Shehersaaz and SOS Children’s Villages Pakistan Sign MoC to Advance Climate-Resilient Learning Spaces
Shehersaaz has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with SOS Children's Villages Pakistan to implement climate adaptation interventions at SOS Children's Home, Rawalpindi, under the PROGRESSIVE Programme supported by the Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (PUCCAR).
The collaboration will introduce practical climate resilience measures, including the installation of a rainwater harvesting unit, developing kitchen garden, awareness and capacity-building activities, and technical support to create safer, more sustainable educational environments. The partnership also reinforces commitments to child safeguarding, environmental sustainability, and community resilience while contributing to long-term climate adaptation efforts in Pakistan. Stay tuned while we begin another intervention of hope, growth and resilience.
The collaboration will introduce practical climate resilience measures, including the installation of a rainwater harvesting unit, developing kitchen garden, awareness and capacity-building activities, and technical support to create safer, more sustainable educational environments. The partnership also reinforces commitments to child safeguarding, environmental sustainability, and community resilience while contributing to long-term climate adaptation efforts in Pakistan. Stay tuned while we begin another intervention of hope, growth and resilience.
Women and Water: Lahore Dialogue Advances Gender-Responsive Solutions for Water Security
LAHORE — Continuing it’s national Dialogue Series 2026, Shehersaaz hosted its second session, "Women and Water," at the University of Home Economics (UHE), Lahore. Building on the findings of the inaugural Rawalpindi event, the dialogue gathered public officials, academics, civil society organizations, and local community members to analyze the gendered impacts of Pakistan's accelerating water crisis and evaluate municipal governance failures.
The conference was organized under the Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (PUCCAR), focusing on gender-disaggregated environmental data, urban water contamination, and community-led conservation solutions.
Key Findings & Socio-Economic Impacts
Key Takeaway: Groundwater levels in major urban centers are falling by 3 feet per year, demanding immediate integration of rainwater capture infrastructure and enforceable municipal rationing.
Community Action & Policy Next Steps
To promote ground-level conservation, Shehersaaz introduced "Droppy"—an educational mascot designed to teach children and communities practical water-saving habits. Leaders from WaterAid, WISE, Aurat Foundation, and WASA emphasized that long-term water security requires inclusive decision-making that integrates women, domestic workers, and marginalized groups.
The Shehersaaz Dialogue Series 2026 continues to hold its next session in Islamabad on July 23, focusing on “Housing Matters in the light of Youth” at LEADS University, Islamabad.
The conference was organized under the Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (PUCCAR), focusing on gender-disaggregated environmental data, urban water contamination, and community-led conservation solutions.
Key Findings & Socio-Economic Impacts
Key Takeaway: Groundwater levels in major urban centers are falling by 3 feet per year, demanding immediate integration of rainwater capture infrastructure and enforceable municipal rationing.
| Sector | Identified Challenge | Proposed Solution |
| Municipal Storage (WASA) | Rapid groundwater depletion and storm runoff waste. | Installation of underground water storage tanks and localized rainwater harvesting units. |
| Academic & Technological Research | Drinking water contamination and non-biodegradable waste. | Adoption of low-cost water purification technologies and eco-friendly alternatives. |
| Regulatory Frameworks | Fragmented allocation post-18th Amendment and legislative voids. | Enforcing strict volumetric water metering, city-level rationing, and legal inclusion of source regions (GB and AJK) |
Community Action & Policy Next Steps
To promote ground-level conservation, Shehersaaz introduced "Droppy"—an educational mascot designed to teach children and communities practical water-saving habits. Leaders from WaterAid, WISE, Aurat Foundation, and WASA emphasized that long-term water security requires inclusive decision-making that integrates women, domestic workers, and marginalized groups.
The Shehersaaz Dialogue Series 2026 continues to hold its next session in Islamabad on July 23, focusing on “Housing Matters in the light of Youth” at LEADS University, Islamabad.
Women and Water: Rawalpindi Dialogue Highlights Gender Disparities in Water Governance
RAWALPINDI — Shehersaaz convened its inaugural session, on the Dialogue Series titled "Women and Water" at Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Rawalpindi. The symposium brought together academics, development practitioners, municipal authorities, researchers, and community champions to examine the gender dimensions of water governance and outline actionable strategies for urban climate resilience in Pakistan.
Organized under the Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (PUCCAR), the event established a framework for evidence-based discussions on addressing water scarcity, drought, and flooding across vulnerable settlements in Rawalpindi and Nowshera.
Key Takeaway: Sustainable water management requires transitioning from superficial public awareness campaigns to long-term community ownership, backed by gender-disaggregated data and youth stewardship.
