Shirin Fozdar
IHFS – Excellence Award (Posthumously) For Female Legal Rights
Shirin Fozdar’s life and work as a pioneering women’s rights activist illustrate her deep commitment to social justice and her significant impact on women’s legal rights in Singapore and beyond. Here’s an overview of her achievements and contributions, reflecting on the key aspects of her legacy:
Early Life and Education
Birth and Background: Shirin was born in India in 1905 to Persian parents who practiced the Baha’i faith. Her upbringing and education in a culturally rich environment exposed her to progressive ideas about equality and social justice.
Public Speaking: At the age of 16, she made history by being the first Eastern woman to deliver a public speech at the Town Hall of Karachi, advocating for universal education. This moment marked the beginning of her lifelong activism.
Activism in Asia
All Asian Women’s Conference: In 1931, she participated in this important gathering in Lahore, focusing on pressing issues like polygamy and child marriage, which showcased her early commitment to fighting for women’s rights on a broader scale.
Public Speaker: Shirin gained recognition as an influential speaker, sharing her views on women’s rights across India and different parts of Asia.
Move to Singapore
New Beginnings: In 1950, Shirin and her husband moved to Singapore to promote the Baha’i faith. Here, she encountered troubling societal norms, such as high divorce rates and the prevalence of polygamy.
Formation of Singapore Council of Women (SCW): Fuelled by her concerns for women’s rights, she convened about 20 progressive women in 1951, leading to the establishment of the SCW in 1952. It quickly grew to 800 members, signalling a strong collective movement for women’s rights.
Key Achievements
Legal Reforms: Under Shirin’s leadership as honorary secretary of SCW, the organization campaigned tirelessly for legal reforms, including a ban on polygamy and enhanced protections for women.
Establishment of the Syariah Court: Through her correspondence with political leaders, including then Chief Minister David Marshall, the Syariah Court was
established in 1958, which provided a more regulated divorce process and significantly reduced the divorce rate within the Muslim community.
Women’s Charter: The inclusion of women’s rights in the People’s Action Party’s 1959 election manifesto ultimately led to the drafting and enactment of the Women’s Charter in 1961, which outlawed polygamy for non-Muslims.
Later Life and Legacy
Work in Thailand: After the death of her husband in 1958, Shirin moved to Thailand to focus on the needs of destitute women and girls. She founded a school in northeastern Thailand, enabling girls to gain an education and pursue livelihoods independent of exploitation. Her contributions were recognized by both Cambodian and Thai royalty.
Return to Singapore: Upon returning to Singapore in 1975, she continued her advocacy through writing and international speaking engagements, promoting inter religious understanding and the principles of the Baha’i faith.
Death and Commemoration: Shirin Fozdar passed away in 1992 at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of courage, advocacy, and empowerment for women. Her belief in using one’s life for the betterment of others is poignantly captured in the poem that reflects her values and principles.