From Silence to Silence: Mahnoor's Story
Mahnoor stands confidently in front of her college classmates and delivers her presentation. At 20 years old, she is pursuing her dream of becoming a gynecologist and earning her own income to support her education.
Her journey to the front of the classroom hasn’t been an easy one. Mahnoor grew up in a lower-income family in Hyderabad. Her father passed away when she was very young, leaving her and her mother dependent on male family members who were reluctant to support them. Mahnoor faced heavy pressure to be silent, and to hide her dreams. Without adequate financial and emotional support, she grew up feeling fearful and anxious.
In 2015, Mahnoor met Coach Shamim in a Right To Play program. Shamim saw Mahnoor’s potential, not just the barriers she faced. Soon, Mahnoor was seeing herself like Shamim saw her. Ten years later, she reflects how that transformative relationship brought her close to achieving her dream.
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
Mahnoor is determined to become a doctor, a dream she shares with her mother. She’s midway through her science degree and plans to go to medical school after she graduates to become a gynecologist.
For a long time, that dream seemed out of reach. Many girls in Pakistan are forced to drop out of school when they’re young because their families can’t afford school fees or don’t support girls’ education, instead expecting girls to stay within the home. The Malala Fund estimates that 12 million girls are out of school in Pakistan, and only 13% of girls advance to Grade 9.
“I wasn't allowed to say anything because I was small. Because I was a girl, I wasn't allowed outside," she remembers.
The financial struggles she and her mother faced after her father’s death made things worse. Mahnoor and her mother often had to go without basic necessities and faced constant uncertainty about their future. The emotional strain of feeling unsupported and isolated made it difficult for Mahnoor to focus on her studies and growth.
“I wasn't allowed to say anything because I was small. Because I was a girl, I wasn't allowed outside.” – Mahnoor
"We had no financial support from anyone. No one took a stand for me. I realized that I had to face everything on my own,” she says.
When Shamim, a trained coach from Right To Play’s What Works 1 program, arrived at her school, things started to change. Funded by UK International Development, the What Works 1 program ran from 2015 to 2018 and reduced gender discrimination and bullying by training teachers and volunteer coaches to create inclusive learning environments and break down gender barriers through play.
The program was implemented in 40 schools across Hyderabad. By the end of the program, a randomized control trial revealed significant progress: peer bullying among boys dropped by 33%, while among girls, the reduction was even more striking at 59%. The program also made a strong impact on reducing corporal punishment in schools—children's experiences of physical discipline reduced by 45% for boys and by 66% for girls.
A NEW CHAPTER
Mahnoor was in the seventh grade when she met Shamim, who noticed she was very quiet and didn't respond to questions in class or take part in activities. “Mahnoor lacked confidence, so I started giving her small responsibilities to build her confidence, so she could push herself forward,” remembers Shamim.
Mahnoor loved the activities that Coach Shamim used in the classroom. They showed her ways to express her emotions. She felt strong and confident in how she communicated. One game she loved was Anger and Fear, which taught students how to control their anger and fear and protect themselves from violence.
"I lacked confidence because of the pressure from home. Coach Shamim did a lot of activities with us through the Right To Play program, and that's where I got my confidence,” she says.
Mahnoor used those skills during a frightening incident on her way home from school one day. A group of men had gathered near the school to try to kidnap female students. Thanks to the skills she learned in Anger and Fear, she was able to stay calm, assess the situation, and use the self-defense techniques she had practiced to escape the terrifying situation and run home.
“When children, particularly girls, feel safe they are more likely to feel confident.” – Coach Shamim
“I believe these skills of protection were learned while participating in Right To Play games,” Mahnoor’s mother said in a video testimonial filmed after the incident.
Mahnoor was shaken by the experience, but she was determined not to let her fear keep her from going to school. With the support of her mother, Coach Shamim, and her peers, she went back. After a few months, she became a Junior Leader and started helping Coach Shamim to lead play and leadership activities with younger female students. She also talked openly with them about her own experience of overcoming her fears.
MAHNOOR TODAY
Looking ahead, Mahnoor is determined to continue her education and achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. She has completed her intermediate studies and is working on her Bachelor’s of Science before going on to medical school.
She’s driven by her desire to make a positive impact on her community and provide much-needed healthcare services, especially to girls and women.
“I was able to face people and today I am taking a stand to make my dreams come true,” she says. “I make my own decisions for my studies and I can support myself.”
Mahnoor believes that with the right support and opportunities, girls can progress in every field and achieve their dreams. “I would like to tell girls to develop confidence in themselves and to face people. They don’t need to feel pressured. They can progress in every field in life.”