HEELA Institute for Research and Development is a civil society network of likely minded activists, professionals and students of Pakistan. The network include professionals, students, university faculty members, media activists and senior experts / analysts on social issues committed to produce research and introduce innovative interventions based on indigenous wisdom and social frameworks for human development.

Key thematic areas for HEELA are promoting gender equality and involving men for this purpose, providing education to the disadvantaged / marginalized groups of the society and prevention of violence and conflict to build a peaceful, just, diverse and a tolerant society.

Our key objectives include:

§  Produce and advocate for research and development interventions that are the requirement of the community and are based on local wisdom

§  Promote gender equality, women empowerment and peace through a special focus on addressing masculinities and engaging men and boys for this purpose

§  Build capacity of organizations, youth and women led networks on gender, education and violence prevention through provision of trainings, technical and institutional building support

§  Building communities’ resilience to violence through promoting education, art and culture.

The objectives clearly show that HEELA envision a peaceful and developed society according to the wishes and understanding of its people / local communities. HEELA believes that education, gender equality, promoting culture and arts are the means to achieve this goal.