WOW Karachi 2016 - Event Management by Production 021

Women of the World Festival from the Southbank to Karachi

On 1st May 9,000 people made their way to the Beach Luxury Hotel for WOW - Women of the World Festival, Karachi. It was a day of talks, debates, performances and workshops celebrating the achievements of women and girls; a rare opportunity to hear the stories of female artists and activists from Pakistan and beyond sharing their achievements and discussing the obstacles and barriers that prevent women from achieving their potential.

WOW Karachi saw Pakistan leading the way spearheading the first WOW Festival to happen in South Asia. It was produced by the Southbank Centre, the British Council and a team of brilliant curators from Karachi. WOW was founded by Jude Kelly in 2011 to mark the centenary of International Women’s Day at London’s Southbank Centre. Since then it has established itself as a major global festival - taking place every year in London over many days – but also developing an extensive and rapidly growing global network of festivals. So far WOW has taken place in Finland, Australia, Somalia and America to name just a few.
The festival was free and open to everyone. At 10.30am the doors to the Beach Luxury opened and almost immediately the space was thronged with people of all ages - men and women, girls and boys - from all corners of society. They were there to listen and take part in the talks, debates, performances, music, speed-mentoring, workshops on volunteering and how to start a business, zumba classes and a feminist corner for the Under 10s to debate and get involved. WOW Karachi was for everyone and it was a festival that aimed to energise and provide inspiration.