About the project
THE CZECH AND PAKISTANI HEROINES is a co-operative project initiated by the Czech Embassy in Islamabad, in which a Czech university and the National College of Arts participated, supported by Bata Pakistan Ltd. Its aim is to highlight the contribution of women to their societies, to provide role models, and support women empowerment.
THE INCEPTION: In 2020, students of Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art at the University of West Bohemia, under the tutelage of Ms Renáta Fučíková, created a set of 50 posters of outstanding Czech women of all times. The idea that a similar series of portraits to highlight prominent Pakistani women be made was accepted and developed by the National College of Arts in Lahore, and the collection of Pakistani Heroines has been completed in 2022.
THE OUTCOME: On the occasion of the 75th Pakistan Independence Day, The Czech and Pakistani Heroines exhibition, comprising of the two sets of posters, was held at the NCA Gallery in Lahore in August 2022. Portraits of 50+50 great women from both countries with their short biographies were then edited into a book, published with the support of Bata Pakistan Ltd., launched at NCA Islamabad in December 2022.
THE FUTURE: The Heroines are presented on this web in English and Urdu and one woman of Pakistan will be added each year to the collection and receive the Heroine Award for her outstanding performance in culture, economy, public life, sports or any other area.
Nominate a Heroine
The collection of Pakistani Heroines represents a limited selection of personalities whose contribution to arts, culture, economy, education, healthcare, journalism, politics, rule of law, science, social services, sports and other domains is known and appreciated. Every day, millions of other Pakistani women do what they consider necessary, useful, fulfilling – for themselves, their families, their communities, their country or, maybe, the world.
The partners of the “Heroines” project would like to acknowledge, once a year, a woman of Pakistan for her particular work or achievement, her inspiring stance or her long-term endeavour that can serve as an example to others.
The yearly “Pakistani Heroine” will be added to the gallery featured here and receive an award sponsored by Bata Pakistan Ltd. Nominations of women deserving such acknowledgement are collected from the public through this web.
The nominations for the 2023 Heroine Award were closed on 30 June 2023. All submissions were received with thanks and appreciation, duly registered, and presented to the jury appointed by the partners of the project. The “2023 Heroine” will be selected and announced during the second half of the year.
Nominations for 2024 Heroine Award will be open in January 2024.