023 was a fine year for the young literati of Peshawar.

Throughout the year, the city was alive with dynamic events featuring the works of poets, writers, researchers and human rights activists.

Women’s literature thrived as authors stepped up to play their role in building a just and peace-loving society. Woman writers, including Dr Roshan Kalim, Naz Parwar, Samina Qadir, Zeba Afridi, Sajida Maqbool Tanha, Nargis Ada and Sanam Rasool brought out their vanity publications.

People from all walks of life participated in literary activities and took charge of the discourse surrounding various social issues. Credit is also due to the Dosti Welfare Organisation for hosting the first-ever Women Literature Festival in Peshawar. The event brought together women from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Khwinday Adabi Lakhar, an active women’s literary organisation remained engaged in activities like book launches, study circles, references, seminars and webinars. The organisation also produced articles, research, features and poetic pieces in local newspapers and journals highlighting women’s issues.

KHAL, which was launched only a few years ago under the guidance of author Kalsoomzeb, brought out titles on prose, fiction, poetry, research and literary criticism both in Pashto and Urdu. The organisation saw its membership swell in the outgoing year.

KHAL also published three editions of its tri-monthly Pashto magazine titled Durdani (The pearls), featuring almost all literary genres.

The organisation also rolled out seven books, including a comprehensive research treatise on the life and work of Professor Dr Salma Shaheen, a former director of Pashto Academy.

Dr Saba Khan’s Pashto poetry volume Juand Da Azghu Pa Suko [Life on the Tips of Thorns] and Gul Arbab’s travelogue Tetli Tarial Te Tar were a breath of fresh air for readers.

Keeping these literary developments in mind, it is clear that female writers from the province are gaining the confidence to express their views on life, social issues, emotions and, above all, the trials and tribulations they face when they break away from the shackles of traditions and stereotypes.

In addition to that, women from the province are increasingly taking to social media to raise their voices on various issues that affect them. The young literati also join these online platforms to hear from women writers.

“The times are changing,” says senior Urdu writer Bushra Farrukh who also heads Karwan-i-Hawa, another women-run literary forum, “Gone are the days when women were excluded from cultural and literary activities. Now they’re ever more present.”

Kalsoomzeb represented KP women in a national symposium. She was also made a member of the governors of the Pakistan Academy of Letters. She published a collection of stories for children in Pashto, a translation in Pashto of Urdu novels and a collection of Urdu short stories.

She told The News on Sunday that her organisation encouraged budding woman writers from across the province to come up with innovative ways of expression. “I am proud to have brought out 14 books on a variety of topics,” she said.

“The times are changing,” said senior Urdu writer Bushra Farrukh who also heads Karwan-i-Hawa, another women-run literary forum, “Gone are the days when women were excluded from cultural and literary activities. Now they’re ever present,” said Bushra who organized several literary events and activities in Peshawar.

Launched eight years ago, Karwan-i-Hawa has drawn over 700 members from the KP, including women from fields other than literature. The forum has produced quality literature in Urdu and Hindko, contributing to the cause of women‘s rights at both provincial and national levels.

“Unfortunately, little coverage is given to women’s activities in the mainstream media. Fortunately, the women here are bold enough to step out and follow their passions. In 2023, women expressed their opinions on various platforms,” said Farrukh.

The forum also published its 2^nd annual edition of Karwan-i- Hawa, a literary magazine carrying a comprehensive report on numerous literary events conducted under its aegis during the year 2023. The organisation has launched more than 50 books since its inception and has been instrumental in encouraging women writers to contribute in different languages including Hindko, Pashto, Urdu and Persian.

Farrukh said she welcomed the participation of women in seminars, poetry recitals and workshops. “The objective is to raise awareness among women on education and to ensure their participation in social and literary activities. We request the provincial government to purchase books and research work done by woman writers at least for girls‘ colleges and universities,” she said.

The writer is a  Peshawar-based journalist. He mostly writes on art, culture, education, youth and minorities. He tweets @Shinwar-9