Khalida Brohi has created a life dedicated to women’s rights, social progress, and cultural ties. An activist and social entrepreneur hailing from a small village in Balochistan, Pakistan, Brohi has established and directed efforts that persist in empowering numerous women throughout Pakistan, all while transforming global perceptions of her nation’s customs.
Brohi’s path started when she was only 16. Seeing her cousin murdered in an honor killing for marrying her true love, Brohi decided to devote her life to opposing damaging customs. Initially, composing poetry, she chose to disclose it publicly, expressing the suffering and unfairness she had experienced.
Her activism developed with time to form structured initiatives. Becoming part of the WAKE UP Campaign Against Honor Killings in 2008, Brohi leveraged Facebook to gather support and coordinate protests. The campaign attracted thousands of supporters from around the world and urged Pakistan’s government to enhance safety measures for women. Despite the success in increasing awareness, significant change still needed to be prompted within rural communities as well.
In 2009, she launched the Sughar Empowerment Society, a nonprofit organization whose name means “skilled, confident woman” in Urdu. Sughar provides a six-month training program for women in rural villages, teaching them business skills, literacy, and legal rights, while also giving them the tools to monetize traditional embroidery. By 2013, Sughar had established 23 centers serving 800 women, creating a model that combined economic independence with cultural preservation.
Sugar allowed women to earn money while boosting their confidence to confront unjust norms. The organization founded its tribal clothing line, Nomads, in 2012, featuring embroidery produced by women living rurally. Brohi aims to grow Sughar to connect with one million women throughout Pakistan, promoting community change internally.
Brohi’s groundbreaking efforts swiftly attracted global recognition. She has twice been named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for Social Entrepreneurship, awarded the Emerging Global Leader Award by Northwestern University’s Buffet Institute, and honored with the Director’s Fellowship at MIT Media Lab. Other accolades include the Women of Impact Award from the Women in the World Foundation, the ANGEL Award by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, and recognition among Newsweek’s 25 Under 25 Women of Impact.
Even with dangers such as shootings and bombings, Brohi has stayed committed to her cause. She was featured in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary Seeds of Change, and she has delivered speeches at international platforms like TEDGlobal, Davos, Google Zeitgeist, and Facebook HQ, motivating audiences with her themes of resilience and change.
In 2015, Khalida married David Barron. They collaboratively founded The Chai Spot, a social venture focused on promoting peace and cultural appreciation by introducing Pakistani traditions to American audiences. The Chai Spot, found in Sedona, Arizona, and Manhattan, offers chai, handcrafted goods, and cultural activities, channeling its earnings to support initiatives for women and youth in Pakistan.
In addition to her activism and projects, Brohi is a writer as well. Her memoir, I Should Have Honor, narrates her childhood in Balochistan and the experiences that motivated her to be a leading advocate for women’s empowerment. The book has garnered considerable praise for its genuine honesty and insight into the difficulties and the richness of Pakistani culture.
Khalida Brohi’s efforts illustrate activism, entrepreneurship, and cultural diplomacy. Her legacy embodies bravery, determination, and the foresight of a young woman who turned her personal sorrow into a steadfast quest for justice.
