SWAT: A group of 40 young women from various disciplines and sectors of Swat designed different innovative solutions using STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to the issues facing their gender in the district. The initiative is part of a 15-day fellowship programme launched by Girls United for Human Rights to explore human rights and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through STEM. The fellowship trained participants in STEM education while aligning their projects with human rights issues and SDGs. The programme focused on topics such as health and well-being, gender equality, climate action and women rights. “This fellowship was a transformative journey for me,” said Gul Naz, a participant, who developed a project addressing harassment faced by women at workplaces, markets and educational institutions. “Using STEM tools, I was able to propose a technology-based safety application that alerts trusted contacts in real-time. It was empowering to address a critical issue that many women silently endure.” The fellowship also provided a platform to address psychological issues among women, a topic often overlooked in Swat. “I created a STEM project on mental health awareness, particularly focusing on post-traumatic stress and depression among women,” said Salwa Ahmad. “Through interactive technology, I carried out a survey and gathered data about women’s psychological issues and proposed a design that connects women with mental health professionals and resources. It feels amazing to use science for such a noble cause.” The cultural barriers faced by women in sports also took centre stage. Marwa Waqar shared her experience of tackling this sensitive topic through STEM. “My project used data analytics to map sports participation rates among women and the barriers they face, and found that except lack of women sports facilities majority of girls do not have permission from their families,” she said. “I proposed affordable infrastructure solutions and advocacy campaigns to break stereotypes. It’s time we recognise the importance of sports for women’s empowerment.” Human rights activist Hadiqa Bashir, who spearheaded the initiative, highlighted its significance. “This fellowship was not only about learning STEM but about empowering these young women to use science and technology as a tool for advocacy and solutions,” she said. Participants described the fellowship as a “multi-learning activity” that introduced them to the intersection of STEM, human rights, and SDGs for the first time. By the end of the programme, they carried out innovative projects addressing diverse issues such as justice for gender-based violence victims, environmental justice, and women’s decision-making roles in society. The fellows unanimously agreed that the programme had a lasting impact on their perspectives and capacities. “We’ve learnt that STEM isn’t just about equations and experiments,” said Aisha Khan, another fellow. “It’s a powerful means to advocate for justice and change.”