Experts shed light on the importance of women empowerment and gender disparity issues, saying that empowering women is not just a women's issue, but it's everyone's issue in the country while together we can create a more equitable and inclusive world.
They expressed their views at the 8th edition of the British Council's WOW Women of the World Festival which was held in joint collaboration with the WOW Foundation, UNFPA and the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Institute (ECDI).
The two-day festival, free and open to the public, attracted an impressive audience of over 12,000 attendees, marking another milestone in Pakistan's journey towards gender equality and empowerment.
This year's festival marked the second consecutive WOW Festival following its successful expansion from Karachi and Hunza in previous years. The programme featured an engaging blend of panel discussions, workshops, film screenings, immersive performances, a dynamic marketplace, and children's activities.
Attendees were enthralled by a female qawali curated by Arieb Azhar, a musical tribute to Haniya Aslam by Rakae Jamil, and an electrifying dance performance by Suhai Abro.
Literary enthusiasts enjoyed readings by Attiya Dawood and Zambeel, while families were delighted by an interactive pop-up session with Khaled Anam.
Adding to the visual spectacle, the festival showcased a public mural featuring impactful women, created by Summaiya Jillani, and premiered a film on women in the arts by Destination Media, further cementing WOW's role as a powerful platform for celebrating and amplifying women's contributions in Pakistan and beyond.
Maarya Rehman, the Deputy Director at the British Council Pakistan, emphasised the festival's role in tackling crucial gender issues. She expressed, "The WOW Festival continues to be a platform for addressing some of the most critical gender issues of our time. It has been inspiring to witness the courage and resilience of women in Pakistan who are leading the charge for change.
Laila Jamil, the Director of Arts at the British Council Pakistan, highlighted the festival's mission and said, The festival hosted thought-provoking discussions on pressing topics including mental health, climate change, education, women in public spaces, the digital divide, patriarchy, and disability, reflecting the multifaceted challenges women face today.
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