Future Trajectory
The session concluded with calls for formal partnerships between municipal authorities (such as WASA) and university researchers to design localized, gender-responsive water retention initiatives.
Following the conclusion of the Rawalpindi proceedings, the Shehersaaz Dialogue Series moves to Lahore for its second session on gender-inclusive water governance.
Organized under the Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (PUCCAR), the event established a framework for evidence-based discussions on addressing water scarcity, drought, and flooding across vulnerable settlements in Rawalpindi and Nowshera.
Key Takeaway: Sustainable water management requires transitioning from superficial public awareness campaigns to long-term community ownership, backed by gender-disaggregated data and youth stewardship.
| Focus Area | Identified Deficit | Strategic Solution |
| Gender Inclusion in Decision-Making | Women manage daily domestic water needs but remain excluded from formal municipal planning. | Enforce direct participation of women in local water management boards and governance committees. |
| Urban Rainwater Harvesting | Higher adoption in rural zones compared to urban centers due to behavioral barriers. | Deploy household-level rainwater collection units supported by urban municipal incentives. |
| Behavioral & Incentive Models | Lack of sustained, generational resource conservation habits. | Integrate practical climate stewardship into primary school curricula and introduce water/energy credit systems. |
Future Trajectory
The session concluded with calls for formal partnerships between municipal authorities (such as WASA) and university researchers to design localized, gender-responsive water retention initiatives.
Following the conclusion of the Rawalpindi proceedings, the Shehersaaz Dialogue Series moves to Lahore for its second session on gender-inclusive water governance.
Shehersaaz Strengthens Climate Action Through “Integrated Rainwater Harvesting System” at NUST
The new “Integrated Rainwater Harvesting Unit” at the NUST School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), Islamabad, opened on June 8,2026, marked by a special ribbon cutting ceremony by NUST, Shehersaaz and UN-Habitat. Reinforcing its commitment to advancing climate-resilient and sustainable educational infrastructure across Pakistan, the initiative is implemented under PROGRESSIVE (Program for Safe, Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Educational Places for All), a flagship long-term program of Shehersaaz dedicated to integrating climate adaptation into public and educational spaces.
The inauguration was graced by Dr. Mohammad Irfan, Principal & Dean of SCEE, NUST, Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Senior Advisor/Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat and Ms. Almas Shakoor, Executive Director of Shehersaaz, along with distinguished representatives from UN-Habitat, Shehersaaz, and the faculty of SCEE NUST.
Designed to capture and utilize rainwater efficiently, the system will directly benefit over 1,000 students and faculty members, reducing dependence on conventional water sources and promoting sustainable water resource management. Beyond its operational value, the installation serves as a practical learning model for students, researchers, and future engineers, demonstrating real-world applications of climate-smart infrastructure.
According to NUST 80% students are using the facility and benefiting from it.
The project is part of the broader PUCCAR Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, implemented by Shehersaaz in partnership with UN-Habitat and supported financially by the Adaptation Fund, highlighting the strength of global-local collaboration in addressing urban climate challenges.
During the event, NUST leadership appreciated Shehersaaz’s impactful intervention and expressed interest in expanding similar sustainability initiatives, recognizing the importance of scaling climate-resilient infrastructure in academic institutions.
Through visionary leadership and consistent delivery of innovative solutions, Shehersaaz continues to position itself as a leading force in climate adaptation, urban resilience, and sustainable development in Pakistan, transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for long-term impact and community benefit.
The inauguration was graced by Dr. Mohammad Irfan, Principal & Dean of SCEE, NUST, Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Senior Advisor/Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat and Ms. Almas Shakoor, Executive Director of Shehersaaz, along with distinguished representatives from UN-Habitat, Shehersaaz, and the faculty of SCEE NUST.
Designed to capture and utilize rainwater efficiently, the system will directly benefit over 1,000 students and faculty members, reducing dependence on conventional water sources and promoting sustainable water resource management. Beyond its operational value, the installation serves as a practical learning model for students, researchers, and future engineers, demonstrating real-world applications of climate-smart infrastructure.
According to NUST 80% students are using the facility and benefiting from it.
The project is part of the broader PUCCAR Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, implemented by Shehersaaz in partnership with UN-Habitat and supported financially by the Adaptation Fund, highlighting the strength of global-local collaboration in addressing urban climate challenges.
During the event, NUST leadership appreciated Shehersaaz’s impactful intervention and expressed interest in expanding similar sustainability initiatives, recognizing the importance of scaling climate-resilient infrastructure in academic institutions.
Through visionary leadership and consistent delivery of innovative solutions, Shehersaaz continues to position itself as a leading force in climate adaptation, urban resilience, and sustainable development in Pakistan, transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for long-term impact and community benefit.