The Silence after the Storm

Location: Hall 3

Sister Plz By Khizra Munir

Location: Hall 2

Through her podcast Sister Plz, Khizra aims to push the envelope on the kind of conversations we see around women. It’s not about trying to paint a glorious picture about womanhood, but about celebrating the whole spectrum warts and all. Her guests are engaging, fun, poignant and deep, creating a niche in the podcast space that is otherwise dominated by men. Her ultimate goal is for SisterPlz to be a haven of sisterhood, a space that women can own and love as their own.
Watch Video

Sureeli Saheliyan Eva B, Natasha Noorani and DJ Lyla

Location: Patio
Watch Video

Crunching Numbers: Just A Data Girl In A Data Driven World By Natasha Uderani

Location: Hall 2

If Big Data is the pivot on which the world turns, Natasha and her startup, Data Darbar is offering that world up in neat spreadsheets and tables that explain the human behavior behind the numbers. In this bite, Natasha will demystify data in an environment that relies on mass hysteria. Come for the data, stay for the insights.

Safe And Free: A Girlfriend's Guide To Travelling Solo And In Groups By Dr. Aysha Khan

Location: Hall 2

Dr. Aysha is dentist by profession. She is based in Lahore but works in Hunza. In this bite Dr. Khan will bw talking about traveling, whether solo or in groups, holding immense value in fostering personal growth, independence, and cultural understanding. Solo travel allows for self-discovery, empowering individuals to navigate challenges, build confidence, and expand their horizons. It offers an opportunity to step out of comfort zones and embrace new experiences, ultimately shaping perspectives and strengthening resilience. On the other hand, traveling in groups offers a sense of camaraderie, shared experiences, and safety in numbers. It provides a platform for bonding, creating lifelong memories, and learning from diverse perspectives. Group travel can also serve as a support system, particularly for young girls venturing into unfamiliar territories. As a female traveler Dr. Khan's insight whobhas traveled both in solo and group she aims to empower women and young girls to break stereotypes, challenge societal norms, and carve their paths in the world. Whether exploring alone or alongside companions, every journey enriches the soul and broadens horizons.

Screening Of Milaap : Notes from Where Salt Water meets the Sweet Water + Q&A with Marvi Mazhar and Abuzar Madhu.

Location: Hall 3

Milaap documentary film features the story of three women and the stories of their lives being impacted due to negligent urban rural planning and its consequences to the river and the sea. The documentary is a visual investigation to open questions about the significance of land and water protection in times of climate crisis but also to provide deeper insight into the rich local shared inherited knowledge which continues to advocate towards living with water, as an ally, in a counter push back towards external development decisions as a form of future’. The documentary film aims to talk about environmental degradation, land rights, human / non-human epistemologies through poems, songs and inherited knowledge.

The wild ones: Exploring women's friendships in literature. Dr Tahira Naqvi in conversation with Dr Shabnam Khan

Location: Hall 1

Friendship depicted in fiction gives us a blueprint about our own lives. Many works of literature while focusing on the love story between the hero and the heroine, also show women's intense friendships with each other, driving plot with their conversation. Join Dr Tahira and Dr Shabnam as they discuss women's friendships in literature and how often life imitates art as we grow older and reflect on the bonds we have to the women in our lives.
Watch Video

Women Mentorship And Role Models: Enhancing Personal And Professional Lives

Location: Adabi Baithak

Discover how women mentors and role models can shape and empower us, both personally and in our careers. The transformative impact of mentorship relationships and learn how to cultivate meaningful connections that propel you forward. A perfect opportunity to gain insights, guidance, and inspiration from those who have walked the path before you

Gul Rukh And The Missing Gems (Science Activity)

Location: Gallery

Calling all young sleuths (and their parents!), if curling up with a cozy mystery on cold Lahori nights was your idea of a good time then this activity is perfect for you! Some precious gems have gone missing atthe school Mela and it is up to Gul Rukh to solve the mystery. With the help of her special team of detectives who will put their skills to the test, she will need to find these gems in record time.

