The WVL-P is a five-year project implemented by Oxfam between 2019 and 2024, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), as part of the larger WVL program implemented by GAC in 28 countries across the world.
The ultimate outcome of WVL-P is to increase enjoyment of human rights by women and girls and the advancement of gender equality in Pakistan.
The Women's Voice and Leadership - Pakistan project is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
NOTHING ABOUT ME WITHOUT ME
THE WOMEN'S VOICE AND LEADERSHIP PAKISTAN JOURNEY
Each and every year Oxfam does an extraordinary job in shining a spotlight on the rapid movement toward global oligarchy, in which just a handful of billionaires own and control a major part of the world economy. And each year, the movement toward global oligarchy becomes more pronounced and more obscene. Here is the harsh economic reality we must confront: Never before in human history have so few owned so much. Never before in human history has there been such income and wealth inequality Never before in history have we had such huge concentrations of ownership. Never before in history have we seen a billionaire class with so much political power
And never before have we seen this unprecedented level of greed, arrogance and irresponsibility on the part of the ruling class. In the United States, three people own more wealth than the bottom half of society while over 60% of workers live paycheck to paycheck.
Despite massive increases in worker productivity and an explosion in technology, real weekly wages for the average American worker are lower today than they were 50 years ago. But, as Oxfam points out, this is clearly not just an American issue. It is a global issue. Since 2020, while nearly five billion people throughout the world have been made poorer the five richest men on the planet have become twice as wealthy and are now worth more than US$800 billion. More than US$800 billion in wealth – for just five people!
LESLIE SCANLON High Commissioner to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
CHRONICLES OF CHANGE: Nothing About Me Without Me
Participants of WVL-Pakistan's Gender Leadership Program's (GLP) second batch alongside First Secretary (Development) for Global Affairs Canada, Alicia Sosa.
WROs
Alliances
Short Grantee
CHRONICLES OF CHANGE: Nothing About Me Without Me
Since assuming the role of Country Director at Oxfam in 2020, our central focus has been to transform thelandscape for local NGOs and civil society organizations, enabling them to actively participate andinfluence decision-making processes. Aligned with the Grand Bargain and guided by our commitment toa robust development agenda and feminist principles, we are dedicated to strengthening ourcollaborations with local actors. Our objective is to ensure compliance with standards, contribute to theirlong-term institutional capacity for effective financial management and risk mitigation. This strategicapproach not only supports their organizational growth but also champions the cause of women's rights.
Today, extend my heartfelt appreciation to the 12 Women Rights Organizations and 5 Alliances includingtheir leadership that have been an integral part of the WVL-P transformative journey since 2019. Over thecourse of 5 years, these organizations have demonstrated remarkable commitment, and their trust inOxfam and the WVL-P team has been invaluable. This trust and the relationships we have cultivated overthe years are the proud legacy of Oxfam’s work in Pakistan.
extend sincere congratulations to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Oxfam Canada for their exceptionalsupport and contributions in the past 5 years. The genuine empathy and concern demonstrated by ourcolleagues at GAC and Oxfam Canada have been evident in their communications, monitoring, and evaluations, reflecting a true understanding of the challenges faced by women's rights activism in Pakistan.
Special recognition goes to Milestone Communications, our consultant, and the entire WVL team for their collaborative efforts in producing this book. Through personal and organizational stories of change, thisbook captures the remarkable journey of WVL-P
As we embark on a new era defined by progress and empowerment, let us celebrate the emergence ofstronger local institutes, increased awareness of women's rights and leadership, and the strengthening ofa vibrant civil society space in Pakistan.
SYED SHAHNAWAZ ALI Country DirectorOxfam Pakistan125%
Each and every year Oxfam does an extraordinary job in shining a spotlight on the rapid movement toward global oligarchy, in which just a handful of billionaires own and control a major part of the world economy And each year the movement toward global oligarchy becomes more pronounced and more obscene. Here is the harsh economic reality we must confront: Never before in human history have so few owned so much. Never before in human history has there been such income and wealth inequality Never before in history have we had such huge concentrations of ownership. Never before in history have we seen a billionaire class with so much political power
And never before have we seen this unprecedented level of greed, arrogance and irresponsibility on the part of the ruling class. In the United States, three people own more wealth than the bottom half of society, while over 60% of workers live paycheck to paycheck.
Despite massive increases in worker productivity and an explosion in technology, real weekly wages for the average American worker are lower today than they were 50 years ago. But, as Oxfam points out, this is clearly not just an American issue. It is a global issue. Since 2020, while nearly five billion people throughout the world have been made poorer the five richest men on the planet have become twice as wealthy and are now worth more than US$800 billion. More than US$800 billion in wealth – for just five people!
DR. NOREEN KHALID, Team
Lead, WVL-P
Amina Afzal was born into a family in Lahore where the rules seemed etched in stone. Her family, like many others, adhered to traditional beliefs, limiting women to specific professions. But amidst these restrictions, Amina's mother stood as a quiet rebel, creating a space for her children to dream beyond societal norms. "My mother motivated me to pursue education despite the limitations imposed by society," Amina shares, her gratitude evident in each word.
As Amina grew so did her curiosity
She was particularly interested in the work of women's rights organisations, especially Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE), because her own mother had been voluntarily working with this organisation since 2011. After completing her Masters, Amina volunteered with WISE in 2020. She was drawn to the organisation's work with grassroot communities of urban slums in Lahore, especially in her hometown, Shahdra Town.
"Working with WISE opened my eyes to the realities on the ground. We delved into gender issues and discrimination during our sessions with women and girls," Amina recounts. This passion led her to connect with a unique opportunity –the Gender Leadership Program. This initiative, part of the Women's Voice Leadership Pakistan (WVL-P) project by Oxfam, allowed Amina to strengthen her understanding of gender dynamics and enhance her leadership abilities.
