In the heart of South Punjab, Pakistan, where opportunities are often out of reach for girls, Nabila Abbas broke through the barriers of tradition, poverty, and gender inequality to become a global voice for marginalized youth. Born and raised in the rural village of Choti Zerin, Dera Ghazi Khan, Nabila’s journey is a powerful narrative of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to education and human rights.
Nabila’s story is not just her own—it is the story of countless girls who are denied their right to dream. As the first girl in her community to pursue higher education, she earned a degree in Aviation Management from the University of Management and Technology, Lahore. Defying norms, she launched the “Aviation Literary Forum” during her undergraduate years, which was internationally recognized by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in Washington, D.C.
Her advocacy work began at the grassroots level and quickly garnered national attention. In 2021, she was elected to the Prime Minister’s National Youth Council, where she contributed to national policy-making aimed at mainstreaming marginalized communities. Through her youth-led platform Rural Development Initiatives (RDI), Nabila implemented free capacity-building programs that have trained over 100 rural girls in digital literacy, soft skills, and leadership.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched education and hygiene campaigns in remote areas, ensuring continued learning and well-being. She also created safe spaces and innovation labs to promote remote work and digital inclusion in underserved regions.
Today, as Vice Principal at Tahir Model High School, Nabila mentors the next generation of students, especially girls, blending her educational leadership with field-based activism. Her advocacy has taken her to global platforms including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda, the Youth Ministerial Meeting in London, and the St. Petersburg Economic Forum in Russia, where she shaped global youth policy dialogues.
Her work has earned her numerous prestigious awards: The Diana Award 2020, NBAA Top 40 Under 40, International Young Leading Award, Outstanding Alumna by UMT, C-Level Executive Award, and recognition as one of the 50 Leading Lights in Asia-Pacific for kindness and leadership. She’s also been featured as a Spotlight Activist by Service Learning Projects (USA) and honored with The Belle’s Letters Award for inspirational youth leadership.
Nabila is actively involved with the International Congress of Youth Voices, UN Women Asia’s 30 for 2030 Program, Commonwealth Youth Forum, and is a lifelong member of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network. She has represented Pakistan in Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Malaysia, Russia, Nepal, the UK, and the US, making her a true global changemaker with deep local roots.
Nabila Abbas’s journey—from a flood-hit rural girl to a global youth leader—is a testament to the power of education, persistence, and the belief that no girl is too small to dream big. She continues to uplift others so that no voice from the margins is left unheard. 
