Ali Begum is shattering stereotypes in more ways than one.
It's not often that you see a woman contesting for a seat in the National Assembly from the remote and male-dominated erst-while tribal region of Kurram. Also unusual is for Pakistani citizens to return to serve their homeland after moving to and settling in a foreign country like the United States.
But 69-year-old Ali Begum has proudly done both and is now contesting for a seat from Upper Kurram's NA-46 constituency. Her competition: 23 male contenders. But that doesn't deter her one bit.
“I have good reputation and worked for the area. A woman is contesting elections against 23 males, but success will be mine,” says Ali Begum.
Ali Begum is hopeful that the 168,868 voters in the constituency ─ including 72,842 women ─ will vote for her and send the area's first female representative to the National Assembly.
Read more about the inspiration that is Begum Ali here.
