British Council to host WOW Pakistan 2026 in Karachi
Karachi – British Council, in partnership with the WOW Foundation, UNFPA and Entrepreneurship and Community Development Institute (ECDI) is set to celebrate 10 years of WOW – Women of the World Festival Pakistan. The WOW festival will take place at the Beach, on the 24th and 25th of January and will celebrate women’s achievements, foster dialogue, and address the challenges they face. The festival invites women, girls, and families to enjoy a diverse and inclusive program.
James Hampson, Country Director, British Council Pakistan said: “As we celebrate a decade of Women of the World (WOW) Pakistan it is right that we take a moment to reflect on what 10 years of this Festival has meant since that first gathering in Karachi. 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 said: “WOW Pakistan began with a simple conviction: women’s voices matter, and when they are heard without apology, something shifts. For ten years, this community has built space where ideas could surface, connect, and move forward – even when the world urged restraint. Dastak is both a knock and a claim: I am here. Movements don’t begin alone or all at once – they begin with each knock adding to the next, building force, until a quiet heartbeat becomes a shared rhythm in motion. ‘Das’ means ten, ‘tak’ means so far – and this moment belongs to everyone who has carried WOW with their belief, love, and support. 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 & Founder of The WOW Foundation, said: “When I founded WOW, I always 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 an extraordinary beacon of creativity, courage and collective action. As we mark this anniversary in Karachi, we celebrate the progress made, honour those who paved the way, and renew our resolve to keep dreaming big and working together for lasting change.”
The festival promises an inclusive experience for all with sign language interpretation, Braille resources, wheel-chair friendly ramps and walkways ensuring participation for everyone.
The festival’s vibrant lineup includes:
• Opening panel with Senator Sherry Rehman, Jude Kelly CBE, CEO and Founder of The WOW Foundation and Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner to Pakistan. The panel will be moderated by journalist Sidra Iqbal.
• Kathak dance performance by Nighat Chaudhry
• Performances by musicians Natasha Baig and Baber Sheikh
• Live Musical performances by Ustad Noor Buksh
• Panel on AI: Coded Inequality Moderated by Amber Shamsi
• Fireside Chat: Cancer Chaos and Creative Ethos with Angeline Malik
• Master class on Investment by Mashal Khan
• Performances by Sindhi artists
• Dance performance: Unfolding: A Celebration That Raised Us by Adnan Jahangir and Daughters
• Songs and Stories for Children by Khalid Anum
• Performance by GRIPS theatre
This year’s theme, Dastak: A New World Is Knocking, marks ten years of women creating, leading, and shaping change. Dastak symbolizes momentum, possibility, and the power of collective becoming, honouring how far we have come while calling us toward what is next. It is an invitation to recognise this moment of transition and to open the door to new narratives, new leadership, and a future shaped together.
Through the WOW Festival, the British Council continues to create platforms for women to voice concerns, challenge systemic barriers, and celebrate their accomplishments.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