Amina describes the experience as being like a newborn child, just getting acquainted with its surroundings. "Understanding power dynamics and its interplay with gender was like a revelation for me. Through GLP grasped the concept of “power within” and its impact on personal and professional aspects of life," Amina shares. As part of her GLP training module, Amina designed and undertook a mini learning project aiming to asses women's stress during the COVID scenario. This led her to design and undertake a change action which may help women to minimise their stress. "Even without a psychology background, I conducted this gender assessment to analyze stress impacting women's lives. It made me realise the importance of addressing these issues in real life even after the COVID situation," Amina says.
Amina's story is not just about breaking barriers but about discovering the power within. From a hesitant volunteer to a fearless project manager and team leader, she navigated societal norms and inspired others to embark on their empowering journeys. "Believe in yourself, and you can overcome anything," Amina concludes, her words carrying the wisdom of a transformative future leader to sustain her changed perspectives and role in her family, community and organisation. CHRONICLES
The GLP trainings broadened Amina's perspective by bringing her exposure to other different women's rights organisations which were visited by the GLPiers as part of the training program. This helped Amina take lead in managing various projects in her organisation (WISE) such as focusing on domestic workers and women's participation in politics.
"Understanding my strengths and weaknesses improved how I worked with my team," Amina reflects, emphasising the transformative effect of self-awareness on her managerial role and gradual growth in professional journey “GLP empowered me to design more effective campaigns in collaboration with other women's rights organisations and my team. delved into power dynamics, applying these insights not only in my personal life but also as a project manager,” Amina explains. Similarly learning about Participatory Rural Appraisal tool as part of another training under WVL-P enabled her to create projects tailored to community needs and facilitate better team management while maintaining a gender focus.
The next phase of Amina's transformative journey came with the Girls on Wheels initiative, a unique gender focused programming by WISE as part of WVL-P grant support. This initiative upfront confronted the traditional expectations surrounding girls' mobility Amina, along with two other young women at WISE, got picked to learn how to ride scooters.
"I had my doubts at first,” Amina shares about how she thought she might not succeed. “Society teaches us to be afraid, but pushed through.
Riding a bike became a symbol of self-belief. tell other girls, 'Your inner strength can help you achieve so much," Amina shares, radiating the confidence that stems from her own empowering journey
Her family went from being hesitant to fully supporting Amina. "My family saw the change in my personality and was more confident in standing up for myself," Amina says, reflecting on how her family's change reflects a bigger shift around her community as well.
Bushra Khaliq is an inspiration for women who have a strong passion in their hearts but are often held back by society "At times, you have to find a middle ground because there are different types of people with different mindsets. There's no assurance that someone would support you. You must be prepared to carve your own path,” she shares.
In 2011, Bushra founded the Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE) to support women's rights along with a handful of likeminded friends. "Back then, funding was scarce, but our hearts were brimming with passion," she recalls with a warm smile. However the path she walked was far from easy
Bushra grew up in a home that was religious, but open-minded. Her extended family who held conservative views, resisted her choices. Even with limited finances, she went on to get a Master's and LLB, being the only one in her family to do so. Challenges continued, and an arranged marriage took her to a village in Punjab province of Pakistan. Against her family's expectations, she took a bold step - starting a school. "My in-laws kept saying that am too different from them, and this became a problem in achieving my dreams," she recalls. Seeing her family affect her work, Bushra decided to move to an urban center of Punjab, Lahore, along with her husband, who supported her Bushra's transformative journey continued with the WVL-P project in 2019. WISE became one of the 12 core organisations under WVL-P
which introduced feminist approaches and useful tools of gender analysis, assessment, programing, and gender budgeting. Bushra acknowledges and values the groundbreaking Capacity Assessment Tool for Gender-Just Organizational Strengthening (CAT4GJO) which was exercised with the team and board members of WISE, aligning their organisational self-reflection into different domains identifying areas of self-improvement and action. “This was the beginning of our organisational transformation”, Bushra reflected.
“We saw where there is a need for improvement in our organisation and decided, as a team, how to engage youth with us and empower them to bring transformation impacting gender inequalities and discrimination. All this became possible through WVL-P's support,” Bushra says. The revolutionary CAT4GJO tool played a crucial role in making WISE a genderjust organisation. The gender-sensitive institutional capacity assessment enabled WISE to align organisational policies and strategies with the program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms by transforming the prevailing ways of working and approach using a feminist lens.
Bushra shares her inspiring vision, stating,
"I dream that one day all the women and girls in my community will be respected and able to access their human rights as a result of my work and the work of others in the field of women's rights."
In Bushra Khaliq's transformative journey her pre-existing commitment to women right activism found a subtle yet profound evolution through the WVL-P. WVL-P not only equipped her organisation with better policies and implementation strategies but also integrated her staff more actively into impactful projects and campaigns. "Our work did not just get better in terms of aligning our team, but also in how we plan and deliver our programs. Before WVL-P, we were engaging with community members, but the project helped us organize and structure our efforts more effectively," she explains. Bushra also values how their policies now align with their mission and vision, enabling the women's rights organisation to empower marginalised communities.
After WVL-P more women became part of the leadership roles and processes at WISE, their programs became more inclusive, and meaningful changes were brought to engage communities at the grassroots level. “You can see that 90% of the staff in our organisation is women and the governing body is also led by women.”
Bushra was amazed to see a boost of confidence in four of her team members, after they took part in Oxfam's Gender Leadership Program.
“These women are empowered with essential programing and management skills, gender knowledge, and support to navigate and challenge societal gender imbalances, enhancing their confidence and leadership abilities,” she highlights. Bushra takes pride in the increased awareness and gender sensitisation of the staff through various capacity strengthening inputs provided under WVL-P. “Our staff doesn't just work within the organisation, but also handle GenderBased Violence cases around them because they are now equipped with the necessary information about laws and are always ready to help,” she shares.
