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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Strengthening its mission to foster safer, resilient communities, Shehersaaz has extended critical emergency response support to Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 4th March 2026. This initiative is being implemented under the Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (PUCCAR) and its associated program, Program for Safe, Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Education Places for All (PROGRESSIVE), supported by UN-Habitat and the Adaptation Fund.
This handover marks a key step in turning shared priorities into tangible outcomes. By equipping frontline responders with essential tools, the initiative directly contributes to improving emergency readiness and supporting timely response in high-risk situations.
Through this effort, Shehersaaz provided 06 foldable lightweight aluminum wheelchairs, 06 stretchers with aluminum rods, and 06 manual emergency sirens to strengthen operational preparedness. In parallel, 25 plastic planters and 02 compost bags were included to support environmental initiatives that contribute to healthier and more sustainable communities.
The equipment was formally received and verified by representatives of Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi through an established documentation process. This ensures accountability while reinforcing a partnership built on coordination and shared responsibility.
The support reflects a broader collaboration that extends beyond resource provision. Ongoing efforts include community awareness sessions, first responder trainings, and the development of localized safety mechanisms that enable communities to better navigate emergencies.
At its core, this initiative focuses on reducing vulnerability and strengthening systems that protect lives. By supporting both institutional capacity and community-level preparedness, Shehersaaz is helping create a more responsive and inclusive approach to urban safety.
As urban and climate-related challenges continue to evolve, such partnerships remain essential. Together with Rescue 1122, Shehersaaz continues to advance practical solutions that enable communities to respond effectively and build a more secure future.
Shehersaaz's First Stakeholder Meeting took place at Hotel Margala on November 22nd, 2023.
Experts and professionals working on Climate Change and Adaptation were invited to attend the meeting and share their insights as well.
The meeting began with Recitation of Holy Quran followed by Welcome remarks and brief Introduction of Shehersaaz presented by Executive Director, Ms. Almas Shakoor who shared purpose and agenda of the meeting.
Program Manager UN-Habitat Mr. Khalil Ahmed shared his remarks and the meeting formally began.
A brief overview of the AF Project was presented by Ms. Shakoor where evolution, governance, components, dimensions, and dynamics of the project were highlighted.
A short video was played related to the overall project and its three major components.
Two panel discussions took place moderated by CR&N Coordinator Anahita Sajjad.
Panel 1 consisted of “Community Participation” of Stakeholders/beneficiaries where they discussed about the benefits of the three components of PUCCAAR sharing their firsthand experiences.
1- Rain Water Harvesting Units (RWHU)
2- Solid Waste Management (SWM)
3- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Panel Participants:
1- Ms. Mehreen Bibi (RWHU)
2- Ms. Ayesha Fayyaz (SWM)
3- Mr. Tufail (DRR)
Panel 2 had “Experts” who shared their expertise in Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable and Resilience based projects and Urban Development in context to Climate Change.
1- Dr. Mariam Saleh (Director Weather and Climate Services)
2- Ms. Azra Shahid (Rescue Safety Officer 1122)
3- Mr. Shoaib Haider (Country Director HOPE 87)
4- Dr. Mansoor Ali (UK) Theme Lead Waste Burning, Royal Academy of Engineering (Participated Online)
Mr. Azeem Khoso Director Ministry of Climate Change concluded the event with his remarks followed by Souvenir Distribution, Group Photo and Lunch.
Shehersaaz was able to present its Project on Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience successfully and will continue to keep the level of productivity to its maximum strength.
