SAAH Rise Team
Dur E Najaf Zahra
Founder & CEO
Dur E Najaf Zahra is a passionate gender rights advocate, social entrepreneur, and founder of SAAH RISE. Hailing from South Punjab, she transformed her lived experiences into a mission to challenge patriarchy and uplift marginalized voices.
With years of work in activism and advocacy, she strives to create inclusive spaces where women and gender minorities can thrive. Through SAAH Rise, Dur E Najaf continues to champion equality and inspire grassroots change for a more just society.
Salman Mahmood
Executive Director
Mr. Salman is a dedicated peacebuilder and the Executive Director of SAAH Rise. An expert in Peace and Conflict Studies and currently pursuing an MPhil in Gender Studies, he brings an interdisciplinary approach to promoting peace and inclusion.
Hailing from Bajaur, a conflict-affected region, Salman has transformed a war-torn mindset into one of creativity and dialogue. With experience working with national and international NGOs, he continues to advance initiatives in conflict resolution, social cohesion, and community empowerment.
Sania Zahra
Managing Director
Sania Zahra is a Medical Anthropologist and Managing Director at SAAH Rise, previously serving as Vice President. Her work focuses on women’s health, health equity, gender, public health, and social inequalities, with a particular interest in the experiences of marginalized and underserved communities. Through research, advocacy, education, and community-based initiatives, she works to amplify women’s voices, address structural barriers to health, and promote more equitable and inclusive communities. As Managing Director, she contributes to shaping SAAH Rise’s strategic direction and developing initiatives that turn knowledge and community needs into meaningful action.
Anoosha Babar
Youth Mobilizer
Anoosha Babar is an anthropologist, social researcher, Youth Mobilizer, and advocate for gender equality dedicated to creating meaningful social change. She holds an MPhil in Social Anthropology from Quaid-i-Azam University, where her research focused on the intersections of medical anthropology, gender, health, and lived experiences in Pakistan. She believes research should not only generate knowledge but also amplify unheard voices and inspire action. She aspires to bridge academia, activism, and policy to build a more equitable and compassionate society.
Shehriyar Ahmed
Head of Research & Development
Shehriyar Ahmed is an MPhil scholar in Gender Studies and leads Research & Development at SAAH Rise. His work focuses on understanding gender-related challenges, social inequalities, and emerging issues affecting communities. At SAAH Rise, he works on identifying critical issues, developing research-informed ideas, and transforming them into practical initiatives that contribute to greater awareness, inclusion, and social change.
Vikesh Kumar
Volunteer Manager
Vikesh is a passionate researcher and Volunteer Manager at SAAH Rise, committed to promoting gender equality and social inclusion. With a strong interest in human development and sustainability, he works to engage youth and communities in meaningful advocacy and research initiatives.
Through his role at SAAH Rise, Vikesh contributes to building an inclusive platform where diverse voices come together to create lasting social impact. He believes that empowering communities through awareness and education is key to achieving real transformation. Inspired by grassroots changemakers, Vikesh continues to explore ways to connect research with action for a more equitable society.
Muhammad Ali
Social Media Manager
As a Social Media Executive at SAAH Rise, I am committed to amplifying voices and driving digital advocacy for women’s empowerment and health equity in Pakistan. Through creative storytelling, strategic campaigns, and meaningful engagement, I aim to build a strong online presence that inspires action and awareness. I believe in the power of social media to challenge societal norms, share untold stories, and connect communities for collective change. By collaborating with our team and involving men as allies, I strive to foster an inclusive digital space where women are empowered to lead, speak, and shape their own narratives.