The 16th Annual Convention kicked off with a two-day Civil Society Learning Event on October 28, where SAQE set an upbeat and collaborative tone. Zehra Arshad, Executive Director of SAQE, welcomed members with opening remarks that framed the day around dialogue, reflection, and collective growth for Pakistan’s civil society actors.
The first session, delivered by Laraib Kiani, Program Coordinator at SAQE, focused on Strengthening Organizational GESI Capacity and examined practical ways institutions can embed gender equality and social inclusion into their values, policies, and everyday practices. Participants considered how to make organizational systems more responsive so that GESI capacity becomes a living part of program design and workplace culture.
In the second session, Urwa Naeem, Program Coordinator at SAQE, led a discussion on Safeguarding through a Human Rights Lens, highlighting how rights-based approaches can foster safer and more inclusive spaces for staff and communities. The session emphasized accountability, respect for dignity, and practical measures that organisations can take to protect vulnerable groups.
Attendees actively translated conversation into action through group exercises and reflective activities that turned theory into practical learning. Exercises encouraged participants to map current practices, identify gaps, and sketch next steps for integrating safeguarding and GESI capacity into ongoing work across Pakistan’s non-profit sector.
The Civil Society Learning Event underlined SAQE’s commitment to capacity building and inclusion, offering civil society leaders tangible tools to strengthen institutional practices. By centering gender equality, social inclusion, and human rights in its sessions, the event aimed to equip organisations with the knowledge and momentum to make workplaces and programs safer and more inclusive for all.
