Role and Contribution of Non-Governmental Organizations in Women Empowerment: A Case Study of the All Pakistan Women’s Association

The world is facing many challenges, including poverty, hunger, racism, gender inequality, and gender-based violence, while moving towards the twenty-first century. Governments are struggling to address these social issues, but their intensity is increasing day by day owing to numerous reasons like inequality in international structure, class system, armed conflicts, and so on. To solve these issues, it is necessary that governments and civil society work together. By working together for a common solution to these issues, GOs and NGOs can bring about the required change. In this context NGOs are considered as relatively more significant vehicles of change. In Pakistan, feminist activism and women’s organizations were initially led and established by upper and upper middle-class women. This aspect is evidently reflected in the formulation of agenda and strategies adopted for achievement of their goals. All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA) is the oldest and most respected non-governmental organization of Pakistan. It advocates a gradual change in the context of Islamic culture and family laws. One of the basic objectives of APWA is the informed participation of Pakistani women in the growth and development of the country. Results further show that APWA is actively participating in the well-being, reshaping of the society, empowering women, and enhancing the status of women and children. In conclusion, non-governmental organizations are playing their role dynamically to reform the society by empowering women.