A tale of resilience and empowerment has unfolded in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, where Zarina Batool has helped transform her humble beginnings by pursuing the art of weaving.
In 2006, Zarina was motivated by her women friends to enroll in shawl making, promoted by the Gilgit Baltistan Rural Support Program (GBRSP).
That enabled Zarina and her husband, Syed Mehdi Shah to transform their dwelling into a permanent residence and send their daughter to a private school.
“I kept trying to get assistance from government departments to enable my wife to get a machine or begin her own training center. But our financial conditions didn’t allow us to do that right away,” says Zarina’s husband, Syed Mehdi Shah.
Around 2014, the couple set up the training center as a multi-purpose hub designed to train women to weave shawls and create market-oriented products for tourists.
“I’ve trained 20-25 girls. Now they’re successfully running their businesses in their respective villages,” says Zarina.
GBRSP spokesperson, Mohammed Hussain describes Zarina’s success story as having promoted her autonomy and that of the whole family.
“Whether it is her children’s education or access to good health. Now Zarina is able to decide independently about the betterment of her family,” says Hussain.
Zarina’s story is a narrative of empowerment, resilience, and the transformative impact of skills acquired by women on the entire community.