Dr Mahrang Baloch, a prominent human rights activist and leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. She is among 338 nominees for the prestigious award, including 244 individuals and 94 organisations, according to a report of The Balochistan Post.
Another Pakistani citizen, Malala Yusufzai, had won the Nobel Peace Prize a decade ago. Malala had shared this prize with Kailash Satyarthi of India and was only 17, youngest winner of this prize when she got it. Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, 2014. She was given the award for her advocacy for the right to education for children and young people. She has spoken out against the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education in Pakistan.
The news regarding Dr Mahrang Baloch was first reported on X by Norway-based Baloch journalist Kiyya Baloch, who stated that Dr. Mahrang Baloch was nominated in recognition of her advocacy against human rights violations in Balochistan. While the Nobel Foundation keeps nominees’ identities confidential for 50 years, those making the nominations can choose to disclose them and share the information if they so choose.
According to Kiyya Baloch, he was informed by some individuals involved in the nomination process.
During 2023 and 2024, Dr. Mahrang Baloch led multiple protests and long marches to highlight enforced disappearances and other human rights abuses in Balochistan. Her activism has garnered global attention, earning her a place on BBC’s list of the 100 most influential women and recognition by TIME magazine as one of the world’s top emerging leaders.
In 2023, Pakistani authorities prevented her from travelling to New York to attend a TIME magazine event honouring her as one of the 100 rising leaders. The move was widely condemned by human rights organizations worldwide. It will be interesting to see how the Federal government of Pakistan reacts to one of its citizens being nominated to the prestigious award.
Her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize is seen as a major acknowledgment of her struggle for justice and human rights in Balochistan. The news comes a day prior to the International Women’s Day for which the BYC had planned major programmes to be organised all over Balochistan zone-wise.
Towards February-end, the BYC had announced that it wanted to hold programmes highlighting the increasing role of the Baloch women in the struggles being waged against Pakistan’s highhandedness. The announcement regarding Dr Mahrang Baloch’s nomination for the Nobel prize can act as X factor and give a major fillip to these programmes.
A spokesperson of the Baloch Women Forum, in a statement, had emphasised that International Women’s Day on March 8 serves as a reminder of the social, cultural, political, and resistant importance of Baloch women. The statement highlighted that Baloch women have played a significant role, not only in their families and societies but also in the continuous struggle for their national rights. The statement also noted that Baloch women have raised their voices against oppression and injustice, challenging the oppressors and organizing the movement.
The statement said that the struggle of Baloch women in this movement is a significant and ongoing effort. Baloch women have worked to strengthen their position in various fields, raise their voices for their national rights, and strive for social, political, and cultural change. Despite the challenges of state oppression, traditional social structures, cultural restrictions, and the marginalization of women in society, this movement has remained powerful and effective.
Furthermore, the statement added that Baloch women have always worked for the welfare of their nation and have made efforts to bring about change in gender equality, education, and health. The purpose of celebrating this day is to highlight the power and importance of Baloch women and to renew the commitment to protect their rights.
In the final part of the statement, the Baloch Women Forum had said that it will organise various zone programs on this historic day to celebrate the contributions of Baloch women in the national struggle.
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