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International Women’s Day 2024

In celebration of International Women’s Day, our legal assistant Afia Khan reflects on her experiences growing up in Pakistan and her thoughts on female leadership.

I’m honoured to have been given this opportunity to share my experiences of being a woman of colour with an international background in the UK.

Personally, I want to start by reflecting how I admired my mother’s courage growing up, a simple woman who endured the difficulties of being married at a young age and paved for her daughters the opportunities which she lacked.

In Pakistan, I used the privileges I was given to be the voice of the women who needed it using political and educational forums. As I was educated in an all girls school, an all girls college and an all girls university, it meant that I had to stand on the shoulders of countless other remarkable women to reach where I am today. Therefore, I have always felt a strong sense of purpose and justice to give back to the women of the world. I have experienced first-hand the value women empowerment brings to an economy and continue to advocate for it.

Afia (pictured bottom left) growing up with family in Pakistan.

Professionally, the importance of equity became increasingly clear amidst experiences where I would be the only international woman. In all of my previous roles, I noted that there was no real investment in an employee like me but I was great for the optics and ‘diversity’, which aggravated the imposter syndrome I had been struggling with. However, it wasn’t until I started working at Bute that I felt a true sense of empowerment. The investment made in me, and the autonomy I had been given since the get go felt liberating when the tone changed from ‘do as you’re told’ to ‘tell us what to do’. Not only do I have the support of incredible women but I get to support some of the most exceptional women at Bute.

I have now been working at Bute for over a year and owing to the incredible support and guidance of my line manager and fellow women, I have been able to really flourish and make my mark. I now also sit as a member of DE&I Committee and we are actively using this platform to drive inclusive leadership. When I look back over the struggles, I feel happy to have landed at a workplace where everyone is encouraged to be their authentic self – to speak what’s on their mind, be listened to and be heard.

This International Women’s Day, I want to remind all the little girls (everywhere in the world) that no matter what anyone tells you, always dream big, work hard, stay put and all else will follow.

Afia Khan

 

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