Peshawar: The Peace & Education Foundation (PEF) in collaboration with the Culture Literature Arts and Development Organization (CLADO) organized a thought-provoking Democracy Dialogue at the Elvena Roosevelt Corner, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU) Peshawar. The event sought to promote civic engagement among students, particularly women, by addressing the role of youth leadership in democratic spaces.

The dialogue featured a dynamic panel of student leaders, with Moazma Shahid, Brekhna Khan, Tahira Gulfam, and Shafaq Aamir offering valuable perspectives on women’s empowerment and their critical role in Pakistan’s democratic future. Haris Shinwari, the project lead and moderator, emphasized the importance of nurturing democratic discussions in educational settings. He stated, “In environments where political conversations are limited, platforms like these become crucial for fostering leadership and democratic values among young women.”

Muazma Shahid ,one of the panelists highlighted the challenges women face in politics and civic engagement. “Women in Pakistan are equipped with rights on paper, but the opportunities to exercise them are few. We must work collectively to bridge this gap,” said one of the speakers during the session.

The interactive session also provided attendees with a chance to voice their concerns and ideas. The conversation touched on issues such as women’s political representation, with one student remarking that even reserved seats for women often go uncontested due to systemic barriers.

The event concluded with a compelling call to action from Naoyata Khan, a lecturer at SBBWU, who underscored the need for women to assert their place in political arenas. “Women represent half of Pakistan’s population. Their voices must be heard, and they should actively participate in shaping the country’s political landscape,” she urged.

At the end of the session, certificates were awarded to participants, recognizing their active involvement in the discussion and commitment to democratic principles.

The Democracy Dialogue is part of broader initiatives by PEF’s Youth Advocates for Democracy and CLADO’s Localizing the Democracy projects, which aim to promote inclusive and participatory governance in Pakistan.