Kanwal Ahmed is a Pakistani entrepreneur and activist whose achievements have been recognized on various international platforms. Founded in 2013, her women’s only Facebook group Soul Sisters Pakistan has amassed a massive following. Providing a safe space for women to ask for advice, learn about their rights and discuss topics considered culturally taboo, Kanwal has become the voice of millions of women who were yearning to be heard. Conversations with Kanwal, a digital talk show conceptualised and hosted by her, is a natural extension of SSP where Kanwal is brave enough to broach uncomfortable subjects and champion women’s rights. Her efforts to empower women were recently recognised by Cartier and she was featured at the Women’s Pavilion at Expo2020.
Kanwal Ahmed is also a die-hard foodie. In those rarest moments when she is not working, she is on the lookout for the best biryani and bun kebabs places. Despite having her plate full (Nah; not with biryani but work) she recently managed to take out time for us to give insight and share her opinion about some pivotal questions around gender inequality.
Kanwal, you’re an established female influencer, one who enjoys massive support and respect from women across Pakistan. How do you personally view yourself?
I view myself as a person who is passionate about work and an empowered, driven entrepreneur. A person who wants to bring a change and create a safe space where people can communicate freely while feeling, both, validated and challenged. A place that teaches them to unlearn what they grew up learning.
So as a female from Pakistan, what has been the most difficult obstacle you faced in your career path? Well, consistent backlash. Unfortunately, a man in my place would have been lauded as a hero but women are generally demonized for the same work. This attitude sometimes derails me from my work but I push myself back and get in the game.
What would your ideal day in Karachi look like?
- Starting with HalwaPuri or Paratha breakfast at Boat Basin
- A trip to the salon and enjoying their coffee while getting a pedicure or blow-dry- Pakistani salons have THE BEST coffee
- To avoid feeling unproductive- conduct a meeting
- Dinner at Ghaffar, Kolachi or even Burns Road’s Bun Kebabs!
Your professional requirements must be emotionally draining. What do you do to rejuvenate and maintain good mental health?
Occasional therapy is beneficial. Secondly what helps is spending time with family, traveling, and giving my mind a much-deserved break. With time I have learned to give myself a breather and step away from everything.
Working from home doesn’t usually have working hour boundaries, how do you unplug and maintain a balance?
In terms of working hours and discipline, I am absolutely the wrong person to ask. This is one of my weaknesses, I overwork, I do not set timings and even work on the weekends. As your own boss, you tend to put yourself in overdrive. But your question was a good reminder for me to start taking proper time off.
Your life seems glamorous from afar, but have you ever felt threatened because of your job? How did you deal with it? Where did you get the confidence to start all over again the next day?
The majority of people discredit the years of hard work and only notice the one second of fame. The trolling and taunting can get intimidating, however, but another perspective is that this means people are getting threatened by your work because it hits them hard as I am working on women empowerment; this also serves as a motivation. Initially, it was difficult to shut out the noises, but over time I have learnt that, and now I focus on my work: use the feedback, compartmentalize it– whether I put it into constructive feedback or destructive feedback – and work on myself to be better and to serve my community better.
Pick three biryani places in Karachi?
- Lighthouse Biryani, Saddar
- Allah Walayki Biryani, Tariq Road
- Shahi Biryani, Khadda Market
What changes would you like to see in Pakistan? What approach would you follow to make them happen?
The changes I want to see revolve around women. I would like to see a structured organization that helps report cases of violence and harassment. Also, an institution that would support women recover from trauma. I also wish to see an institution providing sex education to children, according to age. Young children should be taught about good and bad touch, while older girls need to be taught about sex. This would help avoid unwanted pregnancies and traumas, and most of them are married at a young age with no idea regarding what to expect on their first night of marriage.
Soul Sisters has evolved a lot over the years, what are your near future and ultimate goals for this platform?
My plan moving forward is to continue growing in terms of content. I feel that by creating relevant content, it is the easiest for me to reach my target audience and promote the relevant message in society. Our diverse range of content from visuals to text advocates the same message which I have been working on for a long time now, and this is the same direction that I want to continue growing in.
Favorite destination?
As an ex-pat, definitely Pakistan.
2013 ——— Started the group Soul Sisters on Facebook
2018 ——— Got selected for Facebook Community Leadership Program
2019 ——— Launched the first season of Conversations with Kanwal
2021 ——— Received the Silver Button by Youtube for crossing 100k subscribers
2021 ——— Featured at Women’s Pavilion by Cartier at Expo2020
