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.

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.
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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

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.
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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)
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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.
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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

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.
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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.
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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.

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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

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.
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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!

Location: Central Lawn

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

Location: Patio

Get up close and personal with the skies with Cosmic Perspectives bringing their most prized telescope to show everyone the beauty of the stars, the planets, and the moons up above us.

Location: Patio

Location: Adabi Baithak

Women’s friendships are a site, an open field. Here we learn the pathways of love, of revolution, of failure. Here we heal and damage. We reckon with ourselves, with the patriarchy, with language, labour, capitalism, care. A feminist baithak to read women’s writing about one another, and to map our politics through our collective relations.

Location: Hall 1

Inflation is a debilitating economic condition that impacts women and marginalized groups first. While the research shows that women have less money to begin with, crises like shrinkflation and recession mean that they pay double the prices on items of daily use with an additional cost if those items are deemed a luxury. The last three years have seen a significant amount of women talking about the rising costs of fuel impacting their mobility to being forced to take very hard decisions for their children. In this panel we will examine the structural barriers that impede women's productivity and the intersecting effects of inflation on women's lived realities.
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Location: Hall 2

Humqadam A Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response Services application. Humqadam is a result of a collective effort for designing an application that can help Women Human Rights Defenders (and the general public) of Pakistan to respond to cases of gender-based violence. The app provides quick access to referral services, relevant laws and a navigation guide for dealing with specific issues of violence.

Location: Hall 2

In this fireside chat, Nazia Ahmed, Director of Initiative for Community Network (ICON) and former Head of Nisa Women Institution, and Mehnaz Parveen, Head of Programs, Partnerships and Innovation at Soni Jawari Centre for Public Policy, will share their respective journeys of uplifting the living standards of marginalized and deprived communities, with more emphasis on the women from the same, and especially those in remote areas with issues of exposure, access and opportunities, in Baluchistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, two regions of Pakistan, which, although geographically far apart, tend to be similar in many ways, especially as they suffer from heavy political, cultural and geographical limitations and challenges.
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Location: Hall 2

Location: Patio

Featuring Lucky, a transgender artist who has previously worked on Coke Studio, Chorus of Change is an electrifying performance mixing contemporary and traditional music. The transgender community has a long history of song, music and dance within its culture and this performance offers technical innovation in the form of advanced electronic production techniques, including real-time audio mixing and synchronization. Ahsan Pervaiz Mehdi, a renowned producer and multi-instrumentalist from Lahore, Pakistan, will serve as the Sound Producer for this initiative. With a diverse musical background and notable collaborations, including Coke Studio, Velo Sound Station and Nescafé Basement, Ahsan's expertise will elevate the performance, delivering a seamless and immersive auditory experience for performers and audiences alike. Zara Madni has been previously featured in WOW and following the success of her performance which had visually impaired girls from Ida Rieu, Zara has the expertise and compassion to bring different voices, styles and mediums on the stage. She embraces the ethos of WOW and ensures that her programming is inclusive and diverse. The curatorial team considered Hadiqa Kiyani but she has been featured at WOW before. Meesha Shafi won't be in the country on the festival dates and is also out of budget. Shazia Manzoor is not well known among younger audiences hence not a good pull. This performance has the potential to cement WOW as a platform for featuring voices from marginalized groups

Location: Central Lawn

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

Location: Patio