The highly-anticipated fifth edition of the Kashmir HUM Women Leaders Award has successfully concluded, honouring eleven remarkable women and two dynamic man from Pakistan and abroad. The awards ceremony, held at the prestigious Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, recognized the recipients for their outstanding contributions and achievements in various fields, including social work, healthcare, human rights, education, technology, and entrepreneur. The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. Arif Alvi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, MNAs, bureaucrats, and socialites. Their presence has further solidified the award ceremony’s reputation as the country’s most coveted women’s award.

The event commenced with the national anthem, followed by the hosts of the evening, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Sanam Saeed, inviting President of HUM Network, Sultana Siddiqui, to address the audience. In her opening remarks, Ms. Siddiqui extends her heartfelt appreciation to President Arif Alvi and esteemed dignitaries for their unwavering presence and support. She elucidated the genesis of the HUM Women Leaders Award, a platform designed to amplify the accomplishments of exceptional women across diverse sectors, both nationally and globally. Emphasizing the significance of these awards, Ms. Siddiqui underscored their role in spotlighting the remarkable advancements made by women and hailed the recipients as trailblazers and beacons of inspiration for future generations. Furthermore, she extended recognition to international women who have left an indelible mark in their fields, encapsulating the essence of female greatness worldwide. Ms. Siddiqui expressed optimism that this platform will serve as a catalyst for enhancing the status of women on a global scale.

The Chief Guest for the evening, Dr. Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, delivered a compelling speech at the event, highlighting the significance of youth education and the crucial role of child upbringing in ensuring a safer and brighter future for women in Pakistan. Dr. Alvi underscored the crucial role of education in enabling women as well to effectively leverage these resources to realize their aspirations. Encouraging women leaders in attendance, he urged them to embrace mentorship roles, facilitating the empowerment of other women by sharing their expertise. Dr. Alvi emphasized the significance of women supporting and uplifting each other, fostering a culture of opportunity creation. His impassioned speech concluded with the assertion that education for women and children will be the cornerstone of our society’s future development.

The awards ceremony kicked off with a the hosts, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Sanam Saeed, recognizing the advisory committee of the HUM Women Leaders Award (HWLA), which included Ameena Saiyid, Rehana Hakeem, Amin Hashwani, Maliha Lodhi and Dr. Huma Baqai. Ten women and two men, recognized for their outstanding achievements both nationally and internationally, were honored at the awards ceremony. Among the distinguished female awardees were Dr. Razia Korejo, Sheeba Najmi, Huma Fakhar, Dr. Amanay Asfour, Khursheed Bano, Bibi Amina, Sadiqa Salahuddin, Sheema Kirmani, and Namira Saleem. Additionally, Dr. Prof. Izzeldin Abuelaish and Dr. Amjad Saqib were acknowledged as the male recipients of this year’s awards. Sania Saeed, renowned for her exceptional contributions to media and arts, was honored with the prestigious Kashmir Golden Plate award at the event.

The event featured extraordinary performances, beginning with Sahir Ali Bhagga and Aima Baig’s dynamic musical presentation, followed by Resham’s captivating dance performance, and concluding with Ahmed Jahanzaib’s enchanting melodic session.

The forthcoming awards ceremony, scheduled to air worldwide on HUM in March 2023, aims to acknowledge and pay tribute to influential women from Pakistan and beyond, who are catalysts for change in their domains. These women represent hope, resilience, and inspiration for women worldwide. The event commemorates their contributions and accomplishments, aiming to ignite a fresh wave of female leadership. Through the portrayal of their triumphs and the recognition of their obstacles, HWLA endeavors to promote gender equality, empowerment, and advancement for women everywhere.