KHYBER: Speakers at an orientation session here on Saturday discussed ways and means to empower women, highlight their leadership qualities and provide them opportunities to play an effective role in political and public life.

The Pakistan Women Leaders (PWL) arranged the session in Landi Kotal on the role of women in political and public life.

Former tehsil chairman Shah Khalid and social activists Abdur Raziq and Abdul Wahab were the main speakers at the event attended by a select group of local community leaders and human rights activists.

The speakers stressed the need for bringing women to the fore in social and political fields for a positive and lasting change in the tribal society.

They said that no lasting and positive change could be brought about in the society without active participation of women.

The speakers said that giving leadership roles to women would not only help boost their confidence but would also resolve their issues at the community level.

They said that the event was not only an introductory session but was aimed at exploring local female leadership, promoting cooperation and partnership among enterprising women at local level, understanding the nature of challenges faced by womenfolk and creating a conducive atmosphere for moving forward in the political and public fields.

The participants were told that PWL would establish in near future leadership boot camps for local women where they would be imparted training about leadership, public participation, advocacy, coordination and an effective link with the local community.

They were told that the main objective of the programme was to reach out to at least 1,700 women in 57 districts.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2026