Women in Green by Mahwash Rehman – Book Launch Ceremony Held at Lahore Heritage Museum

Supported by the Bilquis and Abdul Razak Dawood Foundation, Pakistan’s leading independent publisher, Markings Publishing, proudly launched ‘Women in Green, and Beyond’ by Mahwash Rehman at the Lahore Heritage Museum on the 09th of August 2016 in Lahore.

‘Women in Green, and Beyond’ pays homage to the extraordinary women’s cricket team of Pakistan by documenting the teams journey over a span of 6 years. What initially started as a thesis project by photographer Mahwash Rehman at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, translated into an entire photographic journey capturing the bravery, struggle, perseverance, pride, passion and diversity of these women cricketers, through her lens. Indeed Rehman sees the women cricketers as empowered role models who were not only courageous enough to live their dreams, but have also played a pivotal role in paving the way for the next generation of girls to step forward and choose non-traditional career paths breaking the stereotypes. She also believes the degree of a nation’s civilization is measured by the degree of enlightenment of its women. With the launch of this book, Rehman hopes to trigger a critical change in people’s perception of women’s capabilities – not only in the field of cricket, but across different sports and disciplines in Pakistan – and beyond.

The event was opened with an introduction on the evening by Tuba Arshad, Chief Operating Officer at Markings, where she invited on stage Chairman BARD Foundation Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood who spoke about the efforts of the BARD Foundation. This was followed by media addresses from Chairman PCB Shahryar Khan, author and photographer Mahwash Rehman, T20 captain Bismah Maroof and ODI Captain Sana Mir. The event was managed by RESTART Brand Activations with Public Relations by Lotus.

“Women in Green, and Beyond recognizes the ever growing self-belief and the strength of character of Pakistani women. It is an acknowledgment that Pakistani women can stand parallel to men in any field and celebrates women heroes who not only dared to break the stereotypes and live their own dreams but also empowered the next generation of girls to pursue their dreams and not settle for less. This book, which celebrates Pakistan women’s cricket team, is my humble contribution to the changing gender conversation in Pakistan. I hope it is able to bring the critical change in perception of women’s capabilities – not only in the field of cricket, but across different sports and disciplines in Pakistan – and beyond.” said photographer Mahwash Rehman.

On the launch of the book, Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood, Chairman BARD Foundation has said; “It gives me great pleasure to have the BARD Foundation support this great initiative of Women in Green & Beyond. Our support is a testament to all inspiring and passionate individuals who are aiming to fulfil their dreams and allowing us to be part of their transformative journey. The Foundation is a strong advocate of supporting talent in Pakistan and encouraging people to realize their potential.”

Pakistan’s Women’s Cricket Team Caption Sana Mir has said; “The book by Mahwash is first of its kind that celebrates and introduce women cricketers of Pakistan who represented Pakistan from 2010 till today to different audience. I wish her all the best and hope that through this book people will get to know the female cricket heroes and learn about their continuous struggle and achievements”.

Speaking about the publishing house’ first sports-based coffee table book, CEO Markings Publishing Kiran Aman has said; “At Markings, we pride ourselves on working on projects that are bold, empowering and original. #WomenInGreen encapsulates this sprit and we are delighted to publish the incredible photographic journey of Pakistan’s women’s cricket team through the lens of Mahwash Rehman.”

‘Women in Green, and Beyond’ features a foreword by two-time Academy Award winning film-maker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and a note by Chairman PCB, Shahryar Khan. All photography for #WomenInGreen is done by Mahwash Rehman with book layout and design by Amber Arshad at Markings and cricket team profiles written by Hadeel Obaid. Published by Markings, the limited edition coffee table book will be available at Liberty Books and online at www.kitabain.com for PKR 3,000 from 9th August 2016 and onwards.