Chronicling Mughal-Sikh Women: Power, Politics, And Patronage

Location: Hall 1

This panel will look at women lost or buried in historical narrative from the Mughal era till more recent times and the mark they left on literature, politics, architecture and other spaces. It will also explore this theme of women considered "bad" through characters like Razia Sultana, and Rabia Basri and . The idea is to celebrate these remarkable women and the impact they had on their communities, examining both historical and present-day perspectives. It explores how when viewed through a non patriarchal lens how female relationships and support has shaped history.
Watch Video

سکھیاں Self And Visual

Location: Hall 2

A conversation with the meta state of friendships. How social media and mainstream media weave in and out of the stories and society of sakhiyan.
Girls often craft identities around the people they surround themselves with.
Also conversely the images (film or social media)they consume make them look to match those identities in their milieu.
This is true for many groups of young girls who form their identities and their outward image to match perceived friends or role models. Within these complex relationships come the dangerous influence of body image issues, especially with the inclusion of social media,beauty standards and bullying within groups of friends.
Listening to young panelists, the audience will hear first-hand how they perceive the world, the problems they face and what the adults can do to support them.
Watch Video

میرے سوالوں کا جواب دو A Social Experiment On Female Friendships With Shah Fahad

Location: Central Lawn

Aurat Hi Aurat Ki Dost Hai

Location: Hall 3

Female friendships or friendships of women with non-men is a subject which is finally being explored in academia despite being written about since centuries. Female friendships are an important source of support and connection which goes a long way especially when women often lead lives which are constantly scrutinized through the lens of patriarchy, both in digital and physical realm. The main purpose of the workshop is to introduce texts and other mediums to the attendees and discussing various approaches while making them understand the importance of these relationships in their lives thus breaking the notion of “Aurat He Aurat Ki Dushman Hai”. We will be exploring the countless times when women saved or helped them through writing and art. I will be sharing different material but to also give them a local context I will be looking a few old dramas shown on PTV which depicted female friendships especially in the light of how the portrayal evolved with time. This will be a safe space for women where they will be assured to be open and be comfortable in discussing these ideas.

Closing The Digital Divide Gulalai Khan, Sana Shah, Warda Rashid Khan, Faiza Hassan

Location: Hall 1

Women do not enjoy equal access to phones, particularly smartphones and advanced technology. A significant portion of digital communication is centered around social media platforms, which women may have limited access to due to their inability to own smartphones or afford data plans. Utilizing simple SMS messages or telephone recordings, such as call/ring tones or phone tones, can be highly effective for disseminating essential messages on culturally sensitive topics. It is also crucial to consider the societal divisions related to both class and gender, particularly among working-class men and women, when addressing these disparities. In this discussion we will question existing barriers to access to information and alternative ways of dissemination on culturally sensitive topics. We will be joined by policy experts and researchers who will share their insights into how women use technology and form perceptions on information. ( Also casts a quick look at how women share information or in less privileged circumstances have watch-parties/huddles around watching popular memes and viral videos)
Watch Video

Diaspora Dosti. Sabeena Akhtar in conversation with Dr Sofia Rehman

Location: Hall 2

What does it mean to be second generation children of immigrants? You don't have the story of leaving your people, language, your cultural context to build a new language nor can you claim that you made any sacrifices like your parents did. And yet your clothes and food and culture set you apart from your peers. You belong, but just enough. That is where those who have made the same journey become new friends in shared experiences. Many diaspora women share that it was the woman across the street with whom shared cups of chai became the bedrock of support in the years to come after migrating. In this conversation, two women from the UK diaspora will share their stories of finding each other amidst the mapping of self in a new place.
Watch Video

Empowerment Is A Shared Journey (Next Generation What We Know On Women And Girls)

