At just 15 years old, Awesha Ali Mengal has already accomplished more than most people twice her age. But her story is not just one of academic success, it’s a journey of courage, perseverance, and resilience against societal constraints that so many girls in rural Balochistan, Pakistan face daily. Awesha’s story is one of struggle, but also of the boundless hope that keeps her fighting for a better future, not just for herself, but for all the girls in her community.
The Struggles of a Baloch Girl
Awesha hails from the small village of Dehzehri in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. Like many girls in rural areas of the region, Awesha’s journey toward education was not easy. Born into a conservative Brahui-Baloch tribal family, she was surrounded by deeply ingrained cultural and religious beliefs that restricted girls’ opportunities. In her community, education for girls was not seen as a necessity but as a privilege reserved for boys.
For years, Awesha’s attempts to go to school were rejected. “Girls don’t belong in school,” her parents told her. “They are meant to stay home, take care of the house, and eventually get married.” This mindset was not just a view held by her parents but was common throughout the community. Girls who went to school were often ridiculed and stigmatized by religious leaders and even other members of the community.
In many ways, Awesha was a victim of a larger system that robbed girls of their childhood, education, and future. Early marriages were common, and many girls, including Awesha’s own sisters and cousins, were married off between the ages of 13 and 14, resulting in a lifetime of hardship. Early marriage often led to teenage pregnancies, domestic violence, school dropout and numerous health complications for young girls. The harsh realities of forced marriage and early motherhood were becoming a familiar pattern in Awesha’s community, a fate she was determined to escape.
A Ray of Hope: Moving to Khuzdar
In 2018, Awesha’s life took a turning point when her family moved to the city of Khuzdar due to severe droughts and the destruction of their farmland. It was here, in this new environment, that Awesha first saw the possibility of a different life. She noticed girls in her neighborhood attending school, something that was once a distant dream for her. The sight of them going to school reignited her hope and determination.
However, her parents were still reluctant to send her and her younger sisters to school, citing financial constraints. It was then that Awesha’s brother stepped in. He was unable to complete his own education, and seeing his younger sisters’ eagerness to learn, he persuaded their father to send them to school. After months of pleading, Awesha was finally enrolled in school in 2018, a moment she describes as “exhilarating.”
It was a bittersweet victory, as Awesha and her sister had missed out on several years of schooling. The academic foundations were weak, but Awesha, supported by her brother, a Spain based organization “Mundo Cooperante” teachers, and classmates, worked tirelessly to catch up with her peers.
A Step Towards Global Recognition: Winning the Teens Dream 2022
In 2022, Awesha’s commitment to change took a significant leap when she won the Teens Dream Video Changemaker competition, organized by the Global Co Lab Network (USA). This recognition was awarded to Awesha for her innovative efforts to address climate change through grassroots initiatives. With financial support from the Global Co Lab Network, Awesha worked alongside a team of passionate young girls to focus on climate change education to promote sustainable practices like reducing plastic use, planting trees, stopping deforestation and encouraging clean energy alternatives. Her project not only brought her recognition but also showcased the power of youth-led action in combating global challenges. The Global Co Lab Network along with the project also supported Awesha’s schooling to continue her education.
Winning the Co Lab’s Teens Dream 2022 Video competition was a transformative moment for Awesha. It not only validated her belief in the power of young people to enact change but also opened up opportunities for her to continue her advocacy on a global stage. The success of her climate change initiative inspired her to think bigger, leading to the creation of a platform that could amplify the voices of youth across Balochistan. After winning Awesha joined the Co Lab’s multiple weekly global gatherings of teen changemakers in the SDG Hubs.
The Rise of Youth Empowerment and Action for Change (YEAC)
Despite her personal struggles, Awesha did not just want to focus on her education, she wanted to help other girls who faced the same barriers she once did. Inspired by her work with the SDG Hubs in early 2023, Awesha, along with a few friends, founded the Youth Empowerment and Action for Change (YEAC), a youth-led organization aimed at advocating for girls’ education and addressing a host of issues affecting girls and women in her community, such as early marriage, child abuse, sexual and gender-based violence, and climate change.
