Thursday, 10th September 2026

The Riphah Women Club, in collaboration with the Women Wellbeing Program (WWP), Riphah International University, organized an Outdoor Interactive Leadership Session titled “Leading with Purpose: Building Women Leaders” at Dera Daari, Islamabad.

The session brought together values-based leadership learning, interactive reflection, wellbeing activities, and informal social engagement in an outdoor setting. It was designed to provide participants with an informal professional platform for interaction and networking while strengthening connections within the Riphah community.

Exploring Leadership Through Stories and Reflection

A central component of the session was an interactive discussion based on eight stories of different Sahabiyat, exploring their leadership and character qualities, as well as the beliefs and values underlying their actions.

The discussion encouraged participants to examine each story through several dimensions, including:

• Who is this Sahabia? — Understanding her life and context
• Core beliefs — Exploring the values and convictions behind her qualities
• Character traits — Identifying qualities reflected in her actions
• Key lessons — Drawing practical learning from each story
• Personal growth — Reflecting on traits that can contribute to personal development
• Reflection — Connecting the learning to participants' own lives

Through this approach, the session created space for participants to consider how purposeful and values-based leadership can be translated into everyday personal and professional life.

Leadership and Wellbeing in an Outdoor Setting

The session also incorporated practical wellbeing and relaxation activities designed to complement the leadership-focused learning. Participants engaged in progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, dynamic stretching, and mobility exercises.

These activities provided opportunities for participants to pause, reflect, and engage in practical techniques related to relaxation and wellbeing, reinforcing the connection between personal wellbeing and effective leadership.

The leadership session was facilitated by Ms. Esha Iqbal, Lead Trainer & Outdoor Educational Expert, Youth Impact, while Dr. Sumra Andleeb, Fitness Trainer & Senior Lecturer, DPT, facilitated the fitness and wellbeing activities.

Building Connections Within the Riphah Community

Beyond the structured learning activities, the event provided an opportunity for informal social interaction and collegial engagement. Participants enjoyed a lunch buffet, strengthened professional and social connections, and concluded the gathering with a group photograph.

Participant feedback reflected appreciation for the organization of the event, its thought-provoking discussions, learning opportunities, and the efforts of the organizers and facilitators.

The Outdoor Interactive Leadership Session reflects the Women Wellbeing Program's focus on creating opportunities that combine personal development, leadership learning, wellbeing, and community engagement. Through initiatives such as this, Riphah Women Club continues to provide platforms for women within the Riphah community to connect, reflect, learn, and develop leadership perspectives in an engaging environment.