There is now a safe and inclusive space for women and a conducive working environment at WISE where all staff members feel heard and seen. “Most of the team members come from working-class backgrounds, and these are women who usually don't get the chance to be part of a fair and equal organisation,” Bushra expresses. But at WISE, they are the leaders, and they are the ones at the forefront. Riding on their bikes – as part of WISE's flagship initiative under WVL-P called Girls on Wheels – these young women from WISE drive around Lahore fearlessly The staff at WISE is not just creating change in their workplace but everywhere they go, in their communities, and homes.
Participants of WVL-Pakistan's Gender Leadership Program's (GLP) first batch alongside Deputy Director
In Bahawalpur, an area seeped in traditions of the past, Humaira Sharif stands out as a symbol of a daring feminist change leader for her community's women and girls. Against a stark contrast of a conservative culture, she is on a journey to become a powerful leader for gender equality.
From facing initial opposition to leading the process of change with hundreds of women and girls, Humaira's story highlights the profound impact of Oxfam's programs on her personal and professional growth. In Humaira's own words, "Oxfam's GLP and WVL-P are big milestones in my life, and they have given me the chance to rebuild myself and empowered me to achieve something concrete in my life and professional career.”
Reflecting on her early days, Humaira shares, "I was the first ever girl child of my family to get admitted to a school. My father's decision was met with resistance from relatives, but he stood firm. made an oath to prove that my father made the right
Supported by her father Humaira participated in local elections, challenging stereotypes, and winning a seat as the youngest female General Councilor "I became a role model for my siblings, inspiring them to break free from societal constraints," she remarked. However, societal opposition persisted. Despite this, she started her own small community-based organisation and continued to work in the development sector
The real transformation occurred when Humaira became part of Oxfam's WVL-P She joined this initiative through the Pakistan Rural Workers Social Welfare Organisation (PRWSWO), where she now works as a Project Officer
"Before WVL, our policies and rules were not very clearly understood and accessible to staff, but now they're on every desk. We revisit them every three months and everyone in the team gives their thoughts," she says.
WVL-P facilitated discussions on feminist principles, emphasizing the importance of adapting messages to the cultural context. "Understanding the community's sentiments became a priority It wasn't about imposing ideas but encouraging understanding within our own cultural framework," she explains. In the past, women attendees were discouraged by men in their families from participating in PRWSWO's events, fearing that the organisation would brainwash them.
However, Humaira shares that the team changed their ways of working to engage communities differently for example, working more closely with them and building on their local wisdom and realities which have changed their mindset and behaviors. This helped increase women and girls' participation. 'We were able to engage over 400 women in one of our local initiatives during 16 Days of Activism campaign. The participation of women has increased which is a big shift in our cultural context,' shared Humaira. Additionally, Humaira and her team organise theatre dramas and discussion forums focused on women's rights and Gender-Based Violence, exclusively for women, which has also served as a meaningful way of engaging communities. decision, and therefore considered education as a path to my selfempowerment." Despite facing challenges and moving to the city for education, Humaira's family continued to struggle with conservative mindsets. As a young girl, she faced the
unwelcoming attention of men on the streets. Recalling those difficult days, Humaira says, “If a boy catcalled us or whistled, we would feel harassed, but my mother had always preached to ignore such environments and pass by silently We were never encouraged to stand up for ourselves.''
The program equipped her organisation, PRWSWO, with valuable skills, knowledge and technical tools such as the Capacity Assessment Tool for Gender-Just Organizational Strengthening (CAT4GJO), offering a fresh perspective on their achievements and untapped potential. "Oxfam strengthened my organisation's capacity and empowered me to become a leader," Humaira acknowledges. The project also made them rethink their policies at work. Humaira led the way in making sure they had clear policies about keeping women safe at workplace, stopping harassment, and strengthening the grievance redressal mechanism.
Humaira's journey within WVL-P included participation in the Gender Leadership Program (GLP). "GLP was a life-changing experience. It facilitated us to look inwards – a place we usually forget to look,” she explains. The program enabled her to navigate conflicts within the organisation while maintaining selfrespect. The GLP sessions, including self-assessment and personal reflection, opened new doors for Humaira, allowing her to recognise her own value and importance. Humaira shared her initial struggles within the organisation, especially conflicts with male staff members, and how GLP enabled her to deal conflicts by exercising leadership insights. "We were taught the zig-zag approach – a skill crucial for addressing issues in our society without taking things personally WVL-P not only gave us a platform but also empowered us to stand our ground and reshape our narratives," Humaira adds. "GLP empowered me to realise that had been working all along for others, but never thought about myself.”
CHRONICLES OF CHANGE: Nothing About Me Without Me
CHRONICLES OF CHANGE: Nothing About Me Without Me
From an early age, Iqra Gulzar noticed the widespread gender inequalities around her. Growing up alongside five sisters, she intimately understood the challenges that young girls in Pakistan face. Living in Karachi, a city infamous for its rising violence, 28-year-old Iqra was no stranger to an unjust society. Even within the walls of her own home, she felt the weight of having to prove her worth, excelling in academics to secure her place in a society where women were marginalised. However, Iqra was hesitant to speak up about gender inequality issues.
She passionately chose Development Studies as her major, which she now recognises as a miraculous fate. During her university years, she was never given space to discuss gender-related topics openly After graduation, she pursued work in the development sector related to education. But it was in 2020 when she felt she was coming closer to her life's aspiration and goal. She joined the National Organization for Working Communities (NOW Communities) in 2020, working for the WVL-P project by Oxfam. During the capacitystrengthening training facilitated by Oxfam, she heard about people's experiences, hardships, and challenges. "I cried listening to the tough situations our community women go through," she shared, highlighting the emotional impact of the WVL-P program.
