KARACHI: The British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, in partnership with the WOW Foundation, a UK-based independent organisation working to build, convene and sustain a global movement to advance the empowerment of women and girls, and curating partners Entrepreneurship and Community Development Institute (ECDI) and Olomopolo Media, are set to host the first ever virtual Women of the World (WOW) festival in Pakistan, from March 5 to 8.
Based on the theme ‘Unmask’, the four-day virtual festival will explore a range of social, economic and environmental issues particularly significant to women and girls that have been unmasked by the pandemic. While the past year has brought to light many areas where women are being left behind, it has also showcased the incredible things that they have achieved despite the challenging circumstances.
The festival has moved online but its ambitions remain the same — WOW Virtual Pakistan 2021 will celebrate and connect women and girls, hold space for their stories and foster critical conversations about change at a time when it is most needed. This will be done through panel discussions, interactive workshops, talks, performances, children’s storytelling and more.
“To navigate this online format we will have acclaimed actress Sania Saeed and renowned TV and Radio host Anoushey Ashraf hosting intermissions or ‘WOW Check ins’ every 3-4 sessions.”
The launch of WOW Virtual Pakistan 2021 will feature keynote speakers Senator Sherry Rehman; Jude Kelly CBE, founder and director, WOW Foundation; and Dana MacLeod, director arts, South Asia British Council.
Commenting on the significance of the festival, Laila Jamil, British Council Arts lead in Pakistan said: “WOW gives us the chance to share our collective experience after a long and difficult year.”
Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2021
