Zohra Ahmed, social entrepreneur and advocate for women’s rights in Pakistan, joined us for a critical conversation on supporting survivors of domestic violence. As the founder of The Jugnu Project—a digital resource platform dedicated to aiding survivors—Zohra brought a wealth of practitioner knowledge to the session, offering invaluable insights from her extensive experience working with survivors.

Zohra began by unpacking the different forms of domestic violence and abuse, dedicating much of the discussion to lessons learned from real cases. She encouraged the audience to reflect on their biases and challenged us to recognize that survivors could be anyone in our lives—friends, family, or colleagues. A recurring theme in her talk was the importance of patience and non-judgmental support when working with survivors. She emphasized the need to hold space for them without imposing our timelines or expectations and explained how judgment or unsolicited advice can amplify feelings of shame and alienation.

The session also equipped attendees with practical tools, such as methods for documenting evidence and creating escape plans safely. While the discussion was heavy and sobering, it left the audience with a deeper understanding of how empathetic care and creating safe spaces can significantly impact survivors during crises.

Through this session, Zohra reminded us of the profound power of kindness, patience, and informed action in supporting those navigating the challenges of domestic violence.