“WVL-P gave me a steppingstone to take up space. My inner strength and self-confidence have motivated me to choose my pathway to empowerment even if it is different from what others agree to.”
There was always a voice in Iqra's head saying “This is not right,” empathising women's situation in Pakistani society After becoming part of the WVL-P project, her perspective was validated. “It becomes difficult to cope after learning the harsh realities of society. During the training, we shared so many personal aspects of our lives that I never thought I'd be able to discuss—about myself, about my family.” The Gender Leadership Program further strengthened her understanding of feminist principles which she applied to manage everyday problems. “Now, I'm not scared of what people think," Iqra emphasised, highlighting a newfound confidence in her opinions and decisions. “It's not just part of my workplace, but it has become part of my personality. Even when I'm watching a drama or the news, see it from a feminist lens. And think it's a great practice," she reflected.
GLP didn't just stop at personal growth for Iqra; it also provided her with an inclusive support system. "My circle now includes people from all ages and cultures, and have contacts all over Pakistan. learn so much from these women," she expressed. “For women, it's important to have safe spaces to share personal and professional issues.
Finding trustworthy people for coping with some personal life affairs is rare and think even after WVL-P ends, this community will remain, and the trust built will always stay ” Earlier, Iqra only socialised with her university friends and her exposure was limited. WVL-P empowered her to become more inclusive within her networks. "When we meet people from other cities, we learn about different cultures and backgrounds, and this made me more accepting of the differences,'' shares Iqra WVL-P not only enabled Iqra to become a leader but also strengthened the capacity of her organization, NOW Communities. “We consciously create spaces for women when hiring; realising that 70% of the staff should be women in a genderjust organisation,'' says Iqra. NOW Communities has implemented new practices for the well-being of its employees, inspired by the support and training received by Oxfam.
"I used to think talking about women's rights wasn't positive. Now, proudly say I'm a feminist, and have learnt to respond conflicts amicably and assertively using my power within" Iqra admitted, sharing her personal journey of overcoming preconceived notions about women's rights activists.
She also realized she has the right to take up space and articulate her opinions. “I used to have frequent conflicts as I took things personally Now have confidence in my own opinions. If others don't agree with that, it's their choice to have disagreements which is fine to me now WVL-P has helped me resolve myself and act as a rationale leader,'' reflects Iqra.
“We can't bring any change alone," Jalwa emphasized, acknowledging collaborative efforts with youth, women, and her team. Her dreams for women expanded beyond the local community, making her a bridge connecting women from different provinces and cities. Jalwa, fueled by her own transformation, now dedicates herself to impacting the lives of countless women in Mardan. She provides a safe space for them to share their issues and actively creates a community space that fosters positive change. Jalwa's journey stands as an inspiring example, showcasing how personal transformation can become a catalyst for a broader, positive shift within her organization and community.
Living in KPK's conservative city of Mardan, Jalwa Seher faced many societal notions that painted women as the culprits behind the chaos. She struggled with the weight of these beliefs and even questioned her own identity as a woman. Jalwa's life was filled with all kinds of challenges. At the age of six months, she was diagnosed with polio and was bullied for her disability “I even had to face forced marriage attempts from my family, but I stood my ground along with the support of my mother,” she shares. Jalwa's mother, Naseem, didn't lose hope and started treatment of her daughter After a few years, Naseem established the Ujala Seher Organization (USO) in 2004, specifically aimed at aiding disabled women in Mardan.
As a teenager, Jalwa actively engaged in her mother's initiatives, becoming a student at the school for disabled girls within their home. In 2012, she volunteered for a development organization, exposing the gaps in societal norms, and igniting a passion for championing women's rights. Her determination led her to attain a master's degree in Psychology and later work as a business trainer on a community project.
In 2020, Oxfam's Women's Voice and Leadership Pakistan (WVL-P) project became the next chapter in Jalwa's journey She was hired as a project coordinator in USO for the WVL-P However the initial hesitations loomed large as she navigated the dominant male environment at work.
“I had doubts about my own decisions, and nobody gave me space to talk or share. was not taken seriously because of my disability, young age, and gender,” she says, emphasizing that she didn't feel ready for her position.
Oxfam's conducted trainings, which included PRA Tools, gender budgeting, and women's rights advocacy, played a key role in Jalwa's transformation, she shares.
In 2020, Oxfam's Women's Voice and Leadership Pakistan (WVL-P) project became the next chapter in Jalwa's journey She was hired as a project coordinator in USO for the WVL-P However the initial hesitations loomed large as she navigated the dominant male environment at work.
“I had doubts about my own decisions, and nobody gave me space to talk or share. I was not taken seriously because of my disability young age, and gender,” she says, emphasizing that she didn't feel ready for her position. Oxfam's conducted trainings, which included PRA Tools, gender budgeting, and women's rights advocacy, played a key role in Jalwa's transformation, she shares.
One of the prominent aspects of WVL-P was the Gender Leadership Program (GLP) which Jalwa got a chance to participate in. Despite facing negative experiences from men, GLP enabled her to recognize the principle that a true leader treats everyone equally She recognized that to be successful, she had to learn how to deal with different personalities and genders and effectively communicate with them in her organizations.
“A leader brings everyone together, regardless of their gender,” Jalwa explains. Rather than taking her personal experiences of discrimination, Jalwa delved into understanding the power dynamics attached to both women and men. Initially struggling with the idea of misusing power, she learned to navigate these dynamics to promote equality and unity among team members. Other GLP tools equipped her with the importance of communication within cultural contexts. Using the Zig Zag approach, she tackled challenges in the community and within her organization.
