Under the LISTEN project, Aurat Foundation in collaboration with Oxfam GB and Ahsas Welfare Foundation, organized a launching ceremony of ZEWER (Zeal Efforts for Women Empowerment & Rights) project on International Women's Day, 8 March, 2016, at Pakistan National Council of Art (PNCA), Islamabad. The project is attributed as an achievement of women leaders' struggle. It would be implemented in four districts namely Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Nowshera and Attock. This collaborative effort was made to appreciate women leaders group efforts towards sustainability and continuity of LISTEN project. The project is aimed at right based advocacy and social development by providing education, skill and entrepreneurship to the deprived and marginalised girls in four districts at the first stage.

The event was attended by honourable guests like H.E. E. A. S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Deputy High Commissioner Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ambassador of Ukraine H.E. Volodymyr Lakomov, parliamentarians, social activist and women leaders groups.

On the occasion Mr. Naeem Ahmed Mirza, COO, Aurat Foundation, said that women are more than 50% of the population of Pakistan and hence deserve 50% share in jobs, and natural resources, land, education and development, and in fact half of the planet as per theme for this year’s International Women Day i.e. ‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality.

Mr. Lakomov said that for empowerment education of women is necessary and women of Pakistan are brave for peace and prosperity of the nation their inclusion is necessary. While addressing the ceremony, Ms. Edirisinghe said that Pakistani women are hard worker and they are contributing a lot not only at national level but also international level. She gave example of Ms. Sharmeen Obaid and Ms. Malala Yousafzai. She said there is a need to make women stronger to build not only good economy but also good society.