First annual conference on strengthening the women’s agenda brings together feminist voices from around the World

Islamabad
Shirakat Foundation, in collaboration with Fondazione Pangea and Women Without Violence International Foundation (WWVIF), organized the First Annual Conference on Strengthening the Women’s Agenda (CSWA) from 23 to 25 October 2026 at Lok Virsa, Islamabad, bringing together representatives from more than 20 organizations, civil society representatives, activists, researchers, and professionals to strengthen collective advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality.
The conference aimed to carry forward the ambition of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action by connecting its commitments to the realities, challenges, and priorities facing women and girls today. It provided a platform for feminist voices from diverse backgrounds to exchange perspectives, reflect on progress, and identify priorities for advancing women’s rights, particularly from the perspective of the Global South.
More than 20 organizations participated in the conference, including Women Without Violence International Foundation (WWVIF), WUNRN – Women’s UN Report Network, Sampark,Women for peace in the world, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Rozan, Balochistan Sustainable Development Initiatives, and Action for Girls’ Empowerment, among others.
Over the three-day conference, participants engaged in dialogue and knowledge-sharing on the continuing relevance of the Beijing Platform for Action more than three decades after its adoption. Discussions highlighted persistent gender inequalities, the importance of women’s leadership and meaningful participation in decision-making, the prevention of violence against women and girls, and the need to strengthen advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality.
The conference sought to advance an advocacy agenda that carries the ambition of the 1995 Beijing Declaration into today’s realities. It encouraged participants to examine emerging challenges, identify gaps in the implementation of existing commitments, and explore practical ways to make women’s rights a stronger priority in policies, institutions, and development processes.
Bringing together organizations and feminist voices from different contexts created opportunities to share experiences, strengthen networks, and explore areas for collective action. The discussions also emphasized the importance of recognizing the diverse experiences of women and girls and ensuring that their voices, priorities, and lived realities inform advocacy and decision-making.
Particular attention was given to the perspectives and priorities of the Global South, recognizing the importance of locally grounded approaches, inclusive participation, and stronger collaboration among civil society organizations. The conference highlighted the role of feminist movements and civil society in holding institutions accountable, challenging discriminatory social norms, and advancing meaningful and lasting change.
Through the First Annual Conference on Strengthening the Women’s Agenda, Shirakat Foundation and its collaborating partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening feminist solidarity, promoting collective advocacy, and advancing an inclusive women’s rights agenda that responds to the realities and aspirations of women and girls.
The conference served as a platform for renewed dialogue, collaboration, and collective commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action, reinforcing the importance of translating its vision of equality, development, and peace into meaningful action for women and girls today and for future generations.