The second module of GLP was a game-changer – Jalwa redesigned her workplace, creating new opportunities and spaces for women and launching a mini gender learning project focusing on early child marriage issues. She met with survivors of early child marriage offered them psychosocial support and organized entertainment activities using creative art and fun.
After completing GLP training, Jalwa was chosen as the Executive Director of USO by the board members. Boosted by newfound confidence and shedding self-doubts related to her disability Jalwa led impactful decisions guided by Oxfam's principles like 'Do no harm' and 'Nothing without me, about me.'. She established a resource centre with a helpline, emphasizing long-term sustainability This transformed USO into a more gender-just organization with clear policies, strategic plans, and improved record-keeping centred around core principles and values.
In the community, Jalwa's consistent efforts over four years bore fruit –new women leaders emerged, challenging societal norms. Despite initial resistance, substantial improvements could be seen. The transformative journey wasn't onesided; men within Jalwa's organization initially struggled with the newfound female leader's confidence. However, replicating GLP learning alongside the other new knowledge and skills acquired through WVL-P capacitystrengthening initiatives within the organization and community gradually shifted men's attitudes towards gender equality issues.
Maryum's story isn't just a usual success story; it's a journey of setting new norms. As she keeps going, her impact on her community and society is set to stay, proving how powerful education, understanding, and a strong commitment to a fair world can be.
Maryum Iqbal, at 26, is shaping new expectations and paving her own way from the small town of Rahim Yar Khan in Pakistan. Empowered with a master's degree from Government College University Faisalabad, Maryum's journey started with a passionate commitment to education and societal change.
After completing her education, she started working as a Cluster Coordinator at Idara-e-Taleem-oAgahi in 2019, where she made meaningful contributions for two years. In search of new opportunities, she relocated to the urban city of Multan in Punjab, joining the Roshni Welfare Organization as an Education Expert in 2021. Quickly recognized for her expertise, she was selected for the position of Project Manager under the Women's Voice and Leadership Pakistan (WVL-P) program by Oxfam.
The WVL-P initiative played a crucial role in positively changing Maryum's life. Through training sessions, including dynamic tools like Participatory Rural Appraisal, and Psycho-Social Well-being and Stress Management, she was enabled with valuable skills. In Multan, where conservative mindsets prevailed, she skillfully used conflict management tools to make sure her voice was heard amid societal norms.
Reflecting on her positive changes, Maryum shares, "The training on handling stress and emotions was like having a toolbox. shared these tools with my roommates in the hostel, teaching them ways to deal with stress. Seeing them pick up these ideas, one even started painting to cope with stress. It hit me – society needs more of this.”
Her influence expanded with guidance from Oxfam. Initiating conversations about women's rights and laws, she empowered women to decide the terms on their marriage certificates, reshaping perspectives on consent. She discovered that many women lacked awareness about the significance of a marriage certificate.
Alongside Maryum's personal transformation, her organization, Roshni, underwent a positive change following the WVL Pakistan project. With Roshni, Maryum has established five schools in four union councils of Multan and focused on addressing the issue of early-age marriages. Roshni also welcomed a woman president and ideas like Feminist MEAL and gender budgeting which made the organization more inclusive. "Empowering every voice within our organization, we've made a rule to ensure everyone provides consent for pictures and videos. This commitment isn't just a rule; it's our commitment to create a safer and more respectful environment for all,” she explains.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Maryum finds unwavering support from her family encouraging open conversations that raise awareness about child safety Her project in Multan focuses on educating young children, driven by a genuine concern for vulnerable groups within her community. Importantly her experiences have also reshaped her perspective on gender dynamics in her workplace. As a project manager she saw the positive effects of having women leaders. Feminist principles weren't just guidelines; they were what she used to make decisions, showing empathy, and changing how people think.
"I took in the idea that decisions about me should include me. Empathy became my way of thinking, especially when planning things for working-class women," Maryum says. Changing her approach from strict planning to getting everyone involved, she followed the 'Do No Harm' principle taught by Oxfam.
CHRONICLES OF CHANGE: Nothing About Me Without Me
“When you figure out what you want for yourself, your life begins to change in a big way.”; with unwavering determination, Najma Falak from Lower Dir, KPK, shares her tale of empowerment.
Najma Falak's journey is not just a story; it's a beacon of hope for other women in the area to enable them to lead their empowerment journey by overcoming gender barriers and stereotypes and becoming powerful community women leaders. Her continuous commitment to change herself serves as an inspiration for all on the path to gender equality and empowerment. To continue her journey of empowerment and advocacy she emphasized the need to build women-towomen networking, building alliances, and engaging them in ongoing self-reflective processes.
Najma faced challenges in pursuing education as there were no schools for girls in her area. She attended a boy's primary school for a year before switching back to a girl's school. Despite the lack of educational facilities, her family including her elder brothers and mother, emphasized education. Married at a young age, despite encountering many difficulties, she continued her education privately and passed her matriculation. Her journey in the development sector started in 2003 as a social organizer, where she worked for three years before taking a break due to family responsibilities. In 2013, she seized the opportunity to work again as a field coordinator with temporary displaced communities. During COVID, she recognized the need to financially support her family A friend's recommendation led her to join Development Empowerment Women Association (DEWA), Najma joined this WRO as a Feminist MEAL officer and thereby became part of Oxfam's Women's Voice and Leadership Pakistan (WVL-P) project. Upon joining DEWA, she immediately sensed the distinctiveness of her role as MEAL officer where she was responsible for introducing feminist ways of assessing the change happening through the program. Sharing her initial reaction, she says, “I could see that this is different from the previous work have been doing.”
