AAt just sixteen years old, Eshal Khan is already living a life of purpose. A tenth-grade student from Lahore, Pakistan, she balances the everyday rhythms of school and basketball—where she captains her team—with a passion for writing essays and a commitment to activism. What sets her apart is not only her ability to articulate the struggles faced by women in her country, but also her determination to address them head-on.
Growing up in one of Lahore’s urban enclaves, Eshal was always aware of the stark disparities in Pakistan. “Whenever I go outside of my city or outside of my area, I notice that it’s really different from where I live,” she explains. That awareness deepened when she heard the story of a woman who worked in her household—a woman trapped in an abusive marriage, abandoned by the law, and fearful for her daughter’s safety. “I was really affected by it personally,” Eshal recalls. “That’s when I started to really think about the situation of women in my country.”
From that moment, Eshal’s path turned toward advocacy. She began writing essays for Airtica, a women’s empowerment NGO, and now contributes to Ovan Kasahara (“Support for the People”), where she promotes their initiatives and pens thoughtful articles. In her words: “Students have a lot of power, especially Gen Z, through social media. People underestimate student voices, but we’re making a lot of difference—sometimes more than the government itself.”
Her activism is not confined to words. Recently, Eshal organized a fundraiser that brought in the equivalent of $700 USD, which she used to provide books and hygiene products to girls in rural schools. She has also hosted workshops to show women the value of education—something she sees as the cornerstone of change. “Education is the first step,” she says firmly. “It leads to knowing your rights and gaining economic empowerment.”
Eshal’s journey has not been without personal challenges. As a younger student, she endured bullying, leading to her move to another school. There, she discovered what true friendship could mean. “I realized that people aren’t so bad after all,” she reflects. “My friends have supported me through a lot. They’re the people I value the most, apart from my family.”
Among family, her mother stands as her greatest mentor. Raised with little, her mother dreamed of becoming a doctor but could not pursue that path due to financial barriers. Instead, she carved her own way forward, becoming a role model for resilience. “She’s a really strong woman,” Eshal says with quiet admiration. “She had to build her way up, and she’s taught me the lessons she’s learned throughout her life.”
Eshal is clear-eyed about the challenges Pakistan still faces. She speaks candidly about femicide and the dangers faced by transgender people in rural areas, noting how normalized violence against women is. Yet she also points to progress: “Now, in recent years, younger people are more aware. In urban areas, things are slowly changing.” She believes media—films, television, and social platforms—could shift cultural narratives by showing women beyond traditional domestic roles.
Her vision extends beyond women’s rights. Eshal is deeply concerned about climate change and animal welfare, causes she supports through NGO work and environmental advocacy. For her, even small changes matter: “I don’t mean completely switching to a vegan diet,” she explains. “But the little choices we make—like using a plastic bottle—impact the future. We need to be aware of them.”
When asked about her proudest accomplishment, Eshal doesn’t hesitate to return to the impact of her fundraiser and workshops. But she also sees hope in something broader: the energy of her generation. “The last generation normalized women being abused,” she says. “But now, more people are becoming liberal, and communities are more accepting. Youth can play a huge part in shifting things.”
For peers around the world, her advice is simple but powerful: “Be grateful for the opportunities you have, and make the most of them. A lot of people don’t have those chances. Even if the biggest problem you face is just school and homework, do your best—and make a difference in the world.”
With her mix of conviction, compassion, and courage, Eshal is already proving that change begins with the voices of students willing to speak—and act—for what they believe in.
Read her Category-Winning submission here.
