A week in the life of a 15-year-old girls’ rights advocate in Pakistan — Assembly

Mahya takes us through her busy week as a Youtuber, polyglot, and volunteer helping Afghan girls access education. (Courtesy of Mahya Mirsadeghi)

15-year-old Fatima Binte Muhammad writes about her busy week attending Model United Nations events and advocating for girls’ rights through an online community, GirlUp.

Monday

Today, I had an incredibly productive day. I woke up early and started by cleaning and organizing my room, which felt refreshing. Later, I immersed myself in Stephen King's captivating book, "The Institute," and couldn't put it down, finishing it in just one day. In the afternoon, I checked my emails for my small series, "Humari Awaz Aik Awaz," where people answer weekly questions, on just about anything. From questions of why safaris should be preferred over zoos to why so many teenagers live with depression. At 8 a.m., I prepared and shared delicious biryani with my neighborhood, spreading joy through food. With school about to reopen, I made sure to get to bed early, looking forward to getting back into my routine. It was a fulfilling and eventful day!

Tuesday

I woke up early and played tennis with my father. I had a lot of fun. After returning home, I had breakfast and went to feed my 57 cats, which I absolutely love taking care of.

When I was 11, I found a small kitten outside in the rain and I decided to adopt her and name her Chibi. Now, I am especially excited because Chibi is about to give birth. Adopting Chibi, is how my passion for animals started.

At 5 p.m., I dressed up and tutored a few young girls in English and Health Education at my home. Later, I updated my social media account @activism_tima, sharing stories about new dogs and cats and asking for support for shelters to raise funds for injured animals. By 8 p.m., I almost finished my work, so I went on my Girl Up profile and published posts about the opportunities my club provides. GirlUp is a place where girls from all around the world can meet and build communities, get scholarships, and be a part of projects that help underprivileged girls. Though it was an exhausting day, my mom's delicious Chinese rice made the perfect ending for the day.

“After returning home, I had breakfast and went to feed my 57 cats, which I absolutely love taking care of.” (Photo courtesy of Fatima Binte Muhammad)

Wednesday:

As the school year begins, I decided to start my day early once again. This morning, I savoured a delicious mango shake for breakfast, setting the tone for a productive day ahead. My first task was crafting a poster to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day for a school project.

In between tasks, I took a moment to do some laundry and spent some quality time with my beloved cats, enjoying their company. Later on, I visited my friend's house, creating wonderful memories together, even though we were just prepping for our Model United Nations (MUN) event. Later, I watched YouTube videos and read a lot of articles, and diligently prepared my speech for the MUN event on Thursday. As the day came to a close, I engaged in a refreshing exercise routine of cardio and ab workouts for about an hour, to clear my mind and rejuvenate myself.

Thursday

This morning began with a delightful strawberry milkshake to energise me for the day. As the sun rose, I delved into thorough preparations for my MUN event. Upon arriving at the venue, my fellow delegates and I initially stumbled through our first speech introducing my country, a mixture of nerves and excitement, but as the day unfolded, we gained clarity and confidence, gradually finding our footing. Our collaboration led to new friendships and meaningful interactions that blossomed as we engaged with a diverse array of people. I met people from different countries, but also participants from Lahore as well.

I’m full of gratitude for my friend Hamna, a guiding presence who contributed significantly to our MUN journey. Wrapping up the event around 8 p.m., I took a moment to unwind before delving back into research on the geographic and political situation of the country I represented, readying myself for the upcoming day's challenges.

“I’m full of gratitude for my friend Hamna, a guiding presence who contributed significantly to our MUN journey.” (Photo courtesy of Fatima Binte Muhammad)

Friday

I started my day with a hearty bowl of porridge for breakfast before dashing off to participate in the Model United Nations (MUN) session, which began at 9 a.m. This particular session focused on crisis scenarios, and I believe it significantly improved my country's rapport with other nations. The experience was truly remarkable, although I did stumble a bit during my speech. As a first-timer, crafting effective speeches using concise points proved to be quite challenging. However, my dad brightened my spirits when he picked me up and treated me to some comforting ice cream.

“The experience was truly remarkable, although I did stumble a bit during my speech. As a first-timer, crafting effective speeches using concise points proved to be quite challenging. “ (Photo courtesy of Fatima Binte Muhammad)

Saturday

Today marked the end of my final Model United Nations (MUN) experience, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness as I bid farewell to the friends I had made throughout the journey. As the crisis committee session came to a close and seamlessly transitioned into an exciting new scenario reminiscent of an Among Us game, I found myself teaming up with delegates from various countries.

In a surprising turn of events, Russia unexpectedly left my side during the simulated crisis, leaving me feeling a mix of emotions 😭. Despite my best efforts, my attempts to salvage the situation and protect my nation fell short. However, I hold no grudges and look back on the experience with fondness and a sense of enjoyment. The camaraderie and shared experiences with fellow delegates made this MUN DISEC 2023 an unforgettable and cherished memory.

I'll undoubtedly miss the lively debates, the diplomatic manoeuvring, and the connections I've forged with delegates from around the world. This MUN journey has left an indelible mark on me, and I'm grateful for the memories it has provided.

Sunday

I'm delighted that my Model United Nations event ended on a positive note! Today, I had a late start, waking up at noon. However, I quickly got to work on my school assignments. I needed to prepare a schedule for the next month to balance my activism and school activities effectively.

After that, I opened my Girl Up club to update it. In my Girl Up club, we have an incredible community of over 50,000 members. Together, we strive to raise funds for underprivileged girls in Pakistan. As a GirlUp admin, managing and regularly posting updates is no easy task, but it's vital to show our commitment to the mission.

Currently, my focus is our club's Girl Up Time Travel project, where we raise funds to support girls who lack access to quality education. We aim to cover their fees, provide uniforms, and offer essential school courses to make a lasting impact.

Once my tasks were complete, I gathered the research for my article and published it on Medium. Sharing my knowledge and inspiring others through writing brings me immense joy. Feeling accomplished, I'm excited for school tomorrow and the opportunities it brings.

With school about to reopen, I am grateful for the opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to my community. Each day is a chance to make a difference and cherish the freedom our nation achieved through the sacrifices of our ancestors. I look forward to embracing each moment with enthusiasm and responsibility.