Dissemination and Capacity Building workshop for Safe4All project

The Safe4all workshop, held at the International Islamic University in Islamabad on 16th April 2024, brought together more than 150 students, faculty, and industry experts to understand and address gender equality-related issues in Pakistan and its higher education institutions. The event commenced with registration and a warm welcome by IIUI representatives, setting the tone for a day of insightful discussions and collaborative learning. Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal (Dean of Faculty of Social Science) from IIUI welcomed the participants, appreciated their attendane and shed light on the urgency of the issues related to Gender Equality in Pakistan.

Project Principal Investigators Dr. Noreen Sehar and Dr. Muhammad Qasim Rana provided an overview of the workshop's objectives, emphasizing the importance of promoting gender equality and safety in Pakistani Higher Education Institutions. Dr. Olugbenga Tim Oladinrin shared insights on the case of South Africa, drawing parallels with challenges faced in Pakistan and sparking discussions on potential solutions. He shared some initial findings from his Gender Equality project in South Africa which is underway.

Dr Muhammad Rana talked about how climate change disproportionately affects females and how we can mitigate some of its impacts through education in Pakistan. Prof. Ang Lee from the University College of Engineering and Management (UCEM) introduced UCEM and its Gender related, funded projects in 6 different countries worldwide, highlighting the university's commitment to addressing social issues in the field. Following a group photo session to commemorate the event, Ms. Nimra and the project PIs presented insights and data analysis results, offering valuable insights into gender diversity and safety practices in Pakistan based on the project's data collection. Attendees engaged in group discussions, sharing their perspectives and experiences and providing feedback on strategies to promote inclusivity and address existing challenges.

A student capacity-building session led by Prof. Angela Lee focused on empowering future professionals with the knowledge and skills to create safer and more inclusive work environments in Pakistan. The interactive session encouraged students to reflect on their roles in promoting gender equality and safety practices and how to be more resilient while facing these issues.

The event concluded with certificates being distributed to participants, recognizing their contributions to advancing gender equality and safety initiatives. In closing remarks, Dr. Noreen and Dr. Muhammad Rana reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts in driving positive change and emphasized the ongoing commitment of IIUI, UCEM, and its partners to promoting gender equality and safety in Pakistani Higher education institutions.

The workshop related images can be found here: CLICK HERE