Spotlight

In Pakistan, your support is helping to educate and empower a new generation of women like Haseena, who are becoming leaders in the development of their communities.

Haseena Begum is just one remarkable example of the new generation of female leaders emerging in the developing world. Elected to a district council in her village in rural Pakistan, in these tradition-bound communities, women had little status outside the home - initially, male members would not allow her to attend council meetings. Successful development relies on the participation of the whole community, and ensuring that women are full partners in the process. Thanks to a Canadian program supported by the World Partnership Walk, Haseena became better informed of her rights and responsibilities. Since then, she has emerged as one of the most active members of the council, driving a number of development initiatives including roads, water supply projects and vocational training, forging a role for women in development of the region.