NEW DELHI: Activist Krishna Kumari Kolhi, who recently made history by becoming the first-ever Hindu Dalit woman to be elected to Pakistan's Senate, came wearing traditional Thari dress for her oath taking ceremony.
Showcasing her culture with immense pride, Kumari was dressed in a purple dress and white bangles that ran up to her shoulders. Kumari's parents also accompanied her to the Senate. They were also clad in the same colourful Thari costume. She was applauded by fellow senators for “being connected to her roots”.
On March 3, 39-year-old Kumari became the first female Dalit lawmaker in Pakistan as a member of Pakistan People’s Party. She got elected on a woman seat reserved for minorities from Sindh by defeating a Taliban-linked cleric in the race.
Born to a poor family, she belongs to the scheduled caste Koli community and hails from Nagarparkar village in Tharparkar district, where women are still deprived of basic facilities. She hails from the family of valiant freedom fighter Rooplo Kolhi.
Being a victim of bonded labour along with her parents, Kumari fought hunger and poverty in her early life. She got married to Lalchand at the age of 16. Her husband supported her to continue her studies and as a result she now holds a master’s degree in sociology from Sindh University.
As an activist, she has worked against bonded labour, sexual harassment at workplaces, and for the rights of women and the people of her village.
