Watch this Face

Issue 99 December 2012

To be top in the world at anything is note-worthy, but to be top in the world at something at the age of 15 is truly remarkable. This is the case for 15-year-old Pakistani student Zainab Hameed.
 

To be top in the world at anything is note-worthy, but to be top in the world at something at the age of 15 is truly remarkable. This is the case for 15-year-old Pakistani student Zainab Hameed. Earlier this year, Zainab and two other students were selected to represent Pakistan at the Karl Popper Debate Championships in Mexico, as part of the International Debate Education Association Youth Forum. Not only did the Pakistan team win the final against South Korea, but all three team members were listed in the top 10 speakers of the tournament, with Zainab ranked first in the whole competition.

“Debating is more than just putting together a case, or deconstructing my opponent’s case,” she says. “There’s a certain thrill you achieve from going up on stage and speaking, from convincing the judges, the audience, and the opposition, that you deserve to win.” She has ambitions to become a lawyer, but would also like to be a role model for younger girls in Pakistan: “I want to inspire the young women of my country to develop goals and work towards them, so as to bring about greater gender equality and tolerance.” 
Words ali khimji
PhotoGRAPH idebate.org