Marvi Sirmed facts for kids

Marvi Sirmed is a Pakistani political commentator, journalist, and human rights activist. She is a social democrat.

Early life and education

Marvi Sirmed was born in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan on 11 June 1970. Her paternal family was agriculturist from Bhawalpur. Her father, Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq, was Directorate General of Public Relations Punjab until 2003. In her childhood she accompanied her mother in women's protests.

Before entering teaching and journalism careers she was a sciences student. She was a pre-med student and obtained her master's degree in science and education from the University of Punjab and taught at secondary schools in Lahore.

Career

Sirmed is a social democrat, advocating for secular polity and minority rights in Pakistan. She has advocated for improved domestic violence legislation and governmental secularism.

In 1990s, Sirmed started getting involved in NGO activities along with her journalistic activities. In 2001–2002 she joined the Aurat Foundation's Legislative Watch Programme. In 2004, she worked for The United Nations Development Programme in Pakistan, and simultaneously with the National Commission on the Status of Women, Federal Ministry of Women's Development, and the Parliament of Pakistan.

Marvi Sirmed received the National Human Rights Award of the government of Pakistan in 2010 and Friend of the Parliament Award in 2012. Sirmed was a member of the executive council of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and serves as board chair of Bytes for All. She is fellow at National Endowment for Democracy. She has been a freelance journalist since 2016.

Attacks

In 2012 and again in 2018, she was shot at by unidentified gunmen and escaped unhurt. Her home has three times been ransacked, with passports and documents being taken.

Personal life

She is married to journalist Sirmed Manzoor.