t was an open classroom where children mixed hydrogen peroxide, dishwashing liquid and potassium iodide to create a foam. The instructor asked, “So, what have we got now?”

“Elephant toothpaste!” the children shouted in unison, as excitement filled the air. They experimented with the chemicals, watching reactions unfold before their eyes. Laughter and wide-eyed wonder lit up their faces.

This wasn’t just a regular classroom—it was a special Junior Workshop titled Par-i-Surkhaab Ki Justuju (The Pursuit of the Surkhaab’s Feathers, laurels in Urdu idiom) that was being held as part of the Women of the World Festival, Pakistan 2025, at the Alhamra lawns last weekend. The festival, a grand celebration of ideas, discussions and performances, offered a rich experience for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The WOW Festival, held on February 1 and 2, was a vibrant celebration of women’s achievements, resilience and creativity. This year, the festival’s theme was Surkhaab. The bird symbolizes women’s soaring spirit and strength. Organised by the British Council, Pakistan in collaboration with the WOW Foundation and Alhamra Arts Council, the event featured over 100 delegates, including activists, artists, writers and thought leaders from around the globe.

WOW Festival is a global movement that celebrates the achievements of women and girls while addressing their challenges. The festival was first held in Lahore in 2018 to promote gender equality and empower women through discussions, performances and workshops.

Leading the STEM Lab activity was Zaina, who, despite appearing exhausted, was eager to answer questions from curious children and their parents.

“We are here at the WOW Festival representing STEM Lab, and our aim is to empower women and children,” she said. “What children experience here is hands-on learning; they get to do what they only read about in books. The connection is amazing.”

WOW Pakistan 2025 featured several inspiring events. One of the highlights was the play Chop Kazamihay Di (Nanjali Play) by Arbitram Academy, which impressed the audience with its powerful storytelling.

The festival also featured discussions on culture, identity and the evolving role of women in shaping the world.

At the session Women as Guardians of Living Heritage, Mariam Saleem Farooqi described how personal experiences shape one’s engagement with culture. She spoke about how her privilege of having access to the arts and studying abroad changed her perspective.

“Seeing art up close instead of just in books was an eye-opening experience,” she said. She acknowledged how global events impact cultural expression. She brought into discussion security concerns in the late 2000s which halted many public events. Covid-19 brought another wave of restrictions. She talked about the anxiety that persisted, even after the lockdowns were lifted.

“The first concert I attended after the pandemic felt overwhelming. Instead of the usual shared energy, I was just anxious,” she said.

She also talked about cricket’s return to Pakistan and its importance in rekindling national spirit. “Cricket is back but at what cost?” she asked, referring to the high-security measures that disrupt daily life. “Is it worth it if it means roadblocks and school closures?”

“We are here at the WOW Festival representing STEM Lab, and our aim is to empower women and children,” said Zaina, STEM Lab activity lead.

The audience said that it was worth enduring road blockade as cricket had a role in inspiring young generations. “Today, children look up to female cricketers just like they look up to male players. That’s progress,” she said, and invited the audience to take over the workshop. Everyone spoke.

The conversation on women’s roles continued in the session Reframing the Gaze: How Media Shapes Gender, Culture and Progress.

Some women journalists and panelists said that they still faced barriers. A participant shared her experience of being denied a protest assignment because “you are a woman. And women should cover the weather, not protests.”

The media scene is changing, but the discussion focused on how structural barriers persisted.

“When women hold leadership positions, narratives shift,” one panelist said.

“Stories that were once ignored finally get told.” But safety and inclusion remain pertinent issues. One journalist shared her stories of having to stay in an unsafe accommodation during an assignment. When she refused, she was taken off the project.

Parenting challenges were discussed in another intimate session titled Anokhay Parents – A Fireside Chat with Maryam Munir, a published author and trauma-informed parent coach, and Mina Malik.

Maryam led an exercise.

“Close your eyes,” she instructed. “Listen.”

She then repeated a single word: “No.”

“No. No. No. No. No. No.”

After a pause, she asked, “How do you feel?”

“Tense,” someone answered.

“Now, listen again.”

She repeated a different word: “Yes.”

“Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.”

People smiled. Some relaxed.

“This is how language affects us,” Maryam said. “Imagine what children feel when they hear constant criticism. Imagine the difference if they were validated instead.”

Her message was a powerful reminder of how small changes in parenting can shape a child’s emotional well-being.

The festival also featured sessions on technology. In a session on How AI is Reshaping Learning and College Admissions, young panelists took charge to dissect artificial intelligence’s role in transforming education.

“AI personalises learning, but it cannot replace human connection,” Zoya Azfar said. “It’s a tool, not a fix for a broken education system.”

Mahad Ahmad said using AI to some extent was fine but over-reliance on AI-generated content could be a problem. “AI can write essays but it lacks emotion and originality. At the end of the day, if it gets something wrong, the student suffers.”

Mydah Azhar said balancing AI-driven learning with in-person interaction could alter the frame. “Education is not just about completing assignments. It is also about developing social skills, teamwork and critical thinking.”

Izrah Meyer conducted a workshop, Spread Your Wings: Dynamics of Gender and Power, encouraging participants to challenge unfair social rules and believe in their potential.

The event also featured a discussion on The Age of Digital Literacy, where Aisha Shabaugh and Sarah Almer, moderated by Norman Malik, talked about the importance of digital skills for women. A breathtaking dance performance, Release, by Monstra Khan and Wolfha Weari, captivated the audience. Additionally, scholar Bolsturi led a practical workshop, Financial Autonomy for Entrepreneurs, providing useful guidance for women starting their own businesses.

Despite the festival’s rich offerings, attendance was notably thin. Many halls remained nearly empty. Limited publicity probably contributed to the low turnout. There were some complaints of overcharging at festival stalls.

Ahsan Malik is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship