Independent (Maryam Javed)

As a social development professional and women’s rights advocate, I am dedicated to advancing social inclusion, equality, and community empowerment. Since 2019, I have served as Program Manager and Head of the Women’s Study Department at the Islamic Research Institute of Social Sciences (IRISS), where I design and coordinate initiatives that integrate academic insight with practical, community-centered solutions. My work focuses on empowering women, youth, minorities, and persons with disabilities through education, leadership development, and participatory governance. Beyond my role at IRISS, I have worked independently with the Media Foundation 360 as a Program Manager, supporting projects aimed at strengthening bilateral understanding and empowering media voices to enhance Pakistan–U.S. partnerships.I also worked with Pakistan Legal United Society (PLUS) as a Community Engagement Manager, focusing on building strong community linkages, implementing awareness campaigns, and promoting access to justice for vulnerable groups. My professional journey has also included collaborations with organizations such as UN Women, Afghan Pakistan Women Association (APWA), Community World Service Asia (CWSA), Rotary Parwaz Club, Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), IR Reader Society, and the Network of Disaster Management Practitioners (NDMP). I have designed and delivered training sessions on women’s rights, peacebuilding, and leadership, facilitated consultations with policymakers and community leaders, and conducted field research to understand and address social challenges, including the effects of climate change on rural Sindh. Under the Women’s Study Department at IRISS, I have organized national and community-level events, including seminars on International Women’s Day, entrepreneurship workshops for women on platforms like Daraz and Amazon, and online sessions to equip youth with skills for economic empowerment. My core expertise includes program design, qualitative and quantitative research, facilitation, monitoring and evaluation, proposal and report writing, and stakeholder coordination. I am currently pursuing my MPhil in International Relations at the University of Karachi, with a focus on gender, political theory, and communication. My academic and professional experiences strengthen my commitment to translating research into actionable social impact. Mission My mission is to contribute meaningfully to the welfare and empowerment of vulnerable groups—especially women, children, youth, and persons with disabilities—by fostering environments where they can live free from violence, discrimination, and marginalization. I aim to promote awareness, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives that transform communities and enhance human rights across society. Vision I envision a society where women are not merely seen as beneficiaries, but as leaders, peacebuilders, decision-makers, and change agents. My vision is to help build a peaceful, inclusive, and equitable society that upholds dignity, equality, and opportunities for all, enabling individuals to contribute meaningfully to the progress and harmony of their communities.