Location: Gallery

A youth centered workshop targeting young WOW participants and attendees will equip them with the tools needed to interact with data and to use several mechanisms to hone their skills to visualise that data in real time at the workshop and co-create a shared empowerment journey map. ‘Empowerment is a shared journey’ is designed as a 90-minute activity-based workshop where groups of young people between the ages of 18 to 35, with guidance from seasoned facilitators and thought leaders in Pakistan, will work through two participatory research tools to: 1. Shape their understanding of problems relating to youth, their causes and consequences and how these may affect young women differently from young men and other gender identities. 2. Share their short- and medium-term aspirations. While working with these tools, participants (a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 64, with an equal gender balance) will be interacting with data from the seven-country flagship British Council study, Next Generation: What we know on women and girls, which is due to be released on the 2024 International Women’s Day. This activity will help situate the workshop’s insights in the broader context of what the team at CineKhan found through in-depth interviews with young people in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Poland. In addition to this activity, on both days, word clouds on ‘what is power’ (based on the seven-country study) will be on display for WOW attendees (of all ages) to interact with and add their own words, with support from trained volunteers.
Dr. Amen Jaffer, Rafiq Jaffer, Gauher Aftab, Moneeza Burney, Sanam Kubra, Saba Shahid

SCREENING + Q&A عید مبارک by Kamil Chima (18 min)

Location: Hall 3

Iman, a privileged Pakistani girl, goes with her family to buy a goat, as is the tradition in Pakistan before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Azha. She picks the cutest one, and takes it home. She spends all of her time with the goat, whom she names Barfi, after her favorite Pakistani dessert. Soon, however, she realizes that Barfi is not a pet, but a goat being raised for slaughter. She makes
a plan to save Barfi's life before he can be sacrificed on Eid. Along the way, through the help of her family and friends, she learns the true meaning of sacrifice, and the reason behind Eid al-Azha.

Screening + Q&A Beyond the Ratio By Mind Storm (10 min)

Location: Hall 2

The “Beyond the Ratio” documentary is a creation born out of the “Increasing Women’s Representation in Games” (IWRG) initiative at M-Labs, the development wing of Mindstorm Studios. This initiative aims to foster inclusivity within the local game development industry and ignite female participation in STEM-related careers across Pakistan. In 2023, M-Labs organized a workshop under the IWRG initiative, where women from academia, game development, and the esteemed acting US Consul General Kathleen Gibilisco came together. During this workshop, a critical issue emerged: the scarcity of local female role models. In response, M-Labs created a documentary highlighting women in leadership roles within the game building industry. The overarching objective of this documentary is to inspire young talent to envision themselves as part of this dynamic field and ignite their entrepreneurial spirit. “Beyond the Ratio” is the inaugural installment in a series of short docu-series dedicated to celebrating women in games. In an industry where women constitute less than 17 percent, their resilience, stories, and triumphs extend far beyond mere statistics. The title itself—“Beyond the Ratio”—captures the essence: it’s about grit, determination, and leaving an indelible mark within an ever-evolving landscape.
Watch Video

Beyond Nature's Housekeepers. Panelists: Hamera Aisha, Fazilda Nabeel, Dr. Ayesha Khan, Sabiha Zaman

Location: Hall 1

In rural economies, women are often the main custodians of natural resources; they are seed savers; they protect, cultivate and use these resources in their daily lives. Furthermore, they tend to be the guardians of traditional knowledge associated with dwindling genetic resources. However, women’s leadership in conservation and natural resource management, while unique and essential, is often not recognised. How can we acknowledge the contributions of women to thriving ecosystems while also ensuring their full and meaningful engagement and support their rights, interests and priorities? This conversation will explore various perspectives, including the forest as a community, women as custodians of space and their connection to climate and the creation of beauty. It will also draw upon learnings from historical ecofeminist movements.
Watch Video

