The Pakistani community in UK is often seen by outsiders, as being a male dominant society. People often express surprise when they discover that the last couple of decades have seen a marked shift within the Pakistani community with the children of the earliest migrants are now playing important roles within the society.
The physical journey for Haleema Malik, from Multan to Glasgow, may not be far but the psychological journey to be recognised as an equal and important member of the society is enormous.
Haleema, a British national was born in Multan, Pakistan. Married to Hanzala Malik MSP, could have spent her life as a house wife but like her husband, her keen interest in community work brought her into politics and was elected as Councillor from Glasgow’s Firhill ward in 2003 and became the first Muslim/Pakistani women ever to have achieved this.
The fact no other Pakistani women in Scotland achieved this before 2003, for Haleema, it was an honour and added responsibility when she, as councillor sat on various Committees and Sub-committees and has also been member of various outside bodies.
Haleema will always be seen and judged as the only Pakistani women in Scotland to have made the council and became an example to others who followed her.
