Four decades of continuous struggle for women’s health, rights, equality and empowerment honoured — Member of British Parliament Dr Afzal Khan as Chief Guest, strong participation from prominent figures of the British Pakistani community
Manchester (Urdu Global Report)
Under the auspices of Aurat Foundation Pakistan, a dignified and memorable ceremony was held on 9 October 2026 at 422 Community Hall in Manchester. The event was titled “Invest in Women’s Health” – Award Conferment Ceremony. On this occasion, prominent personalities who have worked for women’s health, rights, dignity, social development and empowerment were presented with awards and certificates of honour in recognition of their services.
The chief guest of the ceremony was Member of the House of Commons Dr Afzal Khan. Senior members of Aurat Foundation from Pakistan — Naeem Mirza (Executive Director), Mumtaz Mughal (Director Programmes) and Asim Malik (Director Outreach and Network) — specially participated and played an important role in hosting the event. The Foundation’s 40-year struggle and services were specially acknowledged. Participants were informed that the organisation began its journey in Pakistan in 1986 and has continuously worked, both theoretically and practically, for the promotion of women’s rights, equality, democratic values and social justice over the past four decades.
Aurat Foundation’s 40-Year Performance — A Brief Overview
Aurat Foundation (Aurat Publication and Information Service Foundation) was established in 1986 by two great women’s rights activists — Nigar Ahmed and Shahla Zia. It is a national, non-profit, non-governmental organisation with its head office in Islamabad, regional offices in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Gilgit, and a wide network across 166 districts of the country.
Over four decades, Aurat Foundation has achieved the following major milestones:
- It launched national campaigns for women’s political representation, which resulted in the establishment of a 33% quota for women in local governments and reserved seats for women in the national and provincial assemblies.
- It struggled against discriminatory laws including the Hudood Ordinances and played a key role in the passage of several important laws (such as protection against workplace harassment, acid crimes, and provincial domestic violence laws).
- Through the Gender Equity Program, it reached hundreds of thousands of women and worked on ending gender-based violence, economic empowerment, access to justice and institutional strengthening.
- It assisted hundreds of thousands of women in obtaining Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) and voter registration.
- It carried out gender-sensitive relief and rehabilitation work during natural disasters (the 2005 earthquake, the 2010 floods, etc.) and prioritised the needs of women and children.
- Through Citizens’ Action Committees, Women Leaders Groups and other community networks, it organised hundreds of thousands of women and promoted their leadership.
- At the international level, it actively contributed to the monitoring of human rights treaties including CEDAW, preparation of shadow reports, and global networking.
Today, Aurat Foundation is regarded as one of the most established and influential organisations in the women’s rights movement in Pakistan. Its 40th anniversary is being celebrated across the country and abroad in 2026, and this Manchester ceremony holds special significance for the British Pakistani community.
Tribute to Emmeline Pankhurst
A special tribute was also paid to the renowned British women’s rights pioneer Emmeline Pankhurst, whose struggle holds a landmark place in the history of women’s political rights and the right to vote. She was posthumously awarded the “Pioneer of Women’s Political Emancipation Award”.
Award Recipients
The following personalities were presented with awards in recognition of their social, political, literary, community and women’s rights services:
- Dr Afzal Khan — Member, House of Commons, United Kingdom
- Shaukat Ali — Lord Mayor, Manchester
- Rabnawaz Akbar — Former Executive Member for Finance and Neighbourhood, Manchester
- Akhtar Zaman — Leader, Bolton Council
- Choudhry Sagheer Zaman — Mayor, Warrington
- Yasmine Dar — Former Member, National Executive Committee, Labour Party and Councillor
- Syed Sajjad Haider — Member, Labour Party Manchester and Chairman, Manchester Future Vision
- Raja Sajjad Hussain — President, Pakistan Muslim League (N), North West, UK
- Zahid Mughal — Secretary Information, Pakistan Peoples Party, UK
- Muqaddasah Bano — Member, Manchester City Council
- Mehboob Butt — Editor, Daily Speaker
- Shahzad Mirza — Community Leader and CEO, Open Kitchen Manchester
- Basir Kazmi — Poet, Royal Literary Fellow, University of Chester
- Naghmana Kanwal Sheikh — Poet, Founder of Khazina-e-Sher-o-Adab International
- Faiqa Gul Sahibzada — Community and Cultural Leader
- Noreen Shahzad — Community Leader and Trade Union Activist
- Siddiqa Muzaffar — Women’s Rights Activist
- Mohammed Khursheed Faiz — Open Kitchen Manchester Project
- Asma Awan — Poet and Women’s Rights Activist
Core Message
The central message of the ceremony was that investment in women’s health, education, protection, equal opportunities and social development is the foundation of a strong and progressive society. Recognition of women’s struggle and services not only encourages them but also inspires the new generation to play an active role in the development of society.
Aurat Foundation’s four decades of service stand as testimony to the fact that continuous struggle, collective cooperation and social awareness are essential for women’s rights and empowerment.
This ceremony held in Manchester provided an opportunity to highlight the social, literary, political and welfare services of the British Pakistani community. The presence of personalities from various walks of life reinforced the message that every individual’s service, experience and role has its own importance in the progress of society.
Urdu Global extends heartfelt congratulations to Aurat Foundation Pakistan on its 40 years of service, and expresses best wishes and good wishes for all the award recipients as well as the senior members from Pakistan — Naeem Mirza, Mumtaz Mughal and Asim Malik — who travelled to attend the event. It is hoped that this endeavour will pave the way for further positive and sustainable steps for women’s health, rights and empowerment.
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