At age 15, Balkese Anwar migrated to Scotland. She raised 6 wonderful children. Her middle child Kishwar moved to Pollokshields after marriage in 1990.
A well-known face in Pollokshields, Kishwar takes pride in her appearance and is often seen in bright & beautiful colours. Her husband & 7 children adore her, and there’s never a special day missed where she’s not showered with gifts – whether it be Eid, Birthday, Mother’s Day or Valentines!
Kishwar keeps active in the community. She started attending Glendale Women’s Café (GWC) as a participant taking part in lifelong learning activities. Her self-motivation and enthusiasm allowed her to develop skills and take on a variety of roles including a Trustee of GWC and a walk leader. She is not one to say NO when asked to participate in community initiatives – She’s actively taken part in a series of violence against women projects with Glasgow Women’s Library and AMINA Muslim Women’s Resource Centre. For the first time she took part in a theatre production (at the Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery, Pierces Institute and Tramway) where she performed in a powerful play ‘Her Spirit Soared’ highlighting stories of domestic violence in the community.
She shares a special bond with her daughter Farah who often encourages her to think outside the box. Like her mother, Farah is strong-willed, speaks her mind and always ready to take on difficult topics. Being raised in a loving & supportive household has allowed Farah to embrace parts of her culture she aligns with, whilst having the confidence to challenge other parts which hinders women’s equality and rights. Her passion for women’s activism has led her to the role of a Women’s Rights Caseworker at AMINA Muslim Women’s Resource Centre where she continues to support and empower women.
Together, mother and daughter stand shoulder to shoulder, breaking barriers and overcoming cultural hurdles
