TP Report
PESHAWAR: A two-day provincial summit on women with disabilities concluded here the other day, calling for greater inclusion, accessibility and recognition of the leadership potential of women and girls with disabilities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The summit, “Breaking Barriers: Women with Disabilities”, was organised on Feb 3–4 under the Aawaz II programme, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented by the British Council in collaboration with Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation.
More than 60 women with disabilities from Abbottabad, Buner, Lower Dir, Malakand, Nowshera and Peshawar participated in the event, which aimed to amplify voices often marginalised due to gender, disability and poverty.
Discussions focused on strengthening district-level Special Interest Groups, building leadership skills and linking grassroots activists with provincial and national advocacy networks. Participants emphasised the need to translate lived experiences into policy action.
Sharing her experience, Tabassum from Buner said the platform had helped her overcome stigma and gain confidence. “My disability became my ability,” she said. Another participant, Ayesha from Buner, said the programme enabled her to work with communities and officials in remote areas to challenge stigma and promote inclusion.
Participants raised concerns over limited accessibility in public buildings and the lack of awareness regarding registration of women and girls with disabilities, which restricts access to legal rights and social protection schemes.
Representatives from the National Forum of Women with Disabilities and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW) also attended the summit.
KPCSW Secretary Shazia Atta appreciated the initiative, saying it helped organise women with disabilities and link them with district administrations and provincial departments to promote their rights and leadership.
In her closing remarks, Sayeda Nudrat, Gender Specialist at the Social Welfare Department, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised and supporting women with disabilities.
British Council’s Head of Programme Delivery for Aawaz II, Arshad Mahmood, said the programme was working in 15 districts of KP and Punjab to promote awareness and facilitate engagement between women with disabilities and duty-bearers.
The summit concluded with the formulation of recommendations on accessibility, education, economic empowerment and social protection, which organisers said would guide future advocacy with relevant government departments.
