For the first time in Sindh’s history, a woman is set to become a Sardar of her tribe. The decision has been taken with consensus by the Soho community of Sindh. After the demise of former tribal leader Ismail Soho, his daughter Heer Soho, a member of the Sindh assembly, will lead the tribe.
Heer Soho’s father, Sardar Ismail Soho, was an old member of the PPP and was imprisoned during the MRD movement. Heer Soho belongs to Mirpur Bathoro taluka of Sujawal. She started her political career by becoming a member of the Sindh Assembly from the platform of MQM. Later on, she bade farewell to MQM and joined her father’s political party, PPP, from where she was made a member of the reserved seat for women.
Soho’s feat will show women in tribal and rural areas a different path and encourage their families to educate them. With a female chieftain at the helm of affairs, the entire community will be steered towards a more progressive route as people’s concerns will be better heard. Globally, women are found to be more empathetic and score better in most leadership skills compared to men
After Ramadan, Sindh’s Soho community will hold a ceremony in Mirpur Bathoro taluka of Sujawal. During the ceremony, Heer Soho will be graced with the tribal leader’s turban, after which she would be sworn as the first woman Sardar of the province. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Heer Soho said that as a woman, tribal leadership would not just be an honour for her but also a heavy responsibility.
She would be the first woman leader of the community and Sindh. She has accepted the community’s decision and will lead the community like her father. She thinks that the mandate is no less than a challenge for her.
With her political knack, Soho will navigate and address the community’s bigger problems such as a lack of drinking and agricultural water. And also, focus on the more sensitive issues such as child marriages, honour killings, and improving women’s access to healthcare and education.
Considering that a large proportion of Pakistani women live in rural areas of which many are members of tribal clans, there is an increased likelihood of women being chosen as chieftains in the future.
Soho’s position as a tribal Sardar will set a new precedent for women in leadership positions and help promote female representation in Pakistan’s political sphere.
Ultimately, this is a monumental step for the empowerment of women and the progress of society at large.
Heer Soho’s father, Sardar Ismail Soho, was an old member of the PPP and was imprisoned during the MRD movement. Heer Soho belongs to Mirpur Bathoro taluka of Sujawal. She started her political career by becoming a member of the Sindh Assembly from the platform of MQM. Later on, she bade farewell to MQM and joined her father’s political party, PPP, from where she was made a member of the reserved seat for women
