By: Sarmad Soomar
Women have become agents of change in Pakistan’s complex socio-political terrain, guiding the country toward stability and peace. Notwithstanding a variety of obstacles, young Pakistani women have boldly assumed responsibilities that have historically been filled by men and used their power to promote peace and unity. Their contributions are not only substantial but also crucial in forming a peaceful future for the country, ranging from high-level diplomacy to grassroots activity.
This women’s day we want to feature two unsung young women from Pakistan who are independent, self-sufficient, leaders and community change makers. They have turned the tables for communities issues regarding violence and conflict by covering the sub urban children in schools and neighbourhoods.
Malika Lalani a BioSciences student from ZABIST and Rabab Hussain a graduate of Aga Khan University worked with a community network to invade semi urban neighbourhood and school space at the site areas in Karachi to use a board game approach called Aman Ka Khel and combat the energies which target or promote violence among youth and school going children in such spaces. Their project now is travelling to hyderabad, sukkur, sujawal and later to south punjab and northern areas of Pakistan in coming months.
Games can provide youth and children a tool and confidence to resolve disagreements positively, enabling them to become proactive changemakers in their communities. By using planned debriefing sessions and reflection exercises, teachers may assist students in finding nonviolent solutions to problems they might face in their communities or at school. Games encourage children to become peacemakers and early champions for constructive social change by fostering a culture of discussion, empathy, and nonviolence.
Young women in Pakistan are leading community-building campaigns as implementation projects at the local and national levels that are meant to foster communication and dispute resolution.