Karachi, January 2026: The British Council, in partnership with the WOW Foundation, UNFPA, and the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Institute (ECDI), is set to celebrate 10 years of the Women of the World (WOW) Festival Pakistan. The festival will take place at the Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi, on January 24–25, 2026, celebrating women’s achievements, fostering dialogue, and addressing the challenges they face. The event invites women, girls, and families to engage in a diverse and inclusive program.
James Hampson, Country Director of the British Council Pakistan, said: “As we celebrate a decade of WOW Pakistan, it is important to reflect on what these 10 years have meant. Giving space to women and girls and mobilising the transformational power of arts and culture is where WOW really comes into its own—hearing what’s needed to make real change.”
Amneh Shaikh-Farooqi, Chair and Co-Curator at WOW Pakistan, added: “WOW Pakistan began with a simple conviction: women’s voices matter. Over the past decade, this community has built space for ideas to surface, connect, and move forward. ‘Dastak’—meaning ‘knock’—symbolizes momentum, possibility, and the power of collective becoming. Ten years in, we are still listening, still creating, and still moving toward a future shaped by many voices, not just a few.”
Jude Kelly, CEO and Founder of the WOW Foundation, said: “When I founded WOW, I dreamed of it taking root in Pakistan—a country with a powerful legacy of individuals and communities determined to remove barriers for women and girls. Ten years on, WOW Pakistan stands as a beacon of creativity, courage, and collective action. We celebrate the progress made, honour those who paved the way, and renew our resolve to keep dreaming big for lasting change.”
The festival ensures inclusivity, with sign language interpretation, Braille resources, and wheelchair-friendly access to all venues.
Highlights of the WOW Pakistan 2026 Program Include:
- Opening panel with Senator Sherry Rehman, Jude Kelly CBE, and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, moderated by journalist Sidra Iqbal
- Kathak performance by Nighat Chaudhry
- Musical performances by Natasha Baig, Baber Sheikh, and Ustad Noor Buksh
- Panel on “AI: Coded Inequality” moderated by Amber Shamsi
- Fireside chat: “Cancer Chaos and Creative Ethos” with Angeline Malik
- Masterclass on Investment by Mashal Khan
- Performances by Sindhi artists and GRIPS Theatre
- Dance performance: Unfolding: A Celebration That Raised Us by Adnan Jahangir and Daughters
- Children’s program: Songs and Stories by Khalid Anum
The 2026 theme, Dastak: A New World Is Knocking, celebrates ten years of women leading and shaping change, calling attention to a moment of transition and opening doors to new narratives, leadership, and collective action.
WOW Pakistan’s program was curated in consultation with a diverse group of civil society members, women’s rights organizations, disability-led organizations, educators, academics, artists, and community leaders to ensure representation and inclusivity.
Founded by Jude Kelly CBE in 2018, The WOW Foundation runs global Women of the World Festivals, which began in the UK in 2010 at the Southbank Centre, London.
The British Council is the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, operating in over 100 countries and reaching millions globally. Its work in arts, education, and English language promotes connections, understanding, and trust worldwide.
