Sister Zeph

Sister Zeph, born Riffat Arif in 1983/1984, is a Pakistani Christian teacher, women's activist, and philanthropist from Gujranwala. She founded the Zephaniah Women's Education and Empowerment Foundation (ZWEE). Growing up as part of a religious minority, she faced discrimination but excelled academically and socially, publishing her first article on women’s rights at 13 in *Daily Jang*. After leaving school at 13, she taught herself and her younger sister, later passing the tenth grade exam. By 2010 and 2013, she earned master's degrees in political science and history from the University of the Punjab.

In 2013, Sister Zeph won an award granting $20,000 to expand her school and establish a vocational center offering classes in IT, English, stitching, hairdressing, makeup, and martial arts. The center supports local women and funds itself through a clothing line produced by 30 employees. Her organization became registered in 2015 and, by 2016, had educated over 500 girls and empowered 100 more. As of 2023, ZWEE provides free education to 200 students from kindergarten to tenth grade, with many teachers being former students.

Sister Zeph emphasizes compassionate teaching without corporal punishment, valuing education above basic needs like diet and housing. The documentary *Flight of the Falcons* (2015) highlighted her work, earning awards including the Gold Medal at New York Festivals. She has received several accolades, including the 2023 Global Teacher Prize, with prize money allocated to build a better school.