TSSHer is proud to presennt this remarkable feat. In a powerful display of global collaboration and shared purpose, Nigerian storyteller and media entrepreneur Adebola Williams and Pakistani lawyer and former parliamentarian Maleeka Bokhari debuted their groundbreaking project, Pakistani Power Girls, during the Young Global Leaders (YGL) Summit in Singapore. This project, inspired by Williams’ African Power Girls series, celebrates trailblazing Pakistani women who have shattered barriers across fields such as law, governance, and social justice.
A Cross-Continental Vision
The collaboration between Williams and Bokhari stems from a shared passion for empowering young girls through storytelling. Introduced to African Power Girls at the World Economic Forum Summit in 2021, Bokhari saw the potential to replicate its success for young girls in Pakistan. The Pakistani Power Girls book is a tribute to the resilience, strength, and achievements of Pakistani women, aiming to inspire the next generation to dream bigger and break barriers.
Adebola Williams, reflecting on his motivation for the project, shared, “I had first encountered the strength of Pakistani women from reading Daughter of the East almost two decades ago, and it inspired me deeply.” Williams, known for his impactful storytelling and advocacy for gender equality, saw this as an opportunity to expand his vision beyond Africa, highlighting the power of women’s leadership globally.
Empowering Pakistani Girls
Bokhari, quoting Pakistan’s founding leader, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, remarked, “Jinnah famously said, ‘No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you.’ Pakistani Power Girls is a tribute to the women of Pakistan, who constitute half of our 240 million-strong population and have demonstrated immense strength and resilience.”
As a prominent advocate for women’s rights in Pakistan, Bokhari’s commitment to gender equality is well-established. From spearheading groundbreaking anti-rape legislation during her tenure as Pakistan’s Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice to her current role as a barrister at Kilam Law, her career is a testament to the transformative power of female leadership.
The Legacy of African Power Girls
Adebola Williams’ African Power Girls series has already made waves across the continent, celebrating the achievements of African female leaders while distributing copies through partnerships with organizations such as Unilever, Platform Capital, and Access Bank. The accompanying African Power Girls Fund further supports young women by providing grants to bridge financial gaps in education and leadership.
Williams’ efforts align seamlessly with his broader advocacy roles, including as a United Nations Generation Unlimited Global Champion and Global Patron of Malaria No More UK. His work consistently centers on empowering women through financial inclusion, education, and leadership opportunities, particularly in technology and governance.
Why It Matters
The launch of Pakistani Power Girls marks more than just a book debut—it’s a cultural moment that transcends continents. By sharing the stories of Pakistani women who have defied odds and rewritten narratives, Williams and Bokhari hope to inspire young girls across Pakistan to envision futures without limitations.
With this initiative, Williams continues to expand his legacy of using storytelling to drive social change, while Bokhari demonstrates her unwavering commitment to uplifting the voices and rights of Pakistani women. Together, they are crafting a blueprint for global empowerment, one story at a time.
What’s next for this dynamic collaboration? With the debut of Pakistani Power Girls, the duo has set the stage for a global movement, where young girls everywhere are inspired to step into their power and create lasting impact.