The Gender Leadership Program (GLP), a key component of WVL-P became a life-changing opportunity for her The program's design focused on personal skill development and left a lasting impact. During the first training module, she and her peers engaged in introspective exercises like the 'River of Life,' mapping past experiences and envisioning future goals as a woman leader “It triggered a wave inside me, and I thought that now should put all this learning into practice,” she explains. As she progressed through GLP her understanding of power dynamics, gender and self-identity evolved. The program empowered participants to lead and design small gender learning projects, creating tangible changes in their communities.
Acknowledging the hurdles she faced, Najma discussed the critical role GLP played in her personal and professional growth. “I challenged a lot of the stereotypes that had. Change always starts with oneself,” she emphasizes.
Her journey reached a significant milestone when she was promoted to the position of Executive Director in September 2020. Her passion for the GLP training, designed with meticulous attention, led to internalized learning and continuous reflection. Oxfam's Capacity Assessment Tool for Gender-Just Organizational Strengthening (CAT4GJO) became a catalyst for change within DEWA. Feminist policies were established, leading to tangible improvements such as a dedicated space, a separate washroom for women and pick and drop service for female staff members. Najma, in her role as Executive Director, prioritized inclusivity She shares, “I take both men and women in the organization together and listen to everyone intently.”
Najma brought a lot of positive change to the conservative Pashtoon community in Lower Dir. Overcoming her gender barriers and societal taboos, she engaged with the community women in rural Dir Lower and empowered them to become entrepreneurs. “It's considered inappropriate in our culture for women to even be seen on the streets, but have successfully learned how to engage women in the community and even prepare them to become entrepreneurs,” she proudly shared.
Reflecting on her personal journey, Najma shares, “I felt a lot of change in my home too. Now smartly handle my responsibilities by dividing my work amongst other family members and not taking the load on me.” She values her work both at home and in the office, emphasizing effective communication and encouraging her daughters to choose their own paths. Despite societal stigmas, her husband's unwavering support has been worth mentioning.
“Change doesn't follow a straight path; it's more like a spiral. As we go through it, we start to understand different parts of the problem, and things become clearer over time.”
Nighat Seema, a 46-year-old woman from Mardan, is one of the many examples whose journey of transformation unfolded through the Women's Voice Leadership Pakistan (WVL-P) program.
“I worked for marginalized communities for nine years since I joined the development sector, but I always treated it as a job,” she reflected.
“Most of those organizations were dominated by men where women were not allowed to voice their opinions or make any decisions. There was no safe and inclusive space for women to meet up freely at the workplace.” She was hesitant to speak up and lacked the confidence to communicate her needs. Understanding the irony of the situation, Nighat shared, “I worked for the rights of other people, but couldn't even stand up for my own rights.”
Though Nighat has faced multiple challenges yet crossing the gender barriers, she is on her pathway to empowerment and leadership in a women's rights organization in the conservative culture of Pakhtunkhwa and weaving footprints which lead to the empowerment of other women.
“There is a stigma attached to working women in general especially those employed in nongovernment organizations in Mardan,” said Nighat. “People think such women are outspoken, fearless to work with men and may impact other women too.” That is why Nighat often had to conceal her true profession, claiming to be a teacher when questioned about her job. While her close family knew about her working in an NGO. She therefore took extra care to cover herself properly as per the cultural norms and values while performing her job.
After joining the Saiban Development Organization (SDO) as a MEAL officer in 2020, Nighat started to view herself in a different zone. When she joined the WVL-P project, initially, things remained unchanged. She continued to be silently performing her job role both at the office and at home. The fear of being ridiculed for working in an NGO held her back. However, Oxfam's Gender Leadership Program (GLP) enabled her to gradually find the courage to break her silence. “The best thing about GLP was that it started with the self and ended with the self too. It was about deeply understanding oneself, thinking about power in personal and organizational settings, and handling conflicts.” The GLP empowered her to navigate power dynamics within the organization and reclaim space not only for herself but also for other women colleagues.
Nighat witnessed a change in herself, empowering her to make decisions like expression of her own interests and choices, expressing her opinions, and advocating for other women. “I realized that exist, my self is valued, and can make a difference within myself and my organization as well.”
In the reflective River of Life sessions during GLP training, Nighat and her peers mapped their leadership journeys, setting future goals and visions. The interactive training modules facilitated open and nurturing conversations, fostering an environment for self-reflection on topics like power leadership, conflict resolution, and self-empowerment. she further emphasizes the importance of a support system: “In our society, we cannot survive alone and are interdependent. We need people who support us.” At Oxfam's GLP training, Nighat met like-minded women leaders who inspired her onto her roadmap of empowerment.
Along with Nighat's transformation, her organization - SDO also progressed towards becoming a more gender-just Organization. “Personal and organizational transformation are connected. am now the executive director of SDO, unimaginable a few years back in a conservative Pashtoon area.” Consciously creating an inclusive environment, Nighat reflects the use of feminist principles in organizational policies, strategies, and programming at SDO.
“The Senior Vice President, Vice President, General Secretary and Joint Secretary on our board are now women. Our policies and programs are now more gender-just and fair towards women working in our organization as well as in the community.”, she gladly shared.
Recognizing her own power as a woman leader Nighat embraces inclusive decision-making. “It's not that can't take sole decisions but encourage everyone to share their opinions, especially the field staff because, most of the time, they know about the community's needs better than do.” She arranged a women's rights poetry event during the 16 Days of Activism campaign. It was the first time such an event happened in Mardan, and all the poets were women. Her determination made it possible to organize this event in a conservative area, breaking new ground for women's voices.
Nighat's personal life has also changed and she was able to show nonconformity and ignore stereotypes about how she should look and behave. “During WVL-P, realized how to speak for myself and those who need my help. realized that if a man can ask for his rights, I can too. strongly feel that I am being properly heard in my family equally as my husband.”
