Sonal Dhanani is an award-winning women peace builder, mental health advocate, creative professional, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, and trauma-informed facilitator keen on promoting education, mental health initiatives and social action in Pakistan. Sonal was a member of Pakistan’s first National youth Council by Prime Minister Imran Khan. In 2015, after losing a loved one in a terrorist attack a community; Sonal realized the need of mental health recreational wellbeing in Pakistan and started an initiative called Parindey which focuses on countering and preventing violent extremism in Pakistan through artistic approach of introducing mental health and peacebuilding programs. Through this organization, Sonal is participating in the mainstream process of peace at the people-to-people level.

Sonal’s purpose of work and aim for peaceful Pakistan is to break down the stigma that surrounds speaking out about mental health issues and her work aims to make a significant difference in the world, changing perceptions about mental wellbeing. Sonal was the first one to introduce and take art and music therapy to vulnerable communities with the focus of providing a platform for youth to channelize their emotions in a positive way and counter-violence in society.  She has participated in organizing literary seminars and events celebrating the work of artists and writers in promoting peace and harmony by harnessing the positive energies of expressive arts. She sees art as a uniting force between people irrespective of race, religion, caste, color, gender, ethnicity, or language.

Participant in: August 2023 Fellowship: The Arts as a Tool for Peacebuilding