Pink Ribbon Pakistan and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) honoured the efforts of over 2.5 million youth ambassadors in promoting breast cancer awareness through the Pink Ribbon HEC Youth Awards at the HEC Headquarters. The event celebrated colleges and universities nationwide that participated in awareness activities over the past two years, as well as individual dedication to breaking the stigma surrounding breast cancer across Pakistan.
The annual Pink Ribbon HEC Youth Awards, organised in collaboration with the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), recognised the contributions of students, faculty, and administrative staff from various higher education institutions. Since October is globally observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pink Ribbon Pakistan marks it as “Pinktober,” coordinating a range of seminars, walks, art competitions, and informational campaigns. These initiatives encourage early detection and support fundraising for Pakistan’s first dedicated Breast Cancer Trust Hospital.
During the ceremony, a total of 47 awards were distributed, acknowledging outstanding performance in awareness activities for 2023 and 2024. Winning institutions were honoured in several categories for their commitment in spreading vital health information to Pakistan’s youth. For 2023, first position went to Beaconhouse College Programme PECHS Campus Karachi and Women University Multan, while Government College for Women Jhelum and Bahria University Islamabad secured second place. The 2024 top awards were claimed by Government Graduate College for Women Lahore Cantt and the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design. Special awards were also given for best new initiatives, social media engagement, and regional outreach.
The event featured senior dignitaries, including Dr. Noor Amna Malik, Managing Director NAHE, and Omer Aftab, CEO Pink Ribbon. Dr. Malik praised the program as a transformative model for how academic institutions and civil society can drive social change, noting that 180 universities are now part of the campaign. She highlighted plans to integrate breast cancer awareness into university leadership agendas and scholar training.
Omer Aftab emphasized the longstanding partnership between HEC and Pink Ribbon, which has educated millions of young women on cancer prevention and healthy living since 2012. He pointed out that nearly half of all cancer cases in women in Pakistan are breast cancer, with incidence rates rising annually. The Pink Ribbon Trust Hospital continues to provide free diagnostics for underprivileged families in need.
Institutional leaders also spoke at the event, sharing the impact of awareness campaigns. Ms. Samina Rao called for further efforts to break social stigma and ensure timely diagnosis, while Dr. Zile Huma highlighted the alarming statistics of 90,000 new cases and 60,000 deaths each year in Pakistan, urging a stronger focus on modifiable risk factors. Prof. Dr. Atta Ullah Shah noted that one-fifth of reported cancers in Gilgit-Baltistan are breast cancer and detailed his university’s initiatives to promote early detection.
The Pink Ribbon HEC Youth Awards serve as a significant platform to recognize and motivate young leaders, institutions, and educators to continue raising awareness and fighting the spread of breast cancer in Pakistan.