"Change begins with a single voice and centers around a belief that there is always a better way,” says Sadaf Ajmal from Quetta, a former doubter of societal discrimination, now a fearless advocate for the rights of women and persons with disabilities. “I didn't see it before, but when you open your eyes, you can't close them again,” said dreaming Sadaf.
Initially unaware of the profundity of women's rights discrimination and the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, Sadaf's perspective shifted gradually when she attended awareness sessions with her sister, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. These sessions not only opened Sadaf's eyes to the issues but also ignited a passion to actively raise her voice for the differently able persons in society Leaving her banking job, Sadaf founded Breaking Barriers for Women (BBW), embarking on a mission to challenge preconceived notions about people living with a disability
Her journey took a transformative turn when she became part of the Women's Voice and Leadership Pakistan (WVL-P) program by Oxfam, where she unlearned old beliefs. Oxfam's capacitystrengthening avenues challenged her perspective, offering a new angle to view the world.
As the participation of women and girls raised manifold in the community sessions Sadaf remains hopeful to continue the momentum through a self-motivated cadre of local volunteer youth.
Beyond the WVL-P initiative, Sadaf envisions sustained community efforts fostering collaboration, unity, and youth leadership. Supporting marginalized communities is emotionally demanding, but Sadaf takes comfort in the small positive changes her work brings about at the local level. Empathy, stepping into someone else's shoes, helps us grasp problems as if experiencing them ourselves. Supported by friends and peers, she navigates challenges, fueled by the belief that her work brings illumination and positive transformation in the lives of women connectors engaged in the journey of leadership and empowerment.
It's unnecessary to experience issues firsthand to acknowledge their existence, as she shares her learning. “GLP made me look at myself and my potential in a whole new light, and started to think about my strengths and weaknesses in totality.” Particularly getting exposure to the women's leadership concepts was life-changing. Getting to know yourself and recognizing your individual power enabled me to become a better leader, Sadaf elucidates. The unique initiative of the Gender Leadership Program (GLP) acted as Sadaf's metaphorical "surgical lights," providing focused illumination in her leadership approach. Through GLP, she unlearned old beliefs, gained a new perspective, and internalized the concept that precision and clarity are vital in addressing gender issues.
In her transformative journey with the WVL-Pakistan program, Sadaf not only embraced the powerful learnings of the Gender Leadership Program and other capacity-strengthening initiatives under WVLP-P but also discovered the profound importance of sisterhood. Through the program, she learned that creating space for women to support each other is not just a concept but a means for empowerment. The camaraderie and shared experiences within her community of women leaders fostered an environment where mutual support thrived.
Sadaf realized that by intentionally creating space for dialogue, collaboration, and understanding, women could amplify their collective voices and champion each other's success. “I was inspired after meeting women leaders from different parts of Pakistan who are doing amazing work in their fields.”
Living in Quetta, where women's selfautonomy is not traditionally encouraged, the program equipped her with the tools to lead, breaking free from the constraints imposed by conventional gender roles. Now, as the executive director of BBW, Sadaf has learned to use the power within to support other women and make them into women's collective and better lead BBW as a gender-just women's rights organization.
As Sadaf's beliefs transformed, so did her organization. Oxfam's training in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools and gender budgeting reshaped the way she interacted with communities. “We designed campaigns with a focus on the needs of the people. Community initiatives like the women's and girls' protection helpline and paracounseling sessions for GenderBased Violence survivors were started, empowering women and girls in marginalized areas in and around Quetta city.”
The Concept Cafe, an initiative led by Sadaf, brought together 33 women from diverse backgrounds in Balochistan. Lawyers, academics, doctors, students, and activists found a shared safe space to express their lived experiences, goals, and aspirations. They converged their distinct strengths into collective agency to bring change in their own lives and those they engage with. Moreover employment opportunities for persons with disabilities were created on a small scale, promoting inclusivity "Today, the changes BBW brought through using creative art and unique ways of engaging communities is because of our exposure to WVL-Pakistan,' Sadaf acknowledges.
“Oxfam's WVL-P assistance in designing our organizational policies, strategic plans, gender just programing, and budgeting systems helped us to evolve a sustainable WRO than before. They also made sure these policies and plans were implemented,” Sadaf highlights. Regular meetings, quarterly reflections, and collaboration with other women's rights organizations keep Breaking Barriers for Women on track. We discuss what is going right or wrong and plan next month's events more logically and objectively than before.
"All that we do comes from the community. To truly make a difference, we must not only listen to our voices but also to the voices of those around us." - Saira Falak Saitho, a 31-year-old Program Manager at ARTS Foundation in Mirpurkhas, Sindh is making a difference in women's lives around her She is enabling them to learn about their legal rights and empowering them to bring positive change to their communities. But Saira's journey was filled with challenges and hardships, which she bravely overcame to become a source of inspiration for others.
"My family was very narrow-minded, and girls were not encouraged to seek education, especially after class 5.” Despite that, her mother was determined to educate her daughters. They faced financial problems, and her father didn't want to help with her studies. But Saira graduated and got a job with her mother's support. Saira also faced workplace harassment while working as an HR manager for a company Although she filed a case against the General Manager responsible for the act, thus family pressure discouraged her from pursuing it further fearing damage to her reputation as a young girl. Compelled by family expectations, Saira changed jobs, got married, and tragically lost her husband just 14 months later leaving her with a son. "People made me realize myself alone; without husband which put me in many unease situations as a young widow,” she recalls. Under such circumstances, Saira started looking for taking support from some women's rights organizations.
