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The purpose of this paper is to highlight the status (information services, infrastructure, budget, collection and staffing) of public girls’ high school libraries of the Lahore city. Lahore is the second largest and hub of educational institutions in Pakistan. Resource-based learning is the basic right of all citizens. School libraries support teaching and learning with best available information resources. In Pakistan, fewer studies have reported the status of school libraries, and keeping in view the significance of early education, the present study highlights the situation through a qualitative lens.

For an in-depth analysis of the situation, qualitative research approach was used. The data were collected through interviews and observation technique. Additionally, focus groups were conducted with the students of grade IX and X to find their school libraries’ perceptions.

The findings revealed that the overall status of school libraries was unsatisfactory. Libraries were facing many problems such as lack of staff, budget, place and poor infrastructure issues. It was also found that economic geographical location of schools was not the factor affecting the status of libraries; rather, the schools’ head was mainly responsible for the better condition of the libraries.

The study has implications for educationists, librarians, library schools and library professional organizations to make effective policies. However, the findings cannot be generalized and can be applicable in a similar context.

The study is based on MPhil thesis and is significant to be added in global school librarianship literature.

The purpose of this paper is to illuminate enablers, barriers and vignettes of South Asian women leaders and possible paths to increase the influence and leadership of women in South Asia.

Navratna, the nine precious gems of ancient Indian literature are used to frame reflections on South Asian women leaders, and the Global Gender Gap Report of 2015 is used to give context to five barriers and five enablers to women’s leadership in the region. Illustrative vignettes of South Asian women in leadership roles are presented. These vignettes have been selected based on a case study approach of South Asian women leaders.

Five enablers that may help empower women towards greater leadership and influence are proposed: involving men in what should change, greater economic participation by women, supportive family, country- and context-specific leadership training, and finally grassroots advocacy, mentoring and role models.

The paper shines new light on women leaders whose sparking excellence in their specific field illuminate paths for others to follow and thus contributes to promoting research on multifaceted women leaders in South-Asia.