A Girl From Pakistan - A Journey of Impact Through Learning and Unlearning
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“As you make your way through this complex journey called ‘life’, pursue all that brings you joy, and become the person that your younger self needed the most”.
Hani Rukh-E-Qamar's journey from Punjab, Pakistan to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada in 2011 was a turning point in her life. Her educational path took her through M.J. Coldwell Elementary School and Judge Bryant Elementary School during her elementary and middle school years, laying a strong foundation for her academic pursuits.
After completing her high school education at Balfour Collegiate, Hani's exceptional achievements led her to secure admission to the Bachelor of Science program at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. It was during her first year at McGill that the COVID-19 pandemic started. The resulting isolation and uncertainty stirred deep reflections within Hani, as memories of her own immigrant experience resurfaced. Despite being surrounded by family, she realised that the sense of isolation she felt was not unique to her but resonated with other immigrant women and girls she met along her journey. Motivated by a desire to empower and support her peers, Hani founded the Canadian Advisory of Women Immigrants (CAWI), a grassroots organisation dedicated to empowering immigrant women and girls. Through CAWI, Hani and her team were fostering social support through mentorship programs, community events, and initiatives addressing sexual and reproductive health in immigrant communities.
During her undergraduate years, Hani had the privilege of receiving mentorship from various professors and dedicated researchers. Under their guidance, she delved into profound lessons about decolonization, systemic oppression, and their profound effects on the well-being of underserved communities. These insights ignited more passion within Hani and created an opportunity for her to learn but also unlearn, paving her towards even greater involvement in the field she longed to dedicate herself to.
Beyond her work with CAWI, Hani immersed herself in various community and research projects, eager to contribute to causes that intersected with her own lived experiences. Today, she serves as the Co-Chair of the Canadian Partnership for Women's and Children's Health (CanWaCH), where she continues to advocate for health equity, global mental health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. This fall, Hani will be pursuing a Master of Science in Epidemiology at McGill University to continue her journey in empowering underserved communities across the world.
Hani holds immeasurable gratitude for her parents, who have been unwavering pillars of support throughout her journey as a young individual in a foreign land. Their selfless dedication and tireless efforts have played an instrumental role in nurturing her growth and success in a completely unfamiliar environment.