Muskan, Achieve

The Achieve programme has helped Muskan to find her voice, transforming her perceptions of herself and her capabilities.

Thirteen-year-old Muskan used to find public speaking frightening. But after four months of weekly skills-building sessions with the Achieve programme, Muskan has conquered her fears. ‘Before the Achieve programme, I struggled with public speaking anxiety,’ she explains. ‘Now, I confidently communicate my thoughts and ideas, and others see me as a confident speaker.’

Muskan was among the first 100 girls to take part in the Achieve programme in Pakistan. Launched in 2023, the programme is delivered through our partner Pakistan Alliance for Girls’ Education (PAGE), with financial support from Zindigi.

Our first Achieve programme aimed exclusively at girls and young women, the curriculum focuses on developing the core skills that girls will need to thrive, from communication and teamwork to digital literacy and entrepreneurship.

The power of speech

A cornerstone of the programme involves building girls’ capabilities and confidence around speaking in public, so they can ask or answer questions at school, put forward their ideas and join – or lead – discussions and activities.

As in most countries, girls in Pakistan are often less confident about speaking up and sharing their views than their male counterparts, especially in a group environment. But speaking is an essential skill for study, work and personal success – essential in classrooms, job interviews, workplaces and family relationships.

Achieve, delivered through school-based clubs, gives girls the chance to repeatedly practise their skills in small, supportive groups, gradually building both their competence and confidence.

‘The group activities were instrumental in helping me overcome my anxiety,’ Muskan explains. ‘Being surrounded by supportive peers and mentors gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone.’

Facing fears and embracing mistakes

But Muskan explains that, as well as giving her the chance to practise her skills, the programme also prompted her to shift her mindset. With a newfound awareness that mistakes are just a normal part of learning, not an irreparable disaster, she gained the courage to face and overcome her fears.

‘I learned that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting back up every time you do,’ Muskan explains. ‘This mindset shift helped me face my fears head-on and push past my limitations.’

This resilient ‘growth mindset’ will stand Muskan in good stead for years to come, and she now sees herself differently. ‘The Achieve programme not only improved my communication skills but also boosted my confidence and self-esteem, I now see myself as capable and empowered,’ she says.

100% are more confident

Muskan’s success is far from unique. When assessing their progress at the end of their programme, all the girls surveyed said that their confidence had improved. The next most common areas of improvement, both cited by 97% of girls, were in teamwork and managing feelings.

Muskan hopes that her success can be a beacon of hope and solidarity for those still struggling to manage their fears. ‘My journey from fear to confidence has been incredibly empowering, I now believe that I can make a difference with my voice,’ she explains. ‘I want other young people struggling with public speaking anxiety to know that they’re not alone.’

Following the success of the pilot programme, we are now working with PAGE to gradually scale up their Achieve delivery, doubling the number of participants this year alone.