FAO Feature Story
Mountain girls celebrated in Pakistan
Girls in Pakistan's Swat Valley explore nature, embrace heritage and break cultural barriers.
07/03/2025
International Women's Day on 8 March celebrates the power and potential of women worldwide. In the spirit of International Women's Day, we celebrate the impactful work of Mountain Partnership member, Mountain Wilderness and their project Swat Girls in Action. Mountain Wilderness is an association that is dedicated to the preservation of mountain areas, in their natural and cultural aspects. With the aim to create a protected area in this mountainous region at the base of the Karakorum giants, in Northern Pakistan’s Swat district, an empowering initiative was born.
The Swat Valley is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan, recognized by many for its majestic mountains and pristine nature. The valley has towering mountains, crystal-clear streams, diverse wildlife, vibrant colours and a rich history. Despite its natural beauty and historical significance, Swat presents cultural challenges, particularly for women, with traditions that suppress and confine.
Maria is a 21-year-old girl from Saidu Sharif, a town in the Swat Valley. She describes her hometown as both majestic and restrictive, acknowledging a deep connection to the land while recognizing the restrictive cultural norms. She notes that women's lives are often scripted from birth, with limited opportunities to stray from the norm, where the woman's traditional role is to serve within the home. Despite these challenges, Maria was determined to participate in Swat Girls in Action project.
Swat Girls in Action is a project launched in 2022 by Carlo Alberto Pinelli, Director of the Asian Desk at Mountain Wilderness. The success of this course led to a second edition in 2024, officially sponsored by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial authorities, with support from the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, to promote tourism, conservation and the development of local skills, particularly among women from this mountainous region. The course was entirely designed for young women between the ages of 18 and 24, with an all-female teaching staff specializing in mountaineering, trekking, ecology and environmental awareness, mountain medicine and first aid and the history of ancient art and cultural heritage. The project included both theoretical lessons and practical outdoor experiences, such as hiking to historical sites and rock climbing. To date, some 50 girls have been trained through the Swat Girls in Action initiative.
Maria describes her experience as ‘the best experience of her life’. In the mountains that surround her home, she felt a sense of freedom and belonging in nature, describing it as a place where society, gender and discrimination do not exist. The training awakened her inner spirit and provided a sense of victory over limitations, allowing her to believe in herself.
The Swat Girls in Action project had a significant impact on both the participants and the trainers. For many girls, it was their first experience of hiking and exploring nature, due to the socio-cultural limitations for women in society. They discovered their physical capabilities, learned about their region's history and gained a new perspective on their lives. The trainers emphasized the bonds formed during the sessions, where the traditional divide between teacher and student gave way to a space of shared stories and experiences. The girls' resilience and enthusiasm inspired the trainers to appreciate their own lives more deeply. This mutual exchange created an enriching environment, creating connections and a deeper understanding of each other's worlds.
Maria highlighted the impact the initiative had on her, stating, 'Making us capable of climbing the walls and, indirectly, teaching us how to face life's challenges, just as we are doing on the rocks'. Initiatives like Swat Girls in Action are important as they empower women by providing them with opportunities to explore their potential and connect with nature and their cultural heritage. These projects offer a window to look beyond their horizons and create a sense of freedom, equality and connection.
Related links
Swat Girls in Action! project