Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
In the third grade, Krishna Kumari Kohli was held captive in a private jail with her family for three years in rural Sindh. At 16, she was married. Ms Kohli became the first Hindu Dalit woman to be elected to the Senate. Also known as Kishoo Bai, Ms Kohli was elected on a reserved seat on a PPP ticket. Prior to becoming a senator, she was an activist in a village in Nagarparkar.
Dawn caught up with her in Islamabad and talked about her struggle for her rights of the people of Tharparkar.
Q: How were you able to continue your studies after you were married?
A: My husband, Lal Chand, was 19 at the time of our marriage and he too was studying in Hyderabad, and my in-laws also supported girls’ education.
It so happened that my sister-in-law was a doctor in a community of two million, so I had all the support. The only issue was that I moved into a joint family, so in addition to my studies I had to take care of my ailing in-laws and do other household work as well. My biggest issue was time management; my home was in Mirpurkhas and my college in Hyderabad.
Q: You have worked on various social and community issues as an activist. How do you see yourself bringing a change sitting in the Senate?
A: My brother Veerji Kohli is a licensed lawyer and has been fighting cases of bonded labour, rape, domestic violence and other social community-based issues. He has been implicated in many false cases by the feudals of our area, but nothing has stopped him or me from continuing our struggle.
We work together, and I will act as a bridge between his struggle for the people of Tharparkar and the Senate. I have worked with my family in the lands of village landlords, I have been a victim of bonded labour, I have seen minor girls raped and marginalised communities in our area suffer the wrath of feudal lords – not to mention forced conversions of minorities in Sindh. So my agenda is very focused for my term in Senate.
Q: What inspired you to become a voice of your community and rise against feudalism, knowing the consequences?
A: My brother and I attended the Mehergarh Youth Leadership Camp in 2007. Mehergarh is a centre for learning in the area of human rights in Pakistan. They organise annual camps to promote peace and harmony, which draw participants from across the country, from all religious and a range of backgrounds.
I am proud to say that it served as a catalyst. I am not the same person anymore. I made a commitment to myself that I have to speak, I have to rise and I have to deliver.
Q: What will be the first agenda you will introduce as senator?
A: The right to basic health and education for the women of Tharparkar. My first and foremost priority is health and education for the people of Thar, and in particular the women of Tharparkar.
Our area is deprived of basic education and health facilities. For ailing mothers and children, the only hope of survival is the Mithi District Hospital, approximately 150 kilometres away.
The lack of dispensaries, basic health units and meagre supply of emergency medicines result in deaths of newborns and their malnourished expectant mothers. Pre-birth deaths, lack of hospital facilities, medical centres and schools for girls’ education are nonexistent in Thar. We have to travel miles and miles.
Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2018
Comments (21) Closed
She has all the correct credentials now it’s time for her to prove herself. Let’s see what metal she is made off.
Hang the print of your commitments on office wall, please keep promise otherwise many came,, claimes but gone silently
Senator please go ahead with your programs which, we feel, you can do better than most of the politicians. We are with you. We see you as a great fighter.
Lets see how she can solve the issues of health & education, which are gifted by his own party PPP in its 30 years of rule in Sindh
Senate is top legislative body and members are supposed to make polices in accordance of constitution. At that top level you can raise issues and point out it. I think member keep in their mind that they are not Councillors or commisioners of their areas but they represent the whole country in making laws.
I agree, education, health care, having clean water and shelter are the basic necessities for all people, and should be the top priority for all politicans. Good luck Kirisna Kumari Kholi?
All the best - WELL DONE PAKISTAN
Thank you senator ...hopefully she will be the role model for the poor !
All the best. Please frequently visit thar area to update yourself on the ground realities.
Wishing you achieve all your goals you set forth for your people and I am sure you will be successful because you have a deep desire and dedication for your community. I can help you in the Health section. Our company can also donate many hospital related equipment for your area. Just write me your needs so we could help you accordingly. Best of luck.
Thar is a very deprived region of Pakistan just like some other. Please, do something for the people of Thar. Our silent support will always be with you.
In some ways Pakistan is moving in the right direction. Also thanks to Dawn for not giving up the fight, and keeping these people's plight in front of the public.
Congratulations Ma'm from across the border (India). May you achieve all ur goals and ambitions. Do your best and Good will take care of the rest.
Wish her all success in transforming the society !
Pakistan need many like her !
Well done Paikstan !
What about Thari men?
Proud of you Miss Kohli. I hope you work hard for the betterment of your area as well as for your country.
A good beginning... now keep the momentum. I hope the press does not lose sight of this important region and women.
Looks like people have lots of hope. That’s good for a change.
First of all spread awareness in your own community regarding getting education,stopping all drug etc addiction,controlling malnutrition,having small family n avoiding trap of bonded labour.force parents of your community to send girls to schools.jail those parents who refuse to send their kids to school.
Kishoo Bai's efforts to improve her economic and social disadvantage despots difficulties are commendable. She has achieved the status of a senator in Pakistan's parliament lacking a privileged background against incredible odds that multitudes of Pakistani rural women face. Are there any other Pakistani senators who can claim to have come so far from a humble state through one's own sheer determination and hard work? She has made women and child's health an welfare her priority which is the need of the hour in Pakistan.
Great ! Now a minority elected on a open (non-reserved) seat.