To celebrate International Women’s Day, Saah Rise, in collaboration with Strategic Youth Paradigm QAU Chapter, Debate and Research Initiative of Pakistan, and Eco Citizens, organized a meaningful session titled “Empowering Women, Inspiring Change.” The event was held at the Economics Hall of Quaid-i-Azam University and brought together students, activists, and academics to celebrate the strength, leadership, and resilience of women.
The session aimed to promote dialogue on gender equality, challenge societal stereotypes, and encourage young people to play an active role in creating a more inclusive society.
The event featured inspiring talks from distinguished guest speakers, including Zaheer ud Din Khawaja, a remarkable 79-year-old cyclist who has spent decades advocating for women’s empowerment through his unique activism. His life story and dedication to gender equality deeply inspired the audience.
Another keynote speaker was Dr. Amna Mobeen, Assistant Professor at the Centre of Excellence in Gender Studies and a PhD holder from NIPS. She shared valuable academic insights on gender dynamics, masculinities, and the importance of structural change in achieving women’s empowerment.
The event also included a special segment highlighting the vision and mission of Saah Rise. Dur E Najaf Zahra, Founder of Saah Rise, delivered an engaging speech about the initiative’s commitment to creating safe spaces, empowering women, working on women’s leadership, untold stories, and advocating for gender justice. Team member Sania Zahra further elaborated on the organization’s inspiration, ongoing activities, and plans.
Representatives from collaborating organizations also shared brief introductions about their initiatives and the importance of youth-led social change. Among them, Ammar Asghar delivered a particularly powerful and motivating speech, emphasizing collective responsibility in building an equitable society.
The event was made even more impactful through the dedicated efforts of Saah Rise volunteers. Mehwish Rahim, one of the organization’s volunteers, stood out as one of the most active contributors throughout the session, assisting in coordination and engagement with participants.
Students from various departments of Quaid-i-Azam University actively participated in the discussion, reflecting strong youth interest in gender equality and social transformation. At the conclusion of the session, E-certificates were distributed to all participants in recognition of their engagement and commitment.
The session concluded on a hopeful note, reinforcing the message that empowering women is not only a social responsibility but also a crucial step toward building a more just and progressive society.
Through initiatives like this, Saah Rise continues to create platforms for dialogue, awareness, and youth engagement, ensuring that the spirit of International Women’s Day translates into meaningful action throughout the year.