Islamabad, October 16: To commemorate International Rural Women Day on October 15, PODA provided groundbreaking hands-on training to 71 rural women leaders and focal persons from 12 districts, including seven districts from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and five from Baluchistan. This practical equipped them to prepare for and subsequently hold a press briefing focused on the pressing issues confronting rural women.

Prior to the series of press briefings planned for Rural Women Day, PODA conducted an extensive consultation process with representative rural women leaders from four provinces, as well as AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, to gather recommendations and demands. During the press briefings, a 15-point charter of demands was presented.

A total of 118 participants attended the 12 press briefings, including 71 PODA women leaders and facilitators, along with 47 journalists, who ensured coverage in 48 prominent local newspapers and four online coverage through social media platforms.

With great enthusiasm, Ms. Khandana, an active PODA woman leader from Swabi, KP, shared that the president of the Swabi Press Club praised PODA’s efforts to highlight the urgent demands of rural women. She noted that this press briefing marked the first-ever activity at the club by a woman since its registration, and emphasized that there were no female members in the club. Later, the president of the press club extended an invitation for her to join the press club.

“At district level, like many other places, press clubs are male-dominated where women typically do not participate. This practical exercise helped us break down many barriers and engage with the media for the benefit of our rural communities,” said Shazia Hameed from Loralai, Baluchistan.