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RABIYA JAVERI AGHA, SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN RIGHTS CALLS FOR AN END TO DOWRY
Rabiya Javeri Agha (born Rabiya Adila Javeri on December 2, 1963) is the Chairperson of The National Commission for Human Rights in Pakistan and a retired civil servant officer who served in the Government of Pakistan in BPS-22 grade as Federal Secretary. She was the first unanimously elected female President of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) Officers Association and has had an extensive career ranging from human rights, women's development, sustainable tourism, energy, finance and trade.
Contents
- RABIYA JAVERI AGHA SECRETARY MINISTRY OF HUMAN RIGHTS CALLS FOR AN END TO DOWRY
- Rabiya Javeri Agha Secretary TDAP as Chief Guest Health Asia Conference Exhibitors TV Network
- Early life
- Career
- Personal life
- References
As Secretary at the Ministry of Human Rights, Agha was involved in the drafting and promulgation of various legislation such as the National Commission on the Rights of the Child Act 2017, the Hindu Marriage Act, 2017, the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Protection Act, 2018 and the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018 Agha was also involved in drafting legislation against child marriage in the Sindh province through the Sindh Marriage Restraint, Act 2013, which was Pakistan's first law establishing the legal age of marriage at 18 years.
In February 2020, Agha was central in developing and presenting the 5th Periodical CEDAW Report, in Geneva, Switzerland. The Pakistan delegation led by Agha was also the first in history to include a transgender activist and expert in its presentation at the Convention.
Moreover, from 2013-2017, Agha was integral in reorganising the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, during her time as Secretary.
Rabiya Javeri Agha, Secretary TDAP as Chief Guest @Health Asia Conference! (Exhibitors TV Network)
Early life
Rabiya is the daughter of well known jeweller Hasan Javeri of Jamnagar State and Ayesha Rafique Javeri (Family of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Allahbad). She is also the sister of well known photographer Tapu Javeri and artist Zehra Laila Javeri. Her education was at Convent of Jesus and Mary and Karachi Grammar School. She Graduated in Politics and Literature from Mount Holyoke College. she is married to senior civil servant Agha Jan Akhtar, Chairman Port Qasim.
Career
Before joining the bureaucracy, Rabiya Javeri Agha worked as a journalist for the Dawn newspaper. She has written over 300 articles on social, political and cultural issues. She has also authored and published research papers on Sufism and on the Afghan political and refugee crisis.
When posted as secretary for the Women's Development Department (WDD) of Sindh, Pakistan she launched the legal aid committee (LAC) for women in prison. She also worked hard for the establishment of shelter homes across Sindh. She founded the women's parliamentary caucus with the help of deputy speaker Sindh Assembly, Shehla Raza, and also worked on the bill regarding domestic violence and harassment in the work place for women. Agha also reactivated the media cell of WDD and enhanced the budget of the department from Rs. 172 mn to Rs.302.9 mn. She holds the credit for vocational training of 1200 girls in entrepreneurship, beautician and office management courses through BBSYDP programme.
Her duties with the Trade Authority included marketing Pakistan's potential as a trade and cultural partner. She traveled throughout Pakistan and Europe to promote goods, like textiles and fashion, as well as the resources Pakistan has available. During her tenure as Secretary TDAP, Agha was awarded a gold model from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, at the FPCCI awards in Lahore, Pakistan. Agha was also recognized as one of Pond's Miracle Women for the year 2015, in recognition for her branding and marketing of Pakistan abroad. In recognition of her services to Pakistan, Rabiya was accorded the title of "Pride of Pakistan' by the Daily Times, a leading newspaper of Pakistan
As Federal Secretary for Human Rights, Rabiya presented the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Protection Bill, 2016 which was approved by the Standing Committee of the Cabinet for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC). The bill was the brainchild of the then Minister for Human Right Barrister Zafarullah Khan who attended the meeting now as member of CCLC and stated that this law would serve as model law for the protection of children from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.
Personal life
Rabiya Javeri Agha is married to fellow Pakistan Administrative Service officer Agha Jan Akhtar. The couple have four sons.