میرے سوالوں کا جواب دو A Social Experiment On Female Friendships With Shah Fahad

Location: Central Lawn

اٹھکھیلیاں Samahar Adnan & Soha Adnan Choreographed By Adnan Jahangir

Location: Patio

A group of girls (Sakhiyaan/ Friends) gathers to revel in the simple joys of companionship.
The story is told through dance, where a group of friends find a stranger in their midst. Amidst laughter and shared moments, their attention is captivated by the graceful movements of a young girl dancing. She is confident in herself but unsure of the group of friends. They seeing her confidence and ‘joie de vivre’ move to befriend her. The sakhiyaan (friends) decides to join her, weaving a tapestry of joy through the intricate steps. It is an ode to acceptance, inclusion and friendship.
The performance unfolds as a vibrant expression of unity, where the language of Kathak becomes the medium through which the girls cherish each other's presence, creating bonds that show how friendships shape our lives like the flowers and green of the garden.

Screening + Q&A Tarantata By Amber Arifeen (38 Min)

Location: Hall 3

The project is a short documentary film that contextualizes seven dances performed by the artist, Amber Arifeen, in seven different locations across the region of Puglia, in Southern Italy, in October of 2021. The performances were part of an investigation into the ancient Tarantismo dance ritual that took place every year in Puglia up until 50 years ago and the contemporary issue of the Olive Tree decimation, in which acres of Olive tree fields have been eradicated in the region owing to the spread of a mysterious disease – Xylella- a result of climate change. The film chronicles her own journey and experience of growing up as a woman in Pakistan and draws parallels with the history of Tarantismo and the current destruction of the Olive tree.

Can Corporates Create Social Change? Panelists: Mariyum Nawaz and Sammar Sultan. Moderator: Nausheen Ahmad

Location: Hall 1

In recent years corporations have become part of a wave of efforts to change narratives in society that do not permit them to keep up with the times. With single income households a thing of the past and women advocating for greater economic, social and political participation and rights, brands have (rightfully) taken a leaf from activists' notebooks and changed their messaging. From showcasing households in which the division of labor is equitable, women who understand their rights in marriage to the depiction of single, working women or even childfree couples as a positive marker of radically changing times, brands are doing their part in underlining these narratives within advertising and popular media culture. On this panel, two famous Pakistani companies, both woman-led, and an iNGO will discuss how they devise such campaigns and what are their inspirations.

برزخ Screening + Q&A by Moiz Tirmizi (30 min)

Location: Hall 2

A young woman named Pakeeza (Pako) serving as a nurse in the gynaecology department of a government hospital is fighting her case of khula against her husband. It’s been more than a year since her case is being dragged in the court, meanwhile her chronic illness (Endometriosis) spirals and she is adviced to get a hysterectomy (removal of uterus) by her doctors. She being a married woman is legally not in the position to make this decision for herself without the consent of her husband. Pakeeza desires to be a mother but her inability to reproduce because of her condition and being a gyne nurse herself, assisting women in labour, keeps her in a constant state of predicament and wretchedness of her unmet desire.

گِدّھا پنجابناں دا Dholki With Saleema Jawwad

Location: Central Lawn

Getting together as if participating in the tradition of ‘Dholki’ as popular among the folk of the various regions of Pakistan except this session will be predominantly Punjabi and Serieki. The Dholki is also traditionally celebrated by the women folk whose collective singing is loud, harmonious and melodious - reflecting the undeniable strength of the women collective.

