Balquis Edhi , – for silently, humbly striving to take Edhi and it’s work forward.
Seema Aziz, – for her extraordinary entrepreneurial skills that saw Bareeze blossoming into a major brand and for establishing Care Foundation, a leading non-profit organization providing education to over 100,000 children in marginalized communities.
Noorjehan
– for being the larger than life music icon of Pakistan and for being the voice that charged the soldiers at war and brought lovers closer.
Samar Minallah Khan
– for her groundbreaking work in highlighting women’s issues through documentaries, particularly ‘Swara and Vanni’ where little girls are given as compensation to end disputes; and for being the voice that exposed Swat flogging case and courageously faced resistance, criticism and charges of faking the video.
Sania Saeed
– for being a leading theatre practitioner and television actor who promoted children and women’s rights through performing arts. Sania is a well respected activist who has always used the medium of theatre and drama to champion the rights of women and children in Pakistan.
Fahmida Riaz
– for daring to say no to the patriarchy and writing rebellious poetry that forced her to go into exile during General Zia’s era
Farida Khanum
– for making ghazal singing immortal with her beautiful voice; for being one of the senior most light classical singer who mesmerized generations of listeners. Farida Khanum is a name synonymous to ghazal singing in the world, wherever Urdu is spoken and understood.
Hina Jilani
– for fearlessly fighting cases of helpless women subjected to worst discrimination in the patriarchal society
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
– for making meaningful documentaries highlighting real issues faced by Pakistan and for bringing home the first Oscar Award won by any Pakistani woman.
Dr. Attiya Inayatullah
– for her lifelong contribution to family planning/population welfare andfor being the only Pakistani woman to serve on the executive board of UNESCO and head the organization
Uzra Butt
– for being an icon of classical dance and theatre and serving performing arts for over six decades
Gulalai Ismail
– for being an activist working for women empowerment in Khyber Pakhtunkwah since the age of 16 when she founded her organization Aware Girls
Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa
– for her bold stance agianst the military; yet sustaining it
Marvi Sirmed
– for taking a bold public stance against bigotry and religious extremism and bravely fighting for injustices and oppression at all forums
Dr. Fauzia Saeed
– for her contribution as a social scientist & researcher and a leading women’s rights activist
Dr. Maliha Lodhi
– for her outstanding contribution as a journalist, editor and later as a diplomat when she served as Pakistan’s top diplomat to US and UK and contributed significantly to portraying Pakistan’s positive image abroad
Prof. Anna Molka Ahmed
– for being a pioneer of fine arts in Pakistan and for setting up department of fine arts in Punjab University which evolved into a centre of excellence in fine arts and produced many noted artists
Jugnu Mohsin
– for her bold contribution to journalism through The Friday Times, a popular weekly that she publishes and for her struggle for human rights that earned her international acclaim
Justice (Retd) Majida Razvi
– for being the first woman to rise to the position of judge in a high court in Pakistan and for advocating repeal of Hudood Ordinances while she headed National Commission on Status of Women
