PODA-Pakistan Holds 19th Annual Rural Women Leadership Training Conference

What Happened

The Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA-Pakistan) is conducting its 19th Annual Rural Women Leadership Training Conference at Lok Virsa, Islamabad. The event is scheduled to take place from October 27 to October 29, 2026, in connection with International Rural Women’s Day [2].

More than 600 delegates representing approximately 100 districts across Pakistan attended the gathering. These districts include participants from all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan [1, 2].

Key discussions at the conference include:

• Preventing child marriage through 12 years of compulsory education [2, 3].
• Improving digital safety and addressing online harassment [2].
• Expanding financial inclusion and economic opportunities in agriculture and olive production [2].
• Strengthening women’s political participation and understanding legal remedies under the Election Act 2017 [2].
• Addressing climate justice and climate-resilient livelihoods [2].
• Promoting disability inclusion for women facing multiple barriers [2].

MNA Dr. Shahida Rehmani, secretary of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, stated during a session that education is essential for national progress and the empowerment of women [3]. She noted that while rural women contribute significantly to food security and household economies, they face barriers regarding healthcare, property ownership, and legal protection [3].

PODA Executive Director Sameena Nazir emphasized the need for a platform where rural women can present recommendations directly to policymakers based on community experiences [2].

The conference is expected to conclude on October 29 with the approval of a resolution outlining participant priorities and an awards ceremony to recognize leadership contributions [2]. The event is supported by partners including the European Union, the National Endowment for Democracy, CIVICUS, Sightsavers, and Olive Culture [2].

Who Is Affected

The conference focuses on the following groups:

• Rural women leaders from 100 districts across Pakistan, including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan [2].
• Rural women and girls facing gender-based violence or barriers to education [2].
• Women with disabilities seeking inclusion in employment and public participation [2].
• Rural women involved in agriculture and entrepreneurship [2].