(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By: Nazia Naz, Defender & International Researcher)
As a Human Rights Defender, I often ask myself a simple but powerful question:
How can one person bring change alone?
The truth is, no matter how passionately one works, real transformation demands a community of committed defenders -people who are willing to stand for justice, speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, and protect the vulnerable without fear. In today’s society, where violations continue to surface every day, we urgently need more defenders, more voices, and more individuals driven by dedication and compassion.
However, becoming a defender is not easy. Those who choose this path face multiple challenges -from social resistance and institutional hurdles to lack of financial support, limited training, and sometimes even threats. But despite these obstacles, the spirit to serve humanity must not break. Instead, we must have to build a system where defenders should be empowered, trained, and supported. With this belief, I initiated a training program to create a new generation of human rights defenders.
Every weekend, I train around 40 young people, educating them about rights, laws, advocacy, reporting, and community support. Over the past three years, I have successfully trained a considerable number of youth – all eager to bring change, challenge injustices, and raise voices for helpless communities. Their dedication gives me hope, yet their struggles reveal a painful truth. Many of these trained youth are highly passionate but face unemployment and a lack of opportunities.
The government provides very limited skill development aligned with market demands, resulting in talent going unused. These young defenders want to work, want to contribute, and want to make a difference -but without employment, opportunities, or recognition, their motivation can fade with time. This is why I strongly urge the government to take immediate initiatives to engage the youth in social development roles. Not only are jobs needed, but formal defender training programs, internships, project-based roles, and skill-based learning opportunities should be launched to prepare them as responsible defenders for the future. If we invest in our youth today, we invest in a more just and humane society tomorrow.
Pakistan needs defenders -but defenders also need support. Together, we can build a system where justice is not a privilege, but a right for all. The helpless are waiting for someone to stand for them – let us ensure that someone exists.
About the Author
