Zahida Kazmi : The Woman Who Took the Wheel and Changed the History

Zahida Kazmi with her blood and soul is an only Pakistani women known for being the country's first female taxi driver. She preferred her self-respect and dignity over being burden to someone. Zahida Kazmi was born in Peshawar, (KPK , Pakistan) during 1959.She bought her yellow cab on affordable installments through the Pakistani government's Yellow Cab Scheme in early 1990s.
According to The National and Wikipedia, she was an elected president and chairperson of the federation for 12 years. Zahida Kazmi is 57 years old widow and mother of seven children. She was a single mother for years and tried to be a good breadwinner for her family. She mainly is operating in Islamabad -Rawalpindi metropolitan area. She has also driven customers to rocky and remote areas in the northern part of the country including Balakot , Choral , Dirty , Abbottabad and Swat District.
Zahida Kazmi has gained recognition for breaking gender stereotypes in the country. She has been making a living as a taxi driver for past 37 years. She literally put herself into her family. She single-handedly brought up her children after that death of her first and second husband.
A lot of allegations rose up and she faced humiliation. In her documentary interview with AlJazeera Witness, Kazmi spoke openly about the double standards working women endure , saying :"It's a sin to be a woman in Pakistan ... It's easy for men".This statement explorers deep and heartbreaking reality of humiliation she experienced in the society.
Today , all her older children are married and she lives with her youngest 13-year-old daughter. She continuous to drive some 10 hours a day and earns about rupees 1000 to 1500. Ask me describe her job as " An adventure in a male dominated world ", but I necessity to feet herself and her children.
From my perspective, Zahida Kazmi's journey is aap powerful testament to courage , dignity and resilience. By breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated society that hard work and determination can turn struggle into empowerment and lasting respect.