The founder and head of the Progressive Women's Association (PWA), Bukhari campaigns against the systematic oppression of women, and particularly against so-called "honor killings."

Bukhari first used her own home as a safe house, then set up the only shelter in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi area for female victims of violence and their children. In 2001, she launched a campaign to open a larger center to provide medical, psychological, and legal support.

Since 1987, the PWA has dealt with more than 15,000 cases, involving wife beating, child abduction, honor killings, incest, the trafficking of women and children, and rape. It also collected data showing that between March 1994 and March 2003 more that more than 5,000 women in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi area (a 200-mile radius) were doused in kerosene and set alight by family members. Less than 1% survived these “stove deaths.” The conviction rate is barely 4%.

Bukhari has suffered death threats, warnings, and abuse in the course of her work. In 2002, the PWA shelter was raided and shut down. Bukhari was accused of "abetting an attempt to commit adultery" and was tried under traditional Federal Sharia (Islamic) law but she was exonerated.

Mrs. Bukhari has held positions within the Pakistani government, including membership in the Senate and the Senate's standing committee on women's development. She was also nominated by her country as a special "rapporteur" for the Violence against Women Committee of the United Nations.

Progressive Women's Association: www.pwaisbd.org