The Department of Development Studies, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Abbottabad campus, organized a one-week training workshop on “Women’s Participation in the Democratic Processes”. The workshop was funded by Shirkat Gah and supported by the Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation (OADF). More than 300 students and faculty of the CUI, Abbottabad Campus, and local organizations attended the training workshop. The workshop emphasized the importance of democracy, democratic processes, the importance of election in a democracy, and ensuring gender inclusiveness in the election process.

The opening ceremony of the workshop started with the address of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maroof Shah, Director of CUI Abbottabad Campus. He emphasizes engaging and training students in the economic, social, and political of the country. The Director asked the government institutions for better utilization of the human resources in the academic institutions. In their inaugural addresses, the Regional Election Commissioner Mr. Zulfiqar Ali, District Election Commissioner Mr. Zeeshan Khan, Director Shirkatgah Ms.  Humera Mumtaz Shiekh, and Dr. Arif Alam highlighted the role of youth and academic institutions in strengthening the democratic and nation building.

The three student representatives presented the importance of group work and training in their academic, grooming, and career development. During the closing day, the Chairperson of the Department of Development Studies, Prof. Dr. Bahadar Nawab Khattak, appreciated the hard work of the organizers, Shirkat gah, OADF, Election Commission office of Hazara Division and the CUI Abbottabad Campus administration for their financial, technical and administrative support. Ms. Rashida Dohad, Director of OADF, highlighted the active participation and motivation of the students in the workshop. In the end, shields were distributed among the best student groups and other participants of the workshop.