The Whispering Mountains A Celebration In Women's Voices From Gilgit-Baltistan, With Love By Mehnaz Parveen

Location: Patio

1- Sinisai (10 mins) An old Wahki Folk Lament Sinisai is an old song performed by women in the Wakhi Culture. The song is usually performed during Wakhi weddings when the family bids farewell to the bride. The women of the family then gather inside a traditional house and sing the old melody, usually led by the mother of the bride. This performance at WOW will be done by a group of young women from GB residing in Lahore. History: Sinisai has a mythical story behind it that the locals narrate. Fazal Amin, a Wahi Language Expert says" Sinisai's explanations could be seen broadly in a metaphorical context to see what a brave mother’s role was and how did she perform incredibly. Although, the stories related to the bride, the enigmatic death encountering her, the bride’s mother’s bravery, making up of the bride’s younger sister in replacement, seeing off the wedding party, the emergence of Sinasay and the Sinisay taking its course as part of Wakhi tradition". 2- The Whispering Mountain Ensemble: (30 mins) The Whispering Mountain ensemble will feature a total of 10 musicians (04 male, 06 female including instrumentalists and female singers). The ensemble will perform songs in 04 indigenous languages of GB including, Burushaski, Shina, Khowar, and Waki. The performance will be an ode to the rich and diverse culture of the land GB.
Watch Video

The Magical Lives Of The Women Of Dastan-E Amir Hamza And Tilism-E-Horshuba Shahnaz Aijazuddin And Mariam Zia In Conversation

Location: Hall 2

Tilism-e-Hoshruba is populated by remarkable women. They are queens of their own magical realms, command large armies and have extraordinary magical powers. The head of Hamza’s Islamic army in Hoshruba is lead by an experienced and wise woman Mahrukh Magic-eye. Several other powerful princesses have defected to the Islamic camp and bravely defy their former overlord, the King of Magic. Afrasiyab himself is surrounded by powerful women-his wife, the loyal Hairat; his maternal and paternal grandmothers who come to his rescue througout the narrative. Even his key minister is a middle-aged woman Sannat Magic-maker, who is his rock when he is bereft with the loss of his mistress Zulmat. Afrasiyab’s wet nurse is an fearsome ogress Tareek whose battle tactic is simply swallowing her enemies! Of course this empowerment comes to an end when Hoshruba has been conquered and we can only imagine what lives these women will lead once they have converted and foresworn magic.
Watch Video

THEY SEND EACH OTHER LOVE. Artistic exchange between Shanzay Subzwari and Lauren Heckler

Location: Hall 3

Take a cultural exchange and personal exploration with Shanzay Subzwari and Lauren Heckler's captivating piece, 'They Send Each Other Love.' Through a 50-minute audio exchange, set against the backdrop of natural beauty in Karachi, Pakistan, and Abergavenny, Wales, dives into personal stories, cultural nuances, and the shared human experience. Experience the power of connection and dialogue in this inspiring creation.

Puppet Show

Location: Gallery

جیسا بو گے ویسا کاٹو گے Climate Change, Afforestation, Smog & The Role Of Women By Attiya Noon

Location: Hall 2

Attiya Noon sheds light on the critical intersection of climate change, afforestation, and the alarming issue of smog, with a special focus on the pivotal role of women. With her extensive expertise and unwavering dedication to environmental activism, Attiya illuminates the urgent need for collective action and sustainable solutions. This is a great opportunity to discuss pressing environmental challenges facing our communities and explore pathways to a greener, healthier future.

چشمِ زن سے ہے تصویرِکائنات میں رنگ Prioritizing Ocular Health By Dr Jawad Bin Yamin

Location: Hall 2

Studies show there is a gender gap in eye disease. Women are more likely than men to suffer from sight-threatening conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma. 66 percent of blind patients are women. Why the inequity? There are a few theories. On average women live longer and many eye problems are age-related. Social and economic factors affect women’s access to eye care, especially in developing countries. In general, women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men, many of which affect vision, such as lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome and hyperthyroiditis. Also, pregnancy can cause vision changes due to the hormones pregnant women experience. This Bite will discuss how to make vision loss preventable.

