Zainab is an 18-year-old student at the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan, currently studying Food Science and Technology. With a strong commitment to community service, Zainab actively volunteers with the Pakistan Rural Workers Social Welfare Organization (PRWSWO), where she serves as the Vice President of the Children & Youth Wing.

Zainab’s project, titled “Combating Early & Forced Marriages in Rural Communities of Pakistan,” addresses the pervasive issues of early and forced marriages, as well as gender-based violence, in the rural areas of District Bahawalpur. Rooted in cultural norms and economic pressures, these practices have detrimental effects on the lives and futures of young girls, perpetuating cycles of poverty and gender inequality.

Zainab’s project plans to organize workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns, and create support networks for at-risk girls aged 10-19. She also aims to partner with local schools and organizations to promote girls’ education and empowerment. Sustainability will be ensured through the training of local advocates and the formation of Child Protection Committees (CPCs) to continue advocacy efforts at the community level.

By engaging at least 100 girls and organizing educational workshops and community events, the Zainab aims to significantly increase awareness of early and forced marriages and gender-based violence in District Bahawalpur. The establishment of CPCs will further empower local communities to monitor, report, and address instances of these harmful practices, fostering long-term change and sustainability.

SDGs: 4. Quality Education, 5. Gender Equality