By Ijaz Ahmad Khan
TORONTO: The Zalmi Foundation, in collaboration with UN Women and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, commemorated the global 16-day of activism against gender-based violence campaign with a dynamic, youth-driven event at Peshawar. Centered on the theme “From the Field to the feed: Standing Strong Against Digital Violence,” the event highlighted how sports, technology, and community engagement can work together to end digital violence against women and girls.
This year’s 16 Days theme places a nationwide focus on combating digital forms of gender-based violence (GBV), including cyberstalking, online harassment, doxxing, identity theft, misinformation campaigns, and AI-enabled harm that disproportionately affects women and girls. As online abuse increasingly translates into real-world consequences, the campaign calls for stronger protections, innovative digital tools, and inclusive spaces, on the field and online, where women can safely participate, compete, and lead. The event opened with a tour of digital safety booths, where participants explored cybersecurity tools, reporting helplines, and UN-led initiatives designed to prevent digital GBV.
The interactive space demonstrated how community awareness and accessible technology can transform safety outcomes for women across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A major highlight was the women’s cricket match, live-streamed nationwide, symbolizing the power of sports to challenge stereotypes, build confidence, and amplify women’s visibility both online and offline. Jacqui Ketunuti, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women, emphasized the profound connection between sports, empowerment, and digital inclusion. “When women step onto the field – whether it is a cricket ground or the digital space – they claim their right to participate, to lead, and to be seen. But participation is only meaningful when safety is guaranteed. Today’s event shows what is possible when communities, youth, and institutions unite to ensure that women and girls are protected from digital harm and empowered to thrive in every arena of life.” Representing the Zalmi Foundation, Mian Abbas Layaq highlighted the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to women’s sports and empowerment.
He highlighted, “Sports have the power to unite, uplift, and transform. When a girl holds a cricket bat, she is not just playing a game – she is asserting her talent, her confidence, and her right to equal opportunity. Zalmi Foundation is proud to champion initiatives that combine sportsmanship with digital safety, ensuring our young women have platforms to grow and shine.” Addressing the gathering, Kamran Ahmed Afridi, Secretary Higher Education, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting women’s rights in all spaces, “Digital violence is real violence, and its impact is lasting. The Higher Education Department, together with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is committed to strengthening safeguards, improving institutional response, and fostering safer digital learning environments. Speaking on behalf of the KP Commission on the Status of Women, Sumaira Shams, Chairperson KPCSW, stressed the importance of creating safe and equal opportunities for women. “Women in KP are breaking barriers – in education, in governance, in sports. It is our responsibility to ensure that digital spaces do not become new barriers to their progress.” She emphasized on strengthening reporting mechanisms, building awareness, and engaging youth to create an environment where women can participate confidently and without fear. Following the ceremony, winner and runner-up teams were awarded trophies in an energizing prize distribution that celebrated the strength, discipline, and talent of women athletes. The event concluded with a Digital Commitment Wall, where participants pledged to champion safer online spaces, followed by the powerful Orange Sky Moment, led by a youth drum circle. The Peshawar event marks another milestone in the nationwide 16 Days of activism campaign, organized jointly by UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, and the UN Resident Coordinator Office, in partnership with provincial governments and civil society. The series began in Lahore, continued through Quetta, and will travel to Islamabad while culminating with a national closing ceremony in Karachi.
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