Perween Rahman, a renowned social activist, architect and director of Orangi Pilot Project (OPP), spent decades working on poverty alleviation projects.

On March 13, 2013 Rahman was murdered by armed assailants while returning home from work.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, T2F held its fourth session of The Perween Rahman Lecture Series, instituted to keep Rahman’s voice and legacy alive and to continue talking about the issues closest to her heart.

Panelists included Zubeida Mustafa, Zohra Yusuf, Tasneem Siddiqui and Aquila Ismail.

Ismail, Rahman’s sister, opened the discussion and said that their aim was to push for Rahman’s justice in every possible way.

Yusuf, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), said Rahman was more than a symbol of resistance. Her form of resistance was to take practical steps to bring about change and to make the community she was working with aware that a better life was possible.

Siddiqui, who worked extensively with Rahman and the OPP, praised Rahman for her brave decision to work for the rights of the poor in the early years of her career.

Journalist Zubeida Mustafa said she admired Rahman for giving women confidence and a sense of empowerment.

Text and photographs by Mahjabeen Mankani/Dawn.com