Sonal Dhanani Honoured with Global Award
GRÓ GEST alumna Sonal Dhanani (Pakistan, 2022) has been recognised at the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, as one of ten global finalists for the inaugural Pankaj Award to End Conflict.
Presented on 4 November, the award was established by Regent Global in partnership with One Young World, with a total funding commitment of USD 250,000. It recognises young leaders addressing the root causes of conflict, preventing violence, protecting marginalised communities and building sustainable peace. All ten finalists receive financial support for their initiatives.
Sonal is the founder and CEO of Parindey Wellbeing and Development Foundation, a Pakistan-based organisation working at the intersection of peacebuilding, gender equality, mental health and social justice. Drawing on her personal experience of losing a loved one to violence, she has dedicated her work to transformative justice and creating spaces where communities can heal and reclaim their agency.
Through Parindey, Sonal has developed initiatives that combine trauma-informed approaches with community dialogue, creative expression and women's leadership. Among these is the Jaari Women Peacebuilders Fellowship, which has trained 40 women from 16 Pakistani cities to lead community peace initiatives. Another initiative, Shehri Guftugu, has engaged more than 2,000 young people in discussions on civic participation and democratic governance.
The recognition in Cape Town adds to a growing list of international distinctions. In December 2025, Sonal received the Individual Award for Defending Freedom of Expression Online at the Human Rights Recognition Awards in Geneva, recognising her work to strengthen digital safety and civic participation among women, young people and marginalised communities. She was also included in the 2025 Kindness & Leadership: 50 Leading Lights Asia Pacific list.
More recently, in October 2026, Sonal was selected as one of three recipients of the Asia Foundation's prestigious William P. Fuller Fellowship in Peacebuilding.
Sonal's connection with GRÓ GEST has extended well beyond her graduation in 2022. In 2023, she received a EUR 9,700 grant from the GRÓ GEST March 8 Fund for the Women's Digital Financial Inclusion Advocacy Hub. Implemented through Parindey in Sindh province, the project provided financial and digital literacy training to 60 women, strengthening their access to economic opportunities and financial independence.
Reflecting on her latest recognition, Sonal described how she and her colleagues at Parindey have worked to turn personal grief into collective action, empowering women, young people and marginalised communities to shape their own futures.
GRÓ GEST warmly congratulates Sonal on this latest achievement and her continued contributions to peacebuilding, gender equality and human rights.