YEAC’s mission is not just about raising awareness; it’s about empowering girls and boys to take action for a better future. Through the organization, Awesha and her peers are striving to break the cycle of illiteracy, early marriages, and violence that so many girls in Balochistan experience. They are creating platforms for girls to share their voices, access education, and challenge the norms that restrict their opportunities.
In addition to advocating for girls’ education, YEAC focuses on several core areas:
- Child marriage prevention
- Gender equality and women’s rights
- Child protection and abuse prevention
- Environmental protection and climate change advocacy
- Peacebuilding and community tolerance
- Women and youth empowerment
Instead of lack of resources, the work of YEAC is making a profound impact on the lives of young people in the communities. The organization has conducted numerous awareness campaigns, sensitizing youth about their rights, and urging communities to challenge harmful practices. Through workshops and sessions, YEAC’s members have educated hundreds of young people about the importance of education, peacebuilding, environmental protection, the dangers of early marriage, and the rights of girls and women.
Achievements and Global Recognition
Despite the challenges they face in a region where girls’ education and gender equality are often not prioritized, Awesha’s organization has achieved significant milestones with the support of Global Co Lab Network and mobilizing resources locally.
- Climate Change Advocacy: In 2022, Awesha won a competition organized by the Global CoLab Network (USA) for her efforts to address climate change. Awesha and her team of young girls organized projects on climate change education, focusing on the importance of reducing plastic usage and promoting clean energy alternatives. YEAC has also won multiple global awards, including the Plastic Hub’s Global Plastic Pickup Competition in both 2023 and 2024 for their efforts in plastic waste management and environmental protection.
- International Recognition: Awesha work has not gone unnoticed on the global stage. She was named the Teens Dream 2022 Winner by the Global CoLab Network for her role in climate change advocacy. In 2024, Awesha also won the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, further cementing her status as an advocate for change.
YEAC’s Impact on the Ground
In the last two years, YEAC has carried out impactful community-based activities. Here are just a few of their initiatives:
- Youth Empowerment & Climate Change: Awesha’s team organized sessions for over 120 youth, sensitizing them about climate change and the importance of environmental protection. They focused on topics like tree plantation, waste management, and the harmful effects of plastic pollution. They planted 200 trees and organized several plastic cleanup campaigns to reduce environmental harm.
- Peace Building & Tolerance: YEAC held sessions with 100 youth from different religious backgrounds, teaching them about tolerance, peacebuilding, and the importance of human rights. They also emphasized the protection of religious minorities in the region, fostering respect and friendship among different communities.
- Women and Girls’ Rights: The organization has conducted multiple workshops on gender equality and women’s rights, reaching 150 youth. The sessions focused on raising awareness about sexual and gender-based violence, encouraging young people to respect women’s rights and support gender equality.
- Child Protection and Rights: YEAC has engaged over 200 children and their families in conversations about child protection, focusing on the importance of recognizing harmful behaviors like child abuse, ensuring children know their rights, and how to protect themselves from harm.
- Combating Child Marriage: Over 125 youth participated in sessions to educate them about the dangers of child marriage and the importance of girls’ education. YEAC also worked with boys in the community, encouraging them to advocate for girls’ rights and educate their families about the importance of keeping girls in school.
Looking Ahead: Awesha’s Vision for the Future
Awesha’s dream is clear: she wants to continue her education and become a catalyst for change in her community. She envisions a future where girls in Balochistan, and across Pakistan, are no longer held back by outdated beliefs and restrictions. She dreams of a world where every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue her dreams without fear of early marriage or violence.
Through YEAC, Awesha hopes to expand her work on a larger scale, empowering girls and young people throughout Balochistan to become agents of change. She is determined to continue advocating for girls’ education, child protection, and gender equality, all while working to address the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.
Awesha’s story is a testament to the resilience of young girls everywhere who fight for their dreams, no matter the obstacles. Her journey proves that even in the most challenging of circumstances, change is possible, especially when young people like Awesha take charge of their futures and use their voices to inspire others.
In the words of Awesha herself: “I want to show every girl in my community that their dreams are worth fighting for. No matter how hard the journey, no matter how many people tell you it’s impossible, never give up.” Support Awesha and other global teens by engaging with the Global Co Lab Network.
Website: http://www.yeacpk.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088153482912&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aweshamengale?igsh=bmVneWNla2wyZm45
Global Co Lab Network: contact at staff@globalcolab.net
