Our Location
Canada
Canada
To improve the health and well-being of Pakistani women by providing access to healthcare services, promoting health education, and supporting physical, mental, and emotional wellness through community-driven programs.
A thriving community of empowered Pakistani women, where each woman has the opportunities, support, and resources to achieve holistic well-being, professional success, and a strong sense of identity, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse Canada.
We believe that informed and healthy women can transform their families and communities. We work to empower women with the knowledge and tools to take charge of their health.
We are committed to breaking down barriers to healthcare by providing services and resources to women, particularly in underserved areas.
Our work is driven by empathy and understanding, ensuring women receive care with dignity and respect, acknowledging the unique health challenges they face.
We foster strong partnerships within local communities, collaborating with women, healthcare providers, and leaders to create sustainable health initiatives.
We focus on lasting health solutions by building capacity within communities to ensure women can access care and resources for generations to come.
Welcome to Utthan, where our journey of empowerment began with a simple yet powerful idea: upliftment.
Derived from the Sanskrit word for “rise” or “elevation,” **Utthan** signifies progress, growth, and the power of positive change. For us, it represents the essence of what we seek to provide—an opportunity for women to rise above the challenges they face and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Our story began with a mother and daughter who, together, recognized a profound need in the community. As Pakistani-Canadian women, they saw firsthand the unique health and well-being challenges faced by women of their heritage—challenges often rooted in cultural expectations, language barriers, and limited access to health resources. With a deep sense of responsibility and compassion, they founded Utthan to create a supportive space where Pakistani women, both in Canada and abroad, could find the tools, education, and care they need to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
From the very start, Utthan has been about building bridges—between women and healthcare, between communities and resources, and between cultural roots and modern wellness. We believe that by offering culturally sensitive support, we can address the specific health concerns of Pakistani women, empowering them to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Utthan partners with healthcare providers, wellness professionals, and community leaders to deliver holistic programs that focus on prevention, education, and access to healthcare services.
Today, Utthan stands as a beacon of hope, upliftment, and empowerment for Pakistani women. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where women can rise, thrive, and take charge of their health and well-being.
Join us in this journey of empowerment. Together, we can rise.
Dr. Uddin is a family medicine resident at the University of Toronto, having completed her medical school at Western University. She earned an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto with a major in neuroscience and minors in computer science and psychology. Zara is passionate about advocating for marginalized communities and strives to make a positive impact in the lives of others. She founded Utthan to empower and support Pakistani women in leading healthy lives. Dr. Uddin is also a fierce mental health advocate, having been involved in various projects with the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. Additionally, Dr. Uddin enjoys mentoring others, learning languages, singing, playing badminton, and crocheting. A few of her favourite things are cats, chocolate, and memes.
Samina is passionate about helping those in need. She empowers impoverished young women in Pakistan by fundraising to pay for their postsecondary education tuition, something they would not have been able to afford otherwise. Samina joined Utthan to continue her work of elevating Pakistani women to achieve their full potential, and empowering them to lead their best lives.
