PPSEAWA 2025 – APWA National Representation in Tokyo, Japan

1. Purpose of Participation

The primary purpose of attending the PPSEAWA Midterm Meeting in Tokyo Japan was to formally represent APWA National within the Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association (PPSEAWA), engage with senior leadership from member countries, and position Pakistan’s youth and women’s initiatives as credible, collaborative, and future-oriented.

This engagement also aimed to:

• Strengthen APWA Pakistan’s standing within PPSEAWA

• Establish direct relationships with country presidents and decision-makers

• Identify pathways for youth-focused regional collaboration

• Lay groundwork for future participation in global forums under the PPSEAWA umbrella.

2. Representation & Participation

Ms. Aniqa participated as a Youth Panelist, with fellow panelists representing PPSEAWA member countries including Japan, USA, and Taiwan. She was the only youth representative from Pakistan, presenting a national perspective grounded in on-ground work, institutional experience, and youth leadership.

In addition to panel participation, she actively engaged in:

• Leadership discussions with PPSEAWA country presidents

• Informal strategic conversations during networking sessions

• Institutional exchanges regarding future programs, documentation, and youth inclusion

3. Youth Panel Contribution

During the youth panel, her intervention focused on:

• Reframing narratives around women and youth in Pakistan

• Presenting Pakistan as a country of contrast where challenges exist but are actively being addressed through NGOs, awareness, education, and policy evolution

• Highlighting APWA’s role in education, healthcare, vocational training, and community-level empowerment

• Emphasizing the importance of moving beyond stereotypes to measurable action and structured collaboration

The response to this contribution was notably positive. Senior members acknowledged the clarity, balance, and credibility of the representation, particularly the emphasis on solutions rather than narratives of limitation.

4. Leadership Engagement & Institutional Response

Significant engagement took place with PPSEAWA Presidents and senior representatives, including those from:

• Australia

• Canada

• Fiji

• Hawaii (USA chapter)

• Japan

• Malaysia

• New Zealand

• Pakistan

• Samoa

• Taiwan

• Thailand

• Tonga

• United States of America

These discussions resulted in the following outcomes:

a. CSW Conference (March)

PPSEAWA leadership proposed the establishment of a PPSEAWA Youth Panel for the upcoming Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) conference. Ms. Adil was encouraged to be part of this panel, reflecting confidence in Pakistan’s youth representation and continuity of engagement.

b. PPSEAWA USA Documentary

The President of PPSEAWA USA expressed strong interest in APWA National ‘s work and requested a video feature to be included in an official PPSEAWA documentary. This video will highlight the APWA–PPSEAWA relationship and showcase Pakistan’s contribution within the regional network.

c. PPSEAWA Malaysia – 2026 Engagement

PPSEAWA Malaysia conveyed interest in inviting APWA Pakistan to their future national event and proposed my participation as a speaker in 2026, representing PPSEAWA Pakistan at an international platform.

5. Strategic Proposal Made During Engagement

During my address and discussions, I formally proposed that:

• PPSEAWA member countries collaborate more actively with PPSEAWA Pakistan

• Pakistan remains open to joint initiatives in youth development, vocational training, and skills-based empowerment

• Collaborative projects be designed with clear outcomes rather than symbolic participation

This proposal was well received and opened the door for structured follow-ups.

6. Value Addition to APWA National

This engagement resulted in the following strategic value for APWA National:

• Enhanced credibility at the presidential leadership level within PPSEAWA

• Recognition of Pakistan as an active contributor to regional women and youth initiatives

• Increased visibility for APWA’s programs in education, health, jail rehabilitation projects, breast cancer awareness, and vocational training

• Creation of direct pathways for international collaboration rather than indirect representation

7. Next Steps & Recommendations

To convert this engagement into long-term impact, the following actions are recommended:

1. Develop a formal APWA Youth Proposal focusing on vocational training, youth capacity building, and skills development.

2. Identify pilot programs that can be co-branded with PPSEAWA member countries.

3. Prepare media and documentation assets requested by PPSEAWA USA.

4. Initiate structured follow-ups with presidents of Japan, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Malaysia to convert rapport into partnerships.

8. Conclusion

The PPSEAWA Midterm Meeting in Japan was a strategically successful engagement for APWA Pakistan. It strengthened institutional positioning, opened doors for international collaboration, and established Pakistan’s youth leadership as credible and forward-looking. The focus now must shift toward execution, partnership formalization, and program development to fully realize the momentum generated.