ICIMOD celebrated International Women’s Day 2015 in collaboration with the Government of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Karakorum International University (KIU), Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), WWF-GB, Aurat Foundation, and Focus Humanitarian Assistance on 9 March 2015 at the KIU campus, Gilgit. The event aimed to honour leading women of the mountains and assess the potential of ICIMOD-supported technologies for empowering women in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB).

Officials from the government, non-government organizations, educational institutions and local communities from the UIB participated in the event. There were around 400 participants, of whom more than 90 percent were women. Dr Naqvi, Acting Vice Chancellor of KIU, extended a warm welcome to the participants. Dr Nadeem Amjad, representative of the Natural Resource Division at PARC, was chief guest. Participants engaged in various activities such as speech contest and presentations. Exhibitions set up by the participating organizations were also held during the event.

Representatives of PARC and Mountain Area Farmers Support Organization (MAFSO) made excellent presentations on the potential for empowering mountain women in Gilgit-Baltistan through ICIMOD-supported technologies such as Angora rabbit farming and commercial seabuckthorn. Participants discussed the scope of replicating the technologies in the UIB to improve the economic status of the local communities. Dr Abdul Wahid Jasra shared the message of Dr David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD, and thanked all the women for their participation.

Outstanding women from various parts of Gilgit Baltistan were awarded with shields in recognition of their achievements. Winners of the speech contest were given certificates and prizes, while the event organizers received tokens of appreciation. The event ended with a vote of thanks by Dr Babar Khan, head of WWF-GB.

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