Her search led her to the ARTS Foundation, where she was hired for Oxfam's Women's Voice and Leadership Pakistan (WVL-P) project. This was a big change from her previous work experiences, as she moved from working in a corporate environment to being part of a team that was directly involved with rural communities. The turning point in her journey came with WVL-P's Gender Leadership Program (GLP), which enabled her to handle difficulties, control her feelings, and listen from her heart. "Listening is the primitive art of love," she stresses, highlighting how understanding different personalities around someone and practicing a caring attitude about people makes you a better leader The knowledge and experience she gained from the WVLP program empowered her to speak up for human and women's rights and helped her create safe spaces for women to interact and listen to each other's lived realities.
“This experience is even more valuable than my 6 years earlier in corporate jobs." WVL-P not only opened doors for Saira beyond local borders but also provided her with opportunities to contribute to other ongoing projects as a trainer The WVL-P's holistic approach to capacity strengthening left a lasting impact on Saira. "I learned in detail about pro-women laws, GBV referral mechanisms, cybercrime, selfdefense, negotiation skills as well as social media skills. Now actively conduct training sessions on these topics with for working girls and women in Mirpurkhas.”
Saira also learned how to engage with men in the community and make them positive allies to support women's rights work. Now her organization (ARTS Foundation) is better able to systematically engage men as part of gender-just programming. Despite being a survivor of harassment from men, she has unlearnt beliefs that not all men are the same. For her to be a genderjust leader she needs to work together in collaboration with both men and women.
This hands-on experience in the community, combined with theoretical knowledge of gender, power, and intersectionality has transformed Saira into a more skilled professional and competent leader to perform her role as a project manager in WVL-P Looking ahead, Saira envisions that the leadership skills she gained from WVL-P will endure, making her impact even more widespread after the project concludes.
Saira's use of the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tool enabled her to better engage with the community where she is confidently applying as part of WVL-P program planning and implementation. This includes the development of a seasonal calendar which is a tool to map women's engagement in productive labor during the year especially in agriculture or rural communities. This helped in engaging community women who are involved in chili picking in the farm fields in rural areas of Mirpurkhas. Another tool is to map a daily diary to know the most appropriate time when women could engage during a community-based project intervention.
In a society bound by outdated norms, Shakira Gul, a 45-year-old woman defied the odds, challenging the status quo to pave the way for a brighter future. Her story is not just about challenges; it's about resilience, determination, and making a difference in a world that needs it the most.
Shakira grew up in a family where education wasn't common, but she became the first woman in her family to pursue higher studies. “It wasn't an easy journey; every step was a battle," she says with determination. With a degree of M.S. in Statistics, Shakira set an example in her community Her family, though hesitant initially, stood by her side, supporting her education. But when she started her job, she faced resistance, especially from her father who doubted her choice of working and earning a living. Coming from a conservative Pashtoon background, societal norms often discourage women from taking on the role of breadwinners.
Turning adversity into an opportunity, Shakira started teaching children from her neighborhood in the four corners of her home. What began as a small initiative became a school in her house, where she teaches women of all ages. "I run that school now teaching primary classes to women of all ages," she proudly shares.
Shakira's journey into activism started seven years ago when she joined the Association of Business, Professional & Agricultural Women (ABPAW). Her commitment deepened as she engaged with other women's rights organizations using ABPAW's platform, However her independence became a challenge in her personal life. "In our society they don't find women like me suitable for marriage as they are financially independent," she reflects.
The turning point came with the Women's Voice and Leadership Pakistan (WVL-P) initiative by Oxfam. For three years, Shakira actively engaged in Oxfam's capacity strengthening initiatives These initiatives covered a wide spectrum, from advocacy proposal writing, use of digital tools, community programming, gender budgeting, and office management, providing her with extensive knowledge and proficiency in organizational operations. “This training empowered me to recognize the inherent strength within myself, enabling me to use it responsibly to create a positive impact in my work.”
The Gender Leadership Program (GLP) played a crucial role in shaping her into a leader advocating for gender equality in her community "GLP taught us how to navigate through societal resistance and speak up for women's rights," she emphasizes. For Shakira, GLP wasn't just training; it was a chance to discover more about herself. " see a lot of change in
myself and my organization too," she notes. GLP encouraged introspection, empowering her to raise her voice for women's rights, and addressing even the smallest desires of girls, like playing sports. This newfound empowerment also led her to advocate for the right to entertainment for women and the implementation of no harassment and safeguarding policies for marginalized groups in society
For Shakira, life has transformed into a journey that is no longer about being restricted and barred from living her truth, but about being free, open, and embracing every aspect of life. With a fearless mindset gained through WVL-P she now confidently navigates challenges, embodying the essence of what she truly wants in her life.
"I think see this work as something that was always meant to do, and it brings me complete satisfaction knowing that I am bringing a positive change in society through my efforts," Shakira concludes.
Being a part of ABPAW Shakira worked as the master trainer for Child Protection. After being a part of WVL Pakistan, she organized public awareness sessions focusing on health, and safeguarding, and actively spoke out against child rights and safety in different schools of KPK. Her organization, ABPAW, has established comprehensive documentation and policies, transforming into a gender-inclusive organization.
Group Photo
Dr Noreen Khalid Team LeadWomen's Voice and Leadership- Pakistan
Uzma Zarrin Program ManagerWomen's Voice and Leadership- Pakistan
Erum Sharif MEAL CoordinatorWomen's Voice and Leadership- Pakistan
Abdul Mabood Program OfficerWomen's Voice and Leadership- Pakistan
Bilal Masud Program AssistantWomen's Voice and Leadership- Pakistan
Kanwal Manzoor Advocacy Media and Communications ManagerWomen's Voice and Leadership- Pakistan
Fozia Akhtar Roxanne Murrell Program Officer, International Programs, Oxfam Canada
Richa Sharma
© Oxfam International February 2024
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Cover Photo by Kashif Ghani for Oxfam Pakistan. Oxfam GB, Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2JY, UK.