Tanzila Khan, born and raised in Sialkot, has been a wheelchair user since childhood. She has confronted problems with education and public intimacy early on. At the age of 16, she published her first book, The Story of Mexico, and used its proceeds to fund community projects for the disabled. Tanzila is a public speaker and trainer, with years of experience leading dialogues on disability rights across continents. She’s presented in forums spanning 19 countries, engaging audiences on themes of inclusion. She represented Pakistan at the Skift Global Forum East in Dubai, where she spoke on integrating people from different backgrounds in society. Her vision for inclusion led her to found Girlythings.pk, an initiative that anonymously delivers menstrual and reproductive health products. She continues to create groundbreaking media content, her short comedy film Fruit Chaat, which reflects the everyday experiences of women with disabilities across education and employment.

key achievements

• Amal Clooney Award, Issued by Princes Trust International
• Featured among Six-Two’s 35 Under 35 Human
  Rights Changemakers of 2018
• Young Connector of the Future, Swedish Institute
• Young Leader, Women Deliver
• Khadija tul Kubra Award, national level recognition for advocacy
• Youth Champion at Rise Up, Packard Foundation

Area of focus

• Media and Creative Storytelling
• Menstrual Health Accessibility
• Leadership