PESHAWAR: Iffat Shaheen, a young Pashtun girl from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s conservative Karak district, holds a position of responsibility at Peshawar’s central jail. As the prison facility’s assistant superintendent, she has inspired many women by breaking gender stereotypes and moving into a male-dominated occupation. However, she says it was not an easy journey for her.
“Girls are normally not educated in my family,” she told Arab News on Monday. “Fortunately, this was not the case with me since my parents thought differently and decided to support me throughout my education career. They are both truly inspirational.”
Iffat Shaheen can be seen standing in front of a prison cell on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
After finishing her basic education, Shaheen chose to study law and finished her LLB degree from Punjab University. Currently, she is doing Masters of Law from the University of Lahore where she goes over the weekend to meet with faculty members and submit her coursework.
After successfully doing LLB, Shaheen decided to appear in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission examination and secured the position of Assistant Superintendent of Jail.
“Securing a job in the prison department was not easy,” she added. “Many people get nervous while thinking about the idea of working with a penitentiary, but I never liked normal jobs and was always interested in doing something special and unique. So I refused the offer to work with the social welfare department and opted for the employment opportunity at the prison facility.”
Regardless of the doubters and naysayers, Shaheen overcame social obstacles and setbacks and managed to live her dream. She even motivated the inmates to think positively and strive for a better future.
“She is very cooperative and gives us respect,” said a female prisoner who requested not to be named. “We discuss our problem with her and she always tries to solve them.”
Iffat Shaheen can be seen at the beginning of the day as she enters the names of new prisoners in a register on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
Iffat Shaheen is holding a meeting with senior warden and other members of the administrative staff at the prison in Peshawar on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
Iffat Shaheen keeps a watchful eye on prisoners as they interact with their relatives on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
In Peshawar’s central jail, there are also some children who are living with their mothers. Iffat Shaheen is spending time with these kids on February 24, 2020, while they are being educated in the jail. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
Relatives of prisoners usually bring presents with them. In this picture, Iffat Shaheen can be seen scrutinizing these items before allowing the inmates to take them to their barracks on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
Prisoners can cook for themselves, though they are also provided three meals a day. Photo taken on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
Every morning, prisoners are taught how to read and benefit from the Quran and hadith. Photo taken on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
Inside the barracks, there are microwave ovens that can be used by inmates. Photo taken on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
Iffat Shaheen is supervising regular medical checkup of female prisoners in the jail on February 24, 2020. The medical examination is being conducted by a lady health worker. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
Inside Peshawar’s central jail, prisoners are taught how to knit and sew. Photo taken on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
Iffat Shaheen is asking female prisoners about the quality of food on February 24, 2020. (AN photo by Saba Rehman)
