MARDAN: Women University Mardan (WUM) on Tuesday held a seminar on “Women Empowerment and Inclusion in Decision Making”, calling for greater representation of women in leadership roles and urging institutions to dismantle barriers that restrict women’s voices in governance.
The one-day event, organized by the Office of the Chief Proctor, was held under the directives of Vice Chancellor Dr. Razia Sultana, whose vision, according to faculty, has been pivotal in advancing academic and awareness initiatives across the university. While the Vice Chancellor was engaged at Defence Day celebrations at the main campus, her guidance was credited for enabling the successful organization of the seminar.
Distinguished speakers Dr. Farha Khan, Head of the Institute of Education & Research (IER), and Dr. Rani Begum, Head of the Department of Urdu, stressed that empowering women and ensuring their participation in decision-making is essential for building a just, inclusive, and progressive society. They emphasized that women’s perspectives strengthen leadership and peacebuilding, and their absence weakens governance. Chief Proctor Dr. Rashida Parveen, who supervised the seminar, reaffirmed WUM’s commitment to nurturing leadership, confidence, and resilience among its female students.
Alongside the seminar, WUM conducted a student survey on women’s empowerment and inclusion in decision-making. Respondents overwhelmingly agreed that women have equal leadership potential as men but continue to face obstacles such as cultural norms, stereotypes, and institutional barriers. Students recommended leadership training, mentorship programs, and formal representation of women in decision-making forums as ways to create more opportunities.
The program concluded with an interactive session where students shared ideas on strengthening women’s role in leadership at the community, institutional, and national levels. A large number of students and faculty participated, expressing appreciation for Dr. Razia Sultana’s consistent support and applauding the Office of the Chief Proctor for conducting what participants described as a “thought-provoking and inspiring” event
