Saima Aslam transformed her hardships into a platform for nationwide change. She was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in Rawalpindi and experienced firsthand the barriers and lack of opportunities, people with disabilities face. After gaining mobility through the use of a wheelchair, she began actively advocating for disability inclusivity in public spaces. Since 2009, Saima has served as Founder, Executive Member, and International Coordinator of the NFWWD, working to ensure the equal inclusion of women with disabilities in all aspects of development. In her role, she has shaped strategies for empowerment and advocacy campaigns across Pakistan. Here, Saima she has also led capacity-building programs, independent living trainings, and peer counseling sessions. She has represented the organization at major global events, including the Henry Viscardi Awards in New York, disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction training, and feminist leadership forums across Asia. Beyond that, through her training and encouragement, Saima has helped numerous women confidently return to everyday life after disability. She has also spearheaded wheelchair distribution drives, conducted accessibility inspections, and delivered polio awareness talks. Currently, Saima is working on a UNFPA-supported project on gender-based violence against women with disabilities.

key achievements

• Henry Viscardi Global Achievement Award 2016 Saima was the first Pakistani woman with a disability recognized globally for her leadership in disability inclusion under NFWWD’s network
• Gold Medal 2009, Awarded by the Government of Pakistan
• Khateeja Tul Kubra Award 2018, Women Parliamentary Caucus & Human Rights Ministry
• US-Pakistan Disability Leadership Professional Exchange Program

Area of focus

• Disability rights advocacy and policy
  reform
• Women with disabilities’
  empowerment
• Gender-based violence prevention
  for women with disabilities