Social Worker Crowned Mrs. World Pakistan
Tahmena Bokhari is living proof social workers can be brainy and beautiful.
Bokhari was recently crowned Mrs. World Pakistan 2010 in Toronto. The pageant was created to find role models for married Pakistani women. To read the full OpEd.com article on Bokhari click here.
You might also want to read this Toronto Star profile of Bokhari by clicking here.
Bokhari received a masters in social work from the University of Toronto and is a social worker, professor, government consultant, public speaker and writer. She is passionate about a variety of issues, including ending violence against women.
“I am a living example of a Pakistani woman balancing career, family, pageants, culture and hobbies, and I want to talk to women everywhere about this careful juggling act we perform on a daily basis,” Bokhari said.
Q: Tahmena Bokhari said it may appear to be a contradiction that she competed in a pageant while being a dedicated social worker and feminist. Do you think social work, feminism and pageants are compatible?
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If she wants it to be, why not? Aren’t we supposed to empower people to live the life they want?
No….
Tahmena Bokhari is a remarkable woman that so many admire and look up to. She has inspired and helped so many people as she is so knowledgeable and experienced, just read her articles or read interviews done of her. She has worked in the refugee camps in Pakistan while not showering for days due to shortage of water, worked with orphans in Cambodia and has done so much work in Toronto. The Pakistani community is so proud of her, and how often do you see a Pakistani woman making headlines…unless she is a victim of male violence or its a story on human rights violations? She provides hope for so many Pakistani women, who use her as an example when they want to convince their parents to let them go away to university like she did, to let them travel like she did, and she is still admired by all ages. Is that not feminism in action right there?
As a male feminist, I think it can be compatible and I support women like Tahmena who are out there making a true difference. Like Tahmena says, it is all how it makes you feel and what it means for you in your specific circumstance, there is no black and white. Not everyone can carry and juggle all of these identities as well as Tahmena, so it may seem difficult at first. But I think that is what she is trying to show us, it can be done, we just do not have a role model or visual yet of how. The world is not used to seeing this side of Pakistan. There are so many Muslim women who don’t wear the head scarf and can relate to Tahmena. There are so many Pakistani women who are moderate, want to progress in their careers with a family and they too can relate to Tahmena. Tahmena is representing all of these real life people who are not currently represented in the media. Bravo Tahmena!
Before students transition into the graduate program, we opt for direct or community practice. It appears that Ms. Tahmena is making a positive impact on a global level.
Tahmena is an example of what is possible for all women, not just Pakistani, and men for that matter in terms of being globally aware. She is a College professor, she is a life long student, she promotes education, she promotes the field of social work, she is dedicated to her causes. She has taught so many students directly and indirectly, inspired so many men and women. We need more people like her in this world.
And what is most important is that she is using her looks and her mind to better the world, if she has it…why not? So many people out there are just using their bodies and faces to gain profit, all those models and even actresses, but she is not in this for personal gain but to spread awareness on issues she is clearly passionate about. What about those activists even actresses who go nude to promote the cause of the environment and animals, they are using their bodies to make a statement and it has made a difference…but they are usually of a certain race so I guess it is ok for them? And I can tell you that before reading all about Tahmena, I did not know how much beauty was in Pakistan and nor did I have a clue about the challenges women like her could face.
Just check out Tahmena’s work in Pakistan and South East Asia, you will be breath taken!
http://tahmenabokhari.blogspot.com/
http://tahmenabokharisoutheastasia.blogspot.com/
Question — What is a “PERFECT HUMAN BEINGâ€???
*A beautiful, charming, smart, individual enchanting grace!!
*Gifted with superb intelligence while possessing solid determination and will power to use cogitative faculties gaining higher levels of education, obtaining diplomas, master degree, proving to be an exceptional super achiever…….
*Establishing a career in a prominent educational institute which is strictly based on intellectual skills, educational achievements and core hard work while providing the desire to help needy and humanity!
Not an easy task and person accomplishing three above factors presents enough elements to be declaring a “PERFECT HUMAN BEINGâ€â€¦.. By all means, Tahmena is such an exceptional perfect human being…
Tahmena also has a compassionate heart and wishful thinking to make a difference in places where pain, suffering and misery rules, where no guardian angel is present to wipe out the tears of of less fortunate and nature stricken victims, orphans and earth quack victims including little innocent children who are in desperate need of help — she travels afar while leaving her comfortable life of big modern city behind in disastrous adversity locations to help.. To heal ill, offering comfort to those in agonizing pains and life threatening situations — How blessed is the soul who try to makes a difference in tortured humanity? Who chose hardship of traveling afar in unfortunate areas to help people with unthinkable horrible conditions, living in ruins and dying with diseases, sicknesses, without any medicine or comfort of a roof over their heads! She has travelled as far as China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Japan just in 2007 as part of her social work and she is an expert on the topic of geographical villager’s living and a passionate writer.
Tahmena who chose the humanitarian path resembling the voyage of Mother Teresa to heal the world happened to be involve in modeling as well, yes she possesses enough perfection in her physical being to become a model, winner of many beauty contests, recently she has become the new Mrs. Pakistan, beauty pageant winner by Miss. Pakistan World. Tahmena represents women globally not just Pakistan. She is a voice of educated, successful women who can handle marriage, demanding career such as social worker while wearing many beauty crowns with a smile.
About the negative comments they are right on point! We must understand that Pakistan is somewhat infested with Taliban mentality like people who will stand against any women who does not live by their imposed, approved standards. Even though Pakistan thrives with glamorous entertainment industry, fashion models, artist, international rock bands like Junoon, high usage of internet, PC, and mobile technology, inhabited by people who love to party, dance, sing, where dancing competitions in weddings goes for months while displaying significant traits of Western social living, a true modern country but these radical Muslims wants to change it to an Iran like regime where human rights are brutally abused and people are forced to dress in a certain way! These people want to change Pakistan in a Taliban like environment where women are just an insignificant element of the society! Where clothing is more important then character, career and where women’s accomplishment means nothing and where doctors and teachers were forced to stop working where women’s fingers were cut because they dare to wear nail polish, where women has no rights at all. Thank God Pakistan is not one of those places..Not Yet!!
Considering all standards the super achiever Tahmena is a “PERFECT HUMAN BEINGâ€â€¦blessed with stunning beauty, intelligence and a supreme principle motivated exemplary life to motivate anyone. People like me are thrilled to have her among us, hoping she will contribute more to humanity while representing every working woman… What a treasure this lady is to the world!!
Best wishes for you Tahmena I hope you are going to inspire many many people by your exceptional humanitarian services and you are going to make all of the Pakistan and Muslim world proud of you..
Ann T.W.
Dear all,
I want to thank Social Workers Speak for posting this news and I also want to thank all of you who have commented. I encourage everyone to add to the discussion here and on my Facebook fan page.
I am honoured and excited to hold this title and to have this international platform to improve the image of Pakistan and to showcase to the world the power of women. Thank you again for your on-going support and please do stay tuned for more interesting news on my Facebook fan page.
All the best,
Tahmena