On a peaceful morning in the village of Feroze Wattwan, Pakistan, a small group of women gathers around clacking looms. Their hands move skillfully over the colorful threads. Their children play nearby, close enough for the women to hear their laughter drifting through the air. While this scene of carpet weavers might seem far removed from the University of Richmond, for sophomore Minahil Mobeen, it is the culmination of a vision she brought to life from over 7,000 miles away.

Mobeen, a sophomore business economics major at UR, dedicated much of her high school years to supporting women in rural, marginalized communities. 

“My earliest projects focused more on agricultural communities and sustainability-focused technology within those systems," Mobeen said. "Specifically, helping women leverage technology and resources to strengthen their financial independence and equip them so that they emerged as leaders in their communities.”

When Mobeen arrived at the University, she learned about the Davis Projects for Peace, which grants student leaders $10,000 to carry out grassroots projects that promote peace. As a first-year student, she applied and was awarded the funding.

“Minahil’s project took a really multifaceted approach towards improving the lives of women weavers in Pakistan,” said Ethan Knight, associate director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships. “Our committee was impressed by the level of detail and the careful thought Minahil put into her project.”

Weaving together plans for change

Mobeen learned a lot about Pakistan's weaving industry, especially about the exploitation faced by many of the 1.2 million home-based women weavers, who worked long hours for little pay and endured other harsh conditions.

Mobeen had a clear vision for her project before she applied for the grant. She had been collaborating with the Democratic Commission for Human Development to find ways for weavers to earn fair wages and be empowered in their communities. Her Women Weave Change project would serve as a model for outreach in other regions.  With the Davis grant, Mobeen was able to establish a centralized weaving center with upgraded equipment, set up on-site childcare for workers, and provide women with financial literacy workshops.

“I was beyond ecstatic when I heard I had received the grant because I could finally turn my vision into action,” said Mobeen. “It was almost unbelievable that I had the resources to turn such an ambitious plan into reality for myself and the women I was working with.” 

Mobeen also faced the added challenge of managing this project entirely from Richmond, coordinating monthly updates and working with local partners — all while juggling classes as she completed her first year of college.

Believing in the ability to empower

Mobeen reported that the women enrolled in the project are thriving, and she and DCHD are already planning how to replicate this in other communities. She still meets with her local partners monthly, adjusting the program as she identifies areas that can be improved.

The results speak for themselves. “Production has nearly doubled due to the women working in the weaving center as compared to their home-based production levels,” said Mobeen. “We are also seeing the women become more involved in financial decisions in their communities and households.”

Before the project, one mother of three struggled to make carpets at home, and her physical and mental health suffered. As a participant in Women Weave Change, she finally had a dedicated space to work and educational support for her children. She was paid a fair wage and was thriving in her new workspace.

“I think her story really demonstrates that the project's impact goes beyond just economic empowerment, even though most of our funds and efforts were directed there. It has truly transformed these women's lifestyles and sparked an important discussion about their workloads and how to ensure they are fairly compensated and supported in their roles,” said Mobeen.

As Mobeen works to expand her vision, her journey underscores the powerful impact one determined person can make, even from thousands of miles away.