Rural women leaders convene in Islamabad for leadership conference

More than 600 delegates from approximately 100 districts across Pakistan have gathered in Islamabad for the 19th Annual Rural Women Leadership Training Conference. Organized by PODA-Pakistan, the three-day event runs from October 27 to October 29.

Participants from all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are meeting to discuss rights, protection, and socio-economic empowerment. A central theme of the conference is the role of education as a safeguard against discrimination and a foundation for civic empowerment.

Speakers at the event highlighted the need for the effective implementation of Child Marriage Restraint Acts and the Christian Marriage Act. Discussions also addressed barriers faced by rural women regarding healthcare, property ownership, legal protection, and participation in decision-making processes.