TFD Report
KARACHI: More than 100 girl students and their mothers came together at Behbud for an innovative breast cancer awareness and empowerment session conducted by Umeed by LADIESFUND, an initiative of Dawood Global Foundation. Moving beyond conventional health awareness presentations, the programme used interactive activities, personal experiences and specially scripted mother-daughter role plays to bring important breast cancer conversations directly into families and homes.
The session was organised at Behbud following its decision to engage Umeed by LADIESFUND to deliver a dedicated breast cancer awareness programme. With more than 1,000 women now reached through Umeed’s breast cancer awareness and empowerment training, the initiative continues to expand its community impact through partnerships with healthcare providers, educational institutions and organisations working with women and families.
Umeed conducts its breast cancer awareness and empowerment trainings across Pakistan in English, Urdu and Pashtu, helping make essential breast health information accessible to women across different linguistic and community settings.
The highlight of the Behbud session was an innovative pair of mother-daughter role plays in Urdu, designed and scripted by Umeed by LADIESFUND and performed by two student participants: Sawera Ejaz, who played the daughter, and Areeba Athar, who played the mother. In the first scenario, the daughter encouraged her mother to overcome hesitation and go for a mammogram. In the second, the mother told her daughter that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, demonstrating how families can approach an emotionally difficult conversation with honesty, compassion and support.
By having students enact these situations themselves, Umeed brought to life conversations that many families find difficult to initiate. The role plays demonstrated that breast cancer awareness is not just about recognising symptoms; it is also about creating an environment where daughters can speak to their mothers, mothers can confide in their children, and families can support one another through screening, diagnosis and treatment.
The programme featured Umeed by LADIESFUND Co-Chairs Sima Kamil and Fauzia Khuhro, who led an interactive question-and-answer session with participants. Sima opened the engagement with an interactive icebreaker, encouraging students and mothers to participate, connect and feel comfortable discussing breast health. Fauzia, a breast cancer survivor, shared practical guidance on breast self-examination, demonstrating how women can use the clock method to become familiar with their breasts and recognise changes that may warrant professional medical attention.
A particularly moving contribution came from Shafaq Zainuddin, a LADIESFUND #LFVIP member who recently completed a doctor-requested mammogram arranged and facilitated through Umeed. Speaking candidly about her own experience, she shared the apprehension, questions and emotional challenges she initially faced, as well as the reassurance of having Umeed guide and support her throughout the process. Her personal account helped bring the subject closer to home, reminding participants that breast health awareness involves real women, real emotions and the courage to take action.
Also present at the session were Dr. Nosheen Zaidi and Yasmin Kamal, Education Coordinator at Behbud.
Sima Kamil, Co-Chair of Umeed by LADIESFUND, who led the interactive ice-breaking session and participated in the Q&A panel, said, “The most important part of breast cancer awareness is making it possible for people to talk about it openly. I loved seeing the mothers and daughters participate together, because these conversations should not begin only when someone is unwell. They should become part of how families look after one another. When young girls feel comfortable talking to their mothers about mammograms and breast health, we are creating a much stronger culture of awareness that can continue across generations.”
Fauzia Khuhro, Co-Chair of Umeed by LADIESFUND and breast cancer survivor, who spoke from the heart about her personal journey, said, “I want women to understand that becoming familiar with their own bodies is an important part of looking after their health. Demonstrating the clock method is one way to help women approach breast self-awareness with greater confidence. Having gone through breast cancer myself, I know how important it is to have information, support and the courage to seek medical advice. I hope every woman takes this knowledge home and shares it with someone she loves.”
Shafaq Zainuddin, LADIESFUND #LFVIP member, said, “When I was advised by my doctor to have a mammogram, I experienced the emotions and apprehension that many women may feel when facing the prospect of screening. I felt very alone and immediately turned to Umeed by LADIESFUND who arranged and facilitated a mammogram for me and handheld me through this process. Going through the experience gave me a different
