ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani digital rights advocate has received an international award for her work engaging youth in peacebuilding initiatives.

Sonal Dhanani, the founder of Parindey Wellbeing & Development Foundation, received the Individual Award for engaging youth in peacebuilding dialogues at a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland.

She received the award from the Geneva Centre for Human Rights and Dialogue, a Switzerland-based organization that promotes human rights education and dialogue initiatives globally.

"This award represents the incredible work of thousands of young Pakistanis who are using digital platforms to participate in civic life, share their communities' stories, and contribute to national conversations," Dhanani said.

Parindey works on digital rights and civic participation in Pakistan. It has reached more than 15,000 people through programs focused on digital literacy, civic engagement, and community storytelling.

The foundation's programs include Shehri Guftugu (Civic Dialogue Platform) and the Jaari Women Peacebuilders Fellowship, which has trained 40 women from 16 cities who have led 35 community initiatives.

Another initiative, the Guftugu Mental Health Fellowship, engaged more than 300 students across five campuses.

Sonal Dhanani posing with her award (Handout)

Parindey also operates Floating Voices, a climate memory project that documents community experiences with climate change.

Geneva Centre for Human Rights and Dialogue

Pakistani digital rights advocate wins Geneva human rights award