PESHAWAR: The participants of an event held here the other day highlighted the constructive role of women in local peace building and conflict resolution.
They stressed the need for encouraging young women across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to step into leadership roles. The event titled ‘Leadership forum on women’s empowerment, human rights and interfaith harmony’, was organised by Empower Women Media in partnership with Youth Leadership of Pakistan and district youth affairs department.
The gathering brought community representatives and diverse participants together to examine how documentary films and open dialogue could strengthen women’s voices, protect human rights and foster understanding across communities.
The programme featured documentary screenings, a focused discussion on women’s leadership and an interfaith panel that explored the roles of faith leaders, legal professionals and ordinary citizens in promoting dignity, equal rights and peaceful coexistence.
Documentaries screened to show storytelling can challenge misconceptions
Wagma Feroz, the main organiser, underlined the power of films and personal stories to bring overlooked experiences into public view and encourage genuine conversation among different communities.
Participants watched the documentary ‘Faith Without Fear: Voices of Hope’, produced by Wagma Feroz, along with additional films that addressed religious freedom, women’s empowerment and the capacity of storytelling to challenge misconceptions and build empathy.
Tahira Kaleem, a member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women and founder of Sustainable Impact Solutions, spoke on women’s leadership and participation in community development.
She highlighted the constructive role women from varied backgrounds could play in local peace building and conflict resolution. She outlined practical ways to encourage young women across the province to step into leadership roles.
The session also examined as to how religious leaders could actively support women’s education, public participation and empowerment.
An interfaith panel brought together Allama Mohammad Shoaib, Advocate Mehwish Muhib Kakakhel and Teeman Lawrence Williams. The discussion centred on how Muslim community and faith leaders could facilitate women’s involvement in education, leadership and public life.
Ms Kakakhel said that people should understand their basic legal rights when confronting discrimination on grounds of gender or religious identity. Reverend Williams shared teachings from his tradition that emphasised compassion, justice, service and respect for human dignity.
A question and answer session followed, giving participants the chance to engage directly with the speakers and consider concrete steps communities could take to deepen mutual respect and cooperation.
Syed Bilal Shah, a Gen Z content creator, addressed the audience on the practical power of storytelling to communicate lived experiences and connect people across the divide.
Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2026
