Spokesman Report
Karachi, 26 January 2026 – The British Council’s WOW – Women of the World Festival in collaboration with Shan Foods, UNFPA, Jafferjees, Generation, Toni and Guy, Spa Ceylon, ECDI Pakistan and Olomopolo Media concluded on 25 January at the Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi. The two-day festival which was free and open to the public had an attendance of over 12,500 people.
The opening keynote at the festival featured the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott with Senator Sherry Rehman, CBE Founder Director at the WOW Foundation, Jude Kelly, senior journalist and writer Mahnaz Rahman in a session moderated by journalist Sidra Iqbal. This powerful keynote set the tone for two days of dialogue, debate, and celebration.
The programme for the WOW festival also included one-of-a-kind panels, workshops, film screenings, immersive performances, vibrant marketplaces and music performances.
The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE said: “Empowering women and girls is central to the UK’s partnership with Pakistan. As WOW marks 10 years in Pakistan, the festival highlights the creativity, resilience, and leadership of Pakistan’s women and girls. It creates space for open conversations, bold ideas, and collaboration across generations and communities, inviting all of us to play our part in advancing gender equality.”
Laila Jamil, Director Arts South Asia at the British Council said: “Over the years, I have seen WOW grow not through spectacle, but through intention. It has been shaped by careful listening, by an insistence on artistic and intellectual freedom, and by a deep respect for local voices. To every artist, speaker, partner, volunteer and participant who has shaped WOW over these ten years, thank you. Your contributions remind us why the arts matter, especially in moments of challenge and change.”
Helen Silvester, the Regional Director South Asia at the British Council said: “This was a particularly special edition of WOW, as we celebrated its 10th anniversary in Pakistan. The British Council has been at the heart of this journey in Pakistan. By championing the arts, education, and cultural exchange, the British Council has helped ensure that WOW in Pakistan is not just an event, but a movement, one that connects local talent with global ideas, and turns creativity into confidence and opportunity.”
In 2026 the British Council will also be celebrating the 10th anniversary of reopening their libraries in Karachi and Lahore with a special series of activities and events. The British Council’s libraries are vibrant hubs for learning, research, and cultural engagement, offering unparalleled access to books, resources, and community events.
Over the past decade, WOW in Pakistan has grown into a powerful platform for dialogue, creativity, and change. It has brought together thousands of women and girls across cities, campuses, and communities, creating space for conversations that matter, and spotlighting voices that deserve to be heard.
