Kaukab Stewart was born in Pakistan and moved to the UK when she was six years old. She attended Bellahouston Academy in Glasgow,  Moray House School of Education in Edinburgh and Napier University. Before being elected, she worked as a primary school teacher for nearly 30 years. She was elected to represent Glasgow Kelvin at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. She was Vice Convenor of the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee before becoming Convenor of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. She is the first woman of colour in the Scottish Government.