“Women are playing a role in every field, including air force, army, police and administration. Then why not in the Bomb Disposal Unit,” she wondered. But she is realistic enough to admit that “it’s a challenging job”.
Our Woman of Substance is none other than Brave Heart Rafia Qaseem Baig – The first Pakistani Female Bomb Disposal Squad Unit Officer.
“There are plenty of jobs out there, but this one requires a special kind of courage,” she said, stressing that her faith in Allah is central to her career choice.
Rafia belongs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province of Pakistan. Her inspiration came from a blast which happened near the sessions court.
Rafia has not one, but two Masters degrees — in Economics and international relations. She is on the verge of getting a degree in Law as well. Rafia, gave out a message to her female colleagues: “Come and be a part of the Bomb Disposal Unit.”
She was offered jobs from different firms but she preferred a career in the Police Department.
Rafia underwent special training to learn about the types of different explosive gadgets along with the methods to disarm them. Talking about her profession, she says that she likes to do the kind of tasks which not everyone can dare to do. She has to wear a special suit weighing about 75 kg, every time when needed, which,in a way, is a reminder of how much responsibility she has on her shoulders.
She added: “Life and Death is in the hands of ALLAH. If HE has written life in my favor then even grenades will get molded into the flowers.”
We salute Rafeea Qaseem Baig for her extraordinary spirit – a true trail blazer in the making!
This article is the collaboration effort of several members of Team FUCHSIA.
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