Awais Mehdi, based in Hafizabad district, works with local communities on the issues of child rights, social inclusion of women, transgender persons and persons with disabilities.

Mehdi sees domestic violence and intolerance as social evils. Striving for behaviour change among local people in his area, he believes that youth particularly young men could lead efforts for the inclusion of marginalised groups of society.

As a young community leader, Mehdi has built linkages with government and non-government organizations in the area while helping the disadvantaged community members to connect with the services.