Simorgh

Simorgh Women's Resource and Publication Centre held a District Forum via Zoom, with active participation from the Lahore community and key stakeholders.

The forum served as an important platform to discuss pressing community issues, including the lack of access to safe drinking water, the need for more water filtration plants, Garbage disposal issues, and the lack of daily garbage disposal, and legal challenges faced by women, particularly regarding divorce rights and legal awareness.

Participants shared valuable insights, community concerns, and practical recommendations to address these challenges through collective action and stakeholder collaboration.

Grateful to everyone who joined and contributed to this meaningful discussion. Together, through dialogue and partnership, we can work toward stronger communities and sustainable solutions.

Simorgh Women's Resource and Publication Centre had an engaging and eye-opening climate change awareness session with the students of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Riphah International University.
The discussion was based on some of the most pressing environmental challenges affecting Pakistan today — from the rapid expansion of housing societies leading to a massive reduction in green spaces, to the alarming activities of the timber mafia removing forests from the northern areas.
The session also highlighted how deforestation is directly contributing to:
Unpredictable weather changes
---Rising temperatures and severe heat waves
---Water shortages caused by poor management and wastage
---Increasing smog levels are affecting public health and quality of life
---Effects of climate change on vulnerable groups
---Adapting climate-friendly habits, reduce kitchen garbage by converting it into organic fertilizers
---Save water and raise awareness about it
It was encouraging to see students actively sharing their concerns and ideas about sustainability, environmental responsibility, and the urgent need for better government planning and long-term policies.
Climate change is no longer a future problem — it is impacting our daily lives today. Awareness, collective action, and responsible development are essential if we want a healthier and safer future for the coming generations.
A big thank you to the students and faculty for their participation and thoughtful discussion. 🌱
We are sincerely thankful to Ammar Hameed for facilitating and supporting this advocacy session. Special appreciation to Dr. Arooj Iqbal for joining us on such short notice and graciously delivering an insightful career counseling session at the request of Riphah International University.

🌍 Advocacy Campaign on Climate Change at EQAN Girls College, Shahkot

The Simorgh team had the opportunity to speak at EQAN Girls College, Shahkot, about one of the most pressing issues of our time — climate change.

We discussed how climate change is not a one-day process. It has been happening for so long — through rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, floods, smog, and water scarcity. But most importantly, we reflected on how our daily actions contribute to this crisis:

▪️ Excessive plastic use
▪️ Poor waste management
▪️ Burning garbage and tyres
▪️ Food wastage
▪️ Water wastage
▪️ Lack of proper industrial and hospital waste disposal

A major concern highlighted was that Nankana Sahib and Shahkot currently lack proper garbage disposal systems, and there is no effective factory wastewater disposal mechanism. This not only damages the environment but also poses serious health risks to communities.

💡 We also explored solutions and responsibilities:

What we can do:

✔️ Reduce, reuse, and recycle
✔️ Avoid single-use plastics
✔️ Conserve water and electricity
✔️ Plant trees and protect green spaces
✔️ Raise awareness within our families and communities

What the government must ensure:

▪️ Establish proper solid waste management systems
▪️ Implement factory wastewater treatment regulations
▪️ Enforce environmental protection laws
▪️ Invest in renewable energy
▪️ Promote climate education at institutional levels

Climate action requires collective effort. Awareness is the first step, but action must follow — from individuals, institutions, industries, and policymakers alike.

We are proud to see young students engaging critically with these issues. The future belongs to them, and empowering them with knowledge is the foundation of sustainable change.