Senator Kohli vows to represent weaker segments of society

Senator Kohli vows to represent weaker segments of society

Islamabad: Humble, devoted and warm, the newly elected Senator Krishna Kumari Kohli is determined to represent weaker segments of the society at the highest policy level.

She shared her journey from Nagarparker to Senate at an interaction organised by Mehergarh from where she completed two-month residential Youth Leadership Training. The event was organised to celebrate the success of Krishna Kumari Kohli on becoming a senator and on the release of her brother, Veerji Kohli, after a wrongful imprisonment of false murder case for a year. Civil society, politicians and media personals were invited to attend the ceremony.

“I never thought that my community level activities will one day lead me to Senate. After completing my bachelors, I sat home like every other woman. It was Dr Fauzia Saeed who insisted me to attend the leadership training and my life changed after that,” said Krishna thanking Pakistan People’s Party especially Bilawal Bhutto and Asifa Bhutto for believing in her abilities and giving her the Senate ticket.

Krishna Kohli fought for the rights of women and worked as a social activist. She played active role in the implementation of Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010 in Sindh and drafting and lobbying for Hindu Marriage Act 2016. She also founded an organisation to serve her community. “Unfortunately, not many media organizations mentioned her work as social work and contributions as an activist,” said rights activist, former Executive Director Lok Virsa and host of the event Dr Fauzia Saeed.

Overwhelmed with the love and praises she is receiving from friends and community, Krishna said that it was this love that gives her confidence and energy to perform at her best. “My community doesn’t even know the meaning of senator. They are celebrating that I have got job in government office which is a considered as the biggest achievement in our community,” shares Krishna who was accompanied by her husband, mother, father and brother, Veerji Kohli.

While expressing his thoughts on his sister’s success, Veerji Kohli thanked PPP and Mehergarh for having faith in them. “Even now, if someone from our community sits in the passenger bus, people change their seats. But someone from the same community now sits in the upper house of the Parliament,” he said.

Veerji has been working to end bonded labour from Nagarparkar and has freed a large number of families from illegal bondage. His struggle for the basic rights of the communities in the region continues to challenge illegal feudal practices there. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in a false murder case as a punishment for fighting a gang rape case of a minor girl against an influential feudal family. Recently he has been released on court order after almost a year of imprisonment. He is an elected representative in his area serving as the chairman of the Union Council there.

Veerji was also presented with Mehergarh Award as acknowledgement for his tireless efforts and struggle for truth, justice and equality for all. Mehergarh graduates, representatives of civil society, founding members of Mehergarh and media persons were invited to attend the ceremony. All of the participants praised their strong commitments and wished the brother and sister team an active and involved political future.  

Article source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/292555-senator-kohli-vows-to-represent-weaker-segments-of-society