Women Rise as Aurat Foundation Builds Strong Leaders

Punjab – (Special – Correspondent / Web Desk) – The Aurat Foundation has been the heartbeat of Pakistan’s unfinished revolution for equality, a constant, powerful force in a nation still navigating its path toward justice. For decades, they have stayed true to their promise of being much more than any other organization; they’ve been a movement. I’ve had the privilege of seeing their work up close, and the numbers alone are staggering: over a hundred thousand women leaders trained, communities mobilized across 130 districts, and an unshakeable presence on the frontlines of every major legal reform. From the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act to stronger laws combating child marriage, their achievements are milestones carved into our nation’s conscience, each one a testament to their unwavering fight for a more just society.

My own journey with this cause has been a personal one. I’ve walked alongside this movement for years, witnessing its courage firsthand, and it has profoundly shaped my own convictions. I’ve seen women in remote villages find their voices for the first time, empowered by the Foundation to speak up and stand tall. I’ve met survivors of unimaginable pain who, through the support and solidarity they found, transformed their suffering into a source of incredible power. And I’ve looked into the eyes of young girls who, in the vision and resilience of the Aurat Foundation, saw a reflection of their own future–a future where they are not just seen, but heard and respected. This is what real, tangible transformation looks like and is only possible when silenced voices become the architects of change. It’s not a change that comes from the top down; it’s a powerful, grassroots revolution that rebuilds communities from the inside out.

But let’s be clear: our work isn’t done. The progress we’ve made is a foundation, not a finish line. The struggle for true equality is far from over. I believe with every fiber of my being that when women rise, Pakistan rises, and we simply cannot, and will not, stop until every girl in this country can walk without fear, speak without needing permission, and lead without apology. We still have too many women trapped in cycles of poverty and violence, too many girls denied an education, and too many voices dismissed simply because of their gender. This, by no means, can qualify as a sustainable path for a nation that aspires to greatness.

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Hence, today, tomorrow and always, I would keep calling on my colleagues in government and to every decision-maker in this country, reminding them that equality is not charity. It is a fundamental debt of justice that is long overdue. The empowerment of women is not a run-of-the-mill favor we bestow. It is an economic, social, and moral imperative. And to my sisters and allies, those on the frontlines and those who support this movement from the sidelines: you don’t need anyone’s permission to claim your space. The progress we have built together is your legacy and your right. Let’s use this foundation to build a new Pakistan, one where equality will not just be an ideal we talk about in publications, but a reality we live every single day.

I pledge, with an unyielding conviction, to stand with the Aurat Foundation until that Pakistan is not just imagined, but truly real. This is my commitment, and it is a commitment I will never waver from.

–Azma Bokhari, Minister for Information and Culture, Government of Punjab