CHITRAL: A seven-day awareness program for young women concluded on Thursday in Lower Chitral.
The initiative aimed to educate girls about their rights and help them deal with personal and social challenges.
The District Youth Office Lower Chitral and District Administration supervised the program, while the Zhur Niamat Development Foundation (Jughoor) organized and delivered the sessions.The program focused on key topics such as women’s rights, digital harassment, domestic violence, mental health, and career guidance.
Trainers held interactive sessions, where young women asked questions, shared concerns, and received practical advice.Women in Chitral continue to face serious issues – early marriages, limited education, social restrictions, and poor access to healthcare.
Many remain unaware of their legal rights or hesitate to speak up due to social stigma.Officials and health experts have raised alarm over the growing rate of suicide among women in the region. They link this trend to mental stress, isolation, and lack of emotional support. Cultural silence around mental health makes the problem worse.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Abdul Salam addressed the closing ceremony. He called the situation “deeply concerning” and urged parents, teachers, and community leaders to act immediately. He also assured the district administration’s full support for such initiatives.
Organizers hope the program will build confidence among young women and help create a more informed, inclusive, and supportive society in Chitral.