1)Give a little background about you and your journey as a peace activist: when did it begin and how?
My name is Nabila Abbas. I was born in an area where there was no access to formal education, no awareness of the world beyond my country, no technologies, no facilities, no advance or modern way of Life, No Freedom, no flourishing ideas. In my area girls have many restrictions. They are not allowed even to dream because they are told since birth: ” Your lives are just to struggle for food, cloths and shelter.” That is it.
But despite my poor background and despite of all the dark stages of my life growing up, I still sparked with childhood dream of flying planes; I breathed in hope for better opportunities for girls in my country and kept the faith alive. Yes I dared to fulfill my dream of flying and I remember I was so crazy about my dream that at age 11 I wrote this poem in the diary which my father once brought for me. The poem went like this;
The Heights of skies
The love of Flying,
The shinning of stars,
The swimming through clouds,
Return my eyes to the desire of dreaming
And the voice of my heart that continuously calls:
” She Was Born To Fly ” written by me ( Nabila Abbas alias Bella )
Age 11 at that time
Grade 5th class
I fought for my dream, I came out of my shell and I had to. I won my parents’ support and with the blessing of God today I’m here in Lahore the city of my dreams. If your dreams are bigger and beginning is low; Congratulations! Life is going to offer you something bigger ” I too had a low beginning but I want to create higher, bigger and broad vision goals ahead. I want to study first aviation as a bachelor degree. I want to learn its vast knowledge and skills. Practical work is my priority here. My platform is to lead on the path of my instructors with honesty, dignity and hard work. I am a consistent and I want to bring innovation and promotion of Aviation in Pakistan as a bachelor degree. I want to spread awareness about it. Especially I want girls of Pakistan to join this degree and unlock their futures with this innovative education in Pakistan.
2) What are your key achievements and issues you are responding to in relation to your activism work? ( eg: Trauma healing, Human trafficking, women empowerment, etc.
I totally support women empowerment as I have chosen this path; being a girl I suffered a lot to let my dreams come true living within a society where people don’t allow their daughters to come out of their shells. I fight for my rights living in a Baloch family where the girls are restricted from anything related to education, speech or awareness. And the field of Aviation is actually new and novel in Pakistan. Mostly girls are not aware about it. I have started “Aviation Literary Forum” with the support of my IAS (Institute of Aviation Studies) UMT Lahore. The purpose of ALF is to support girls, giving them a direction that yes, they can do much in every field so why not Aviation? Our purpose is to let them know that they are clothed in strengthen and dignity. They should step forward with confidence and courage.
3) What keeps you going and give you inspiration in your work? what gives you hope
Ans- My passion to pursue my dreams holds me up and encourages me to step forward. I believe in Alhamdulillah’s self-sufficient to carry on my things with hope and love. As, I rarely need external source of inspiration to work. Because I believe if you are determined and passionate then your own internal force of inspiration can create a new “YOU” inside you. Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
4) What would you consider to be the most difficult period of your activism journey and what lesson(s) did you get from that experience?
When everyone in my society as well as family-members were discouraging me to follow my aviation dreams. It was a challenge for me as well as for my consciousness and i wondered how could strive living with such conservative people and environment. I had to sustain my decorum of life. Otherwise I was too going to be Tribe -typical girl who put pictures on their heads and live the balance of it joyfully because it is fate for them but I was like a girl who wanted to create her own fate on the blue sky. I have learned that people will never stop putting obstacles in-front of your way, the only need is to confront those.
5) How does your organization promote inclusive participation of youth (male and female) in the fight against violent extremism?
Our ALF community is practicing some activities related to teamwork and peacebuilding. we engage with both Male and female youth in our activities. No doubt when they work together, it creates a sense of friendship, companionship, and peace. When they see any kind of violence they never bear to let it exists.
6) As part of the recent #16Days campaign against Gender-based violence, what word of encouragement would you give to women activists fighting rejection because of challenging patriarchy?
I totally understand the hurdles and clashes women often face when they come out for work or Education. I too have faced the same violence and objections and I would simply ask them to “Never Give up” and “fight for your rights” as your most precious things on earth.
How can people interested to connect with you reach you? (email, blog, website, LinkedIn, etc)
Ans- Email : [email protected]
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabila-abbas-431
Twitter : https://twitter.com/BellaAviator
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BellaBaloach