ABBOTTABAD: Speakers at a dialogue organized by the Frontier Women Alliance for Inclusive Development (FWAID) have called for immediate steps to strengthen education, accessibility and empowerment for women and girls, particularly those from marginalized communities and women with disabilities in the Hazara Division.
The event, held in collaboration with the Abbottabad District Social Welfare Department, underscored the growing partnership between civil society and government institutions to promote inclusive development.
Commissioner Hazara Fayyaz Ali Shah stressed the need for expanding educational facilities for girls in underserved districts such as Torghar and Kohistan, urging FWAID to include these areas in its development and advocacy programs. Education leaders, including Madam Farhat, Principal of Government Degree College No. 1, and Ms. Sadia, Principal of RISE School, highlighted practical models for inclusive learning and accessible infrastructure.
Disability rights activist Muzammil Islam noted that the event marked the first celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Hazara since 2012, describing it as a sign of growing grassroots mobilization. Social activist and strategist Dr. Mehrub Moiz Awan said Hazara’s women were now leading their own narrative through independent, women-led platforms.
Minority rights advocate Ms. Elizabeth added that women from minority communities were, for the first time, being included in mainstream development dialogues, and emphasized the need for resources to support the region.
Legal and policy experts focused on strengthening implementation mechanisms for existing laws. Advocate Raheela, Executive Member of the Supreme Court, called for enforcing legislation addressing violence against women and advancing the disability law in KP. Representing the Ministry of Human Rights, Ms. Tayyab Arshi said that without including grassroots communities, the implementation of the CRPD and disability-related laws would remain incomplete. MPA Shehla Bano of PML-N highlighted funding shortages at the district level and pledged to raise the issue in the provincial assembly.
Students from COMSATS University’s Department of Development Studies also participated, expressing pride at joining Hazara’s first women-led empowerment platform. FWAID Founder and CEO Rabia Tahir announced an internship program focusing on gender equality, disability inclusion, social policy, community engagement and leadership, linking academic learning with practical development work.
Gender and inclusion expert Ms. Mehmoona praised the platform for amplifying marginalized women’s voices, while District Social Welfare Officer Ms. Syra outlined opportunities for collaborative programming for women with disabilities. Strategists, including Dr. Awan, discussed pathways to strengthen inclusion in local governance and planning.
Speakers called for expanding accessibility, supporting women-led organizations, addressing structural barriers, building sustainable partnerships and advancing policy measures for equitable development in the region. Commissioner Hazara reaffirmed administrative support for FWAID’s initiatives and emphasized the region’s commitment to inclusive development.
