Rubina, a 30-year-old resident of the picturesque Bagrot Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, has been a beacon of hope and inspiration for her community. With her passion for embroidery and a heart full of determination, she has been teaching young girls and women sewing and embroidery skills for the past nine years.
Despite limited resources, Rubina rents a small room for Rs. 2,000 a month to conduct her classes. She also sews bed sheets, children’s uniforms, pants, sweaters, and men’s shirts to support herself. Her dedication goes beyond earning an income—she has been providing free training to women who cannot afford the fees. Many of these women now contribute to their household incomes through the skills they learned from Rubina.
Rubina’s commitment and expertise earned her a position as a trainer for the Snow Leopard Foundation’s sewing and embroidery center in Bagrot. Through this initiative, 30 local women and girls are undergoing a six-month training program, equipping them with skills to earn a dignified livelihood. Women from diverse backgrounds were carefully selected through interviews to ensure fair representation.
Rubina expressed her happiness, saying, “This project is close to my heart because it allows me to continue my work on a larger scale. I want to help these women become independent and confident in their abilities.” Bagrot Valley is well-known for its wildlife and natural beauty. Rubina sees this initiative as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of conserving the region’s biodiversity. During her training sessions, she shares messages about protecting wildlife and forests, ensuring her trainees understand the value of their natural heritage.
Rubina also highlighted the positive changes in her community. “Thanks to efforts by organizations like the Snow Leopard Foundation, people have started valuing wildlife. Those who once hunted animals are now protecting them,” she said.
Through her work, Rubina is helping women secure a better future while contributing to the preservation of Bagrot’s unique environment. The sewing and embroidery center is a step towards sustainable development, blending skill-building with conservation awareness. Rubina’s dedication is a source of pride for her community, and her efforts are making a lasting impact on the lives of women in Bagrot.
Key Achievements:
- Training 30 women and girls in sewing and embroidery.
- Providing skills that enable women to earn and support their families.
- Promoting wildlife and forest conservation awareness in the community.
Rubina’s work shows how empowering women with skills and knowledge can create real change. Her leadership in the Snow Leopard Foundation’s project is bringing hope and making a positive difference in Bagrot Valley.
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Written by: Mamtaz Gohar, Communication Coordinator of our partner organization SLF-Pakistan
Photo credits: SLF-Pakistan Team
Acknowledgments: The Darwin Initiative supports the project “Community-based Conservation of Snow Leopards and its Habitat in Pakistan.” It addresses human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and poaching through innovative conservation models. These include livestock vaccination, predator-proof corrals, insurance schemes, women-led handicraft enterprises, and youth education. By integrating gender-aware conservation with livelihood programs, the project safeguards snow leopards, their prey, and their habitats while empowering local communities.