چشمِ زن سے ہے تصویرِکائنات میں رنگ Shaping New Realities: AI For Inclusive Spaces By Sabahat Bokhari

Location: Hall 2

AI is often used as a cautionary tale especially for women and in an age of deep fakes, the warning is not unwarranted. But AI opens up many opportunities for inclusion and opportunities at the intersections of accessibility, diverse representation and biases. In this talk, AI enthusiast Sabahat Bokhari will share her insights on how AI can be used for actionable insights and collaborative solutions.

Screening + Q&A Republic Of Wailing Trees By Nirmal Bano (30 Min)

Location: Hall 3

After their village is marked as a site for a new coal power plant, women of Bhaagowalla rise to resistance.

The Joy & Marvel Of Altering Narratives On the International Mainstream Media Moderator Dr. Syrrina Haque Panelists Nimra Bucha, Rasti Farooq, Bee Gul

Location: Hall 2
Pakistani women have come a long way in their depictions on screen. From being exoticized as a white man 's fantasy to now given roles in which they have agency and drive, Pakistani actresses have played a major role in changing dominant narratives. As of Dec 2023, Nimra Bucha played a role in the BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie's Murder is Easy and had a story arc in Ms. Marvel, a show about the first Pakistani super hero to grace our screens. In this insightful conversation she, along with veteran actors will talk about this shift, from tropes to triumphant portrayal.
Watch Video

رستہ چھوڑئے A Live Act By Justin Bibis

Location: Patio

Live performance of youthful covers and the Coke Studio original Peechhay Hut. Blowing up on the internet as viral sensations, Justin Bibis perform live with their own takes on popular songs. They bring on stage youthful covers and their infamous Coke Studio original, Peechhay Hut that also featured on Ms. Marvel, a story about a Pakistani American female teenage super hero.

Extra Tarka! Preserving Culture Through Cuisine Moderator: Sonya Rehman Gulalai Khan, Founder, Pakistan Professional Women Forum Hiba Dar, Director Communications, Coca Cola Pakistan Ana Farooq, Founder of Arth Ayurveda

Location: Hall 3

Exploring the economic empowerment of women through traditional Pakistani cuisine, preserving cultural heritage, and shaping a nation's identity. The panel discussion at the WOW Festival ‘24 will highlight and detail how home chefs in Pakistan are leveraging their culinary skills to create economic opportunities and empower themselves.

What’s more, by tapping into our local recipes, these women are not only earning extra income but also preserving the cultural legacy of their region. This is no less than a culinary ‘movement’ which is not just about cooking; it's about empowerment and economic growth.

These women are gradually gaining business acumen, access to finance, and expanding their business networks. But how did this start? Was the Covid-19 lockdown the impetus for the birth and rapid growth in the home chef sector on local turf? This panel explores that and more.

بے زبانی زباں نہ ہو جائے The Story Of Malika Pukhraj Adaptation: Farjad Nabi Performers: Farazeh Syed And Samiya Mumtaz

Location: Hall 1

Celebrating the iconic songstress, Malika Pukhraj, in her own words. Her candid storytelling, laced with heartache and humour, reveals the raw challenges she faced since childhood and the deep love she found on the way. An evening of readings from her autobiography by Samiya Mumtaz and her songs sung by her granddaughter Farazeh Syed. Adapted for the stage by Farjad Nabi.
Watch Video

CLOSING PERFORMANCE Amna Riaz, Romaisa Tariq, Annural Khalid, Natasha Baig Featuring Hassan and Roshan.

Location: Patio

Our music extravaganza line is just looking like a WOW!

Join us for an unforgettable closing performance by Amna Riaz, Romaisa Tariq, Annural Khalid, and Natasha Baig, with special guests Hassan and Roshan. It’s a line up you wouldn’t want to miss! See you all 3rd March! Don’t forget to bring your friends!

British Council Library Pop Up

Location: Central Lawn

Join the library team for some engaging story telling session along with activites, book bazar and more!

Her Story Short Films About Real Life Sheroes By Shirkat Gah

Location: Foyer 2