a trailblazing journalist and social activist from Pakistan who made groundbreaking contributions to media and gender equality. Born in Lahore during the British Raj, she defied societal norms by pursuing journalism in a male-dominated field. In 1953, she became the first female newsreader in Pakistan, breaking the glass ceiling for women in broadcast media. Her work at Dawn newspaper and Radio Pakistan during the 1950s-70s covered critical issues like education reform, women's rights, and healthcare access. She pioneered investigative reporting on topics like child marriage and female literacy, creating over 100 educational radio programs that reached rural communities. In 1968 she co-founded the Pakistan Women's Association, advocating for legal reforms to protect women's rights. Her 1972 book Women's Status in Pakistan remains a seminal work. Later in life, she established the Shirkat Gah Women's Resource Centre (1980), which continues her work today. Her legacy is honored through the Zubeida Ahmed Award for Women Journalists, and her archives are preserved at the Lahore Museum. As a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador (1997-2002), she influenced global policies on women's empowerment. Her story is featured in BBC's South Asia Voices series, and her life is documented in the 2019 documentary Zubeida: A Voice for Change.