Rosheen Khan-The light footed ground breaker
By Khazima Munaf
Meeting Rosheen Khan, Pakistan’s first ever female qualified “IDC Staff Instructor (IDCS) from PADI California, USA and a Law Graduate from S. M. Law College, was surreal to say the least.
Despite universal declarations and many lip services in several different parts of the world over gender equality, we are aware how it still isn’t a reality. In Pakistan, for example, we continue displaying belief in archaic notions of feminity and keep declaring what should and should not a female do. Rosheen Khan, however, is among the few steel-spined in our society who refused to be cowed.
That first job she landed as office assistant at Yousuf Ali’s Karachi Scuba Diving Centre (KSDC), instantly hooked her to the many fascinating experiences she saw divers exchanging when they would come back from a dive. She said she was intrigued and couldn’t suppress not knowing for herself what secrets the sea held.
Her first dive, she said changed her completely. The serenity and the beauty of the marine life instilled in her such conviction in her dreams of unraveling and exploring the marine life that she willed herself not to compromise on them. Despite her humble background and our typically conservative eastern society to keep her rooted, Rosheen managed to pursue her choice of career.
She tackled our society’s shark phobia, the perception we have here that sea is dangerous and that people do not return once embraced by its depth, gender bias, societal definitions of job of women and the idea of becoming a misfit; all and much more because she had mentally prepared herself for these odds.
On receiving her first Open Water Diver certification she cried, struggling to come to terms with the idea that she did manage to make her dreams a reality. She knew the change she was bringing in the society was initially only visible to her but she understood all of it was very new for our society then. She was happy to cite how much the times have changed. We have thousands today indulging in water based sports at Charna Island and a society aware, if still not very accepting, that these sports are even played by women.
A much-needed change in society comes only when someone takes the first step.
With a Bachelor of Arts degree from Karachi University, simple mannerisms, and a sweet disposition, it is difficult to grapple with the sheer strength and grace Rosheen has exhibited in face of her challenges.
She reckons Saba Qamar can depict her well in her biopic.
Her simple but an incredibly empowering message was for all to not allow anyone dictate what they can or not do. For surely where there is will, there is a way.
