New World Outlook - Summer 2017 - Open - 22

22 N E W W O R L D O U T L O O K . O R G

When Indrias was in ninth grade,
her mother died of cancer. "My siblings and I began to see more of
our father's conservative mindset,"
Indrias noted. This only strengthened
her resolve to confront his ideology.
As she grew, Indrias could see, beyond the eyes of a child, the injustices women endured.
"In my own family I felt uncomfortable, and I think that unrest urged me
to speak out against a patriarchal ideology that sees women only as daughters, mothers, and wives," she said.
Indrias' father wanted her to become a teacher at an all-women's
school. Although she and her father
didn't see eye to eye politically, she
is thankful that he helped her and her
siblings through school, paying their
college fees and taking care of the
household expenses.
Before enrolling as a Ph.D. student,
Indrias completed two masters' degrees in International Relations and
Public Policy and Governance. Prior
to her masters, she studied Applied
Psychology and Mathematics. She
later decided to switch to an education
track to increase her chances of finding a job, becoming financially independent, and having a life of her own.
Indrias works with the Lahore
Diocese Church of Pakistan teaching
Women's Studies and Peace Building
at Lahore's oldest women's college,
Kinnaird College for Women. She
serves as a board member for the
Christian Study Center in Rawalpindi
and contributes to its theological journal. She noted: "This center provides
an intellectual space to deliberate
and discuss the challenges and constraints that Christians, as a religious
minority within their communities,
are facing. It promotes peaceful coexistence among communities."
In addition to her work with religious minorities, Indrias raises funds
for women's welfare development

Ayra Indrias from Rawalpindi,Pakistan, currently a Ph.D. student in Gender Studies at Punjab
University in Lahore, Pakistan, gives a workshop on International Women's Day, March 2017.
PHOTO: COURTESY AYRA INDRIAS

projects. "I strongly believe in gender equality and I express this through
participation in women's movements in Pakistan to transform legislation,
cultural norms, and traditions that sanction oppression against women,"
said Indrias.
"I raise funds for women's welfare projects and that made me quite acceptable to the church institution," said Indrias. "However, the hierarchal and
patriarchal order of church-run institutions depress me at times." Yet, Indrias
reminds herself that some church-run institutes and organizations, like United
Methodist Women, help to develop and fulfill her objective of improving the
status and role of women in Pakistan.
While her three siblings all married and had children, Indrias remained single,
"which further disturbs acquaintances," she admitted. "I myself witnessed
and suffered the repercussions of questioning the status quo of a patriarchal
social environment that allows little space for women to have a life of their
own. I have seen how women are treated as second class citizens. I believe in
constructing a society where gender is not an excuse to keep people from exercising their due rights on planet earth."
Indrias strongly believes that economic independence is one of the most
important steps to empower women. She has been working in various skilltraining projects that help women learn how to generate their own income, elevate their status, and strengthen their position in society.

My Life Is a Miracle and Testimony

Julieth Gudo is a Ph.D. student in Commercial Law and research assistant at
the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa. The hardships she
experienced and endured throughout her life motivated her to pursue higher
education to fight government corruption, empower nonprofit organizations,
and encourage other young people who share her experiences.

http://www.newworldoutlook.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of New World Outlook - Summer 2017 - Open