At the age of 21, Ms. Mazari was seriously injured in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Despite immense challenges, she became a leading artist – her work has been exhibited in many prestigious galleries across the world – a global motivational speaker, humanitarian, disability rights advocate, Pakistan’s first wheelchair-bound television host, model and Pakistan’s Goodwill Ambassador. UN Women Pakistan.
In an interview with Hareem Ahmed of UN NewsMs. Mazari shared her extraordinary journey of resilience and determination, her refusal to let her disability define her, and her vision for a truly inclusive society.
Muniba Mazari: I have learned that if you have the courage to face challenges head on and if you are persistent and constantly try to make a difference for yourself and the people around you, obstacles turn into bridges and adversities turn into opportunities.
My appointment as an SDG Advocate is a huge honor because, as a woman who has used a wheelchair for 17 years, I know exactly what it feels like to be discriminated against, to be underestimated, to be questioned, and then later to be told that you are not good enough.
I realized that if you have the passion to do things, people open doors for you and accept you with your courage and passion. I have always done this and will continue to be the voice of those who are left behind, not because they don’t have a voice, but because they don’t have the right platform to say what they need to say.
People with disabilities around the world face these problems and prejudices. They are often left behind. They are often invisible and ignored, whether in classrooms, workplaces, leadership positions and, unfortunately, even homes. As an advocate for the SDGs, it is my responsibility to represent them.
UN News: You have said that inclusion is a fundamental human right, not charity. What do you think a truly inclusive society looks like and what barriers still need to be removed?
Muniba Mazari: Many people think that inclusion means sympathy for people with different abilities. We must understand that an inclusive society must have an inclusive mindset, free from prejudices, labels and judgments. An inclusive society is impossible if we judge people by their appearance. To me, inclusion is about accepting people for who they are and what they believe in, respecting them and ensuring that no one feels left out.
Ideally, an inclusive society would be one in which people are not labeled simply because they are different and unique, and a place where everyone feels seen, heard and welcomed. I hope one day we will realize this dream.
UN News: You have highlighted the importance of male allies in the fight for gender equality. What kind of support do you think men can offer?
Muniba Mazari Men cannot succeed without women, and women cannot succeed without men. We can’t fight. We must fight for each other and work together as a team.
My son knows his mother doesn’t cook, but she works all day and is passionate about her work, which has helped many people over time. If we really want to see a difference, we need to raise our children in an inclusive environment.
When we talk about giving women rights, it’s as if we are asking men to give us their rights so that we can flourish. This is not the case. We are not taking away men’s rights and giving them to women. The problem is that men are not obliged to demand their basic rights. We just want men to stand with us, unlearn a lot of things they have been taught, relearn and understand that men and women must work together to grow and excel.
Young boys and a man using crutches walk through flooded streets in Nowshera Kalan, one of the worst-affected areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.
UN News: How do you use art and storytelling as tools for social change?
Muniba Mazari: Creative expression is very important, especially when there is so much sadness, darkness and suffering all around. Art has the power to heal and transform people, and it is the best way to connect with people on a deeper human level.
In my personal journey, art has been my savior, a safe space where I can simply be myself and express what I am experiencing. We need more artists in the world because we need more healing.
UN News: What are the biggest challenges to achieving gender equality in Pakistan today and how can we overcome them?
Muniba Mazari: We must raise our children equally. Prejudices are so deeply ingrained that we don’t even think of them as prejudices. Cooking and cleaning are basic life skills, not gender roles, but if a man does laundry, people make fun of him. My brother does it at my place, in my house. He cooks when he wants. I don’t cook because I don’t want to. For my son, this is completely normal.
We’ve done an incredible job raising strong girls, and we know how to find a way and take the lead. But what about guys who don’t know what to do when they see a woman blossoming? They are intimidated, they feel threatened.
I think it’s important for us to raise strong men. My definition of a strong man is very simple: he is a man who does not feel intimidated when he sees a girl or woman flourishing and excelling in her career.
A health worker performs blood pressure tests in rural India.
UN News: What are the most pressing gaps you see in disability rights and accessibility?
Muniba Mazari: A lack of acceptability and a lack of accessibility.
I remember when I started my journey as an artist, as a TV presenter, I was told, “You’re a woman in a wheelchair in Pakistan and things are going to be difficult”. You will be the first to do all this. And I remember saying, I may be the first, but I won’t be the last, because what I’m doing right now is creating a path for many people who will come after me.
I saw mentalities change; It’s been a long road and there’s still a long way to go, but let’s start by accepting people as they are and giving them the right to go out and live their lives to the fullest.
