Pakistan's first all-female law firm opened in February 1980 under the leadership of Hina Jilani and her sister, Asma Jahangir. Operating out of Lahore, the AGHS Legal Aid Cell began by offering representation to women, eventually expanding its scope to include legal research, counselling, and education to combat systemic exploitation and discriminatory legislation.
Early Career and Advocacy
Born on 19 December 1953 in Lahore, Jilani attended the Convent of Jesus and Mary. Following her law graduation, she began practicing in 1979 within the chambers of barrister Ijaz Hussain Batalvi during a period of martial law in Pakistan. In 1980, she helped establish the Women's Action Forum to campaign against gender-based discrimination. She further expanded institutional support by founding the nation's first legal aid centre in 1986 and establishing Dastak, a women's shelter, in 1991. Dastak continues to facilitate workshops focused on human rights awareness.
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Jilani has held multiple appointments within the United Nations. Between 2000 and 2008, she served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders. Her international engagements include an appointment to the 2006 International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur and the 2009 United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict. Additionally, she co-chaired the High-Level Working Group on the Health and Human Rights of Women, Children, and Adolescents for the World Health Organization and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2017.
Security Challenges
The legal activism pursued by Jilani and her sister frequently resulted in death threats, physical intimidation, and arrests. In 1999, Jilani survived an attempted assassination at her office following her work on the case of Samia Sarwar, who was shot by a gunman. Additional incidents involved armed individuals entering her home to threaten family members. Despite these persistent security risks and pressures to leave the country, Jilani maintains her residence and legal practice in Lahore.
Fast facts
- Born: 19 December 1953, Lahore, Pakistan
- Education: Convent of Jesus and Mary, Lahore
- Ginetta Sagan Award: 2000
- Millennium Peace Prize for Women: 2001
- Editor's Award for Outstanding Achievement: 2008
- Honorary Doctorate: Trinity College Dublin, 2016
- Affiliations: The Elders, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
- United Nations Tenure: 2000 to 2008 as Special Representative
Questions readers ask
What is the AGHS Legal Aid Cell?
It is the first all-female law practice in Pakistan, co-founded by Hina Jilani and Asma Jahangir in 1980 to provide legal support and protection to women.
Has Jilani worked with international organizations?
Yes, she has served as a United Nations Special Representative and worked with the Carter Center and the World Health Organization.
