Lahore (Khyber Mail): The 8th edition of the British Council’s WOW – Women of the World Festival concluded on February 2, 2025, at the Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore. This year’s festival, organized in collaboration with partners like the WOW Foundation, UNFPA, and the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Institute (ECDI), attracted over 12,000 attendees.
The festival marked its second consecutive year in Lahore, following expansions from Karachi and Hunza. The two-day event featured panels, workshops, film screenings, performances, a vibrant marketplace, and children’s activities. Highlights included a female qawwali curated by Arieb Azhar, a tribute to Haniya Aslam by Rakae Jamil, and a dance performance by Suhai Abro. Literary enthusiasts enjoyed readings by Attiya Dawood and Zambeel, while families were captivated by Khaled Anam’s interactive pop-up.
The festival also showcased a public mural of impactful women by Summaiya Jillani and premiered a film on women in the arts by Destination Media.
Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director of British Council Pakistan, emphasized the festival’s role in addressing critical gender issues, praising the courage and resilience of Pakistani women. Laila Jamil, Director Arts of British Council Pakistan, celebrated the festival’s theme, Surkhaab, as a tribute to women’s intrinsic worth and their contributions to society. She highlighted the British Council’s commitment to inclusivity and gender empowerment.
Discussions at the festival explored topics such as mental health, climate change, education, women in public spaces, and the digital divide, reflecting the multifaceted challenges women face today. The festival underscored the power of collaboration in breaking barriers and creating inclusive spaces for women and girls in Pakistan.