Human rights activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch and renowned singer Hadiqa Kiani have been featured in the BBC’s 100 Women 2024, a list celebrating inspiring and influential women worldwide. Released by the British broadcaster as the year nears its close, the list highlights resilience and advocacy in the face of global challenges.
Other notable figures on the list include astronaut Sunita Williams, actress Sharon Stone, rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, Olympic athletes Rebeca Andrade and Allyson Felix, and climate activist Adenike Oladosu.
Why Mahrang Baloch and Hadiqa Kiani Were Selected?
Mahrang Baloch
Dr. Mahrang Baloch became a prominent activist after her father was allegedly abducted in 2009 and later found dead in 2011, showing signs of torture.
In late 2023, she led a 1,000-mile (1,600-km) march to Islamabad, joined by hundreds of women, to demand answers about the disappearance of their loved ones. Despite being arrested twice during the journey, Baloch persisted in her quest for justice.
She now leads the Baloch Yakjehti (Unity) Committee (BYC), a human rights organization advocating for the missing persons in Pakistan. Her work earned her recognition in the TIME100 Next 2024 list of emerging leaders.
Hadiqa Kiani
Hadiqa Kiani, a trailblazer in South Asia’s pop music scene since the 1990s and a UN Development Programme goodwill ambassador, is celebrated for her humanitarian efforts.
Following the catastrophic 2022 floods in Pakistan, Kiani launched the Vaseela-e-Raah project, focusing on rehabilitating victims in Balochistan and South Punjab.
Through public support, the initiative built 370 homes and other facilities for displaced families, addressing critical needs in flood-affected regions.
Celebrating Resilience and Change
The BBC’s 100 Women list for 2024 acknowledges the significant challenges faced by women globally, spotlighting those who exemplify resilience and work tirelessly to drive change.
Mahrang Baloch and Hadiqa Kiani’s inclusion highlights their extraordinary contributions to human rights and humanitarian causes, inspiring others around the world.
No wonder Ms.Baloch makes Name in TIME & now BBC while sponsoring terroristic & radical remarks against Pakistan & fueling terrorism in Balochistan.