Tazeen Akhtar with Camera Raja Ghulam Fareed + Ramzan Moghal
Women are more than half of the total population of Pakistan. They can contribute a lot in the national economy if supported and facilitated by their men and government to start their small and medium businesses.
The policy makers are supposed to pave the way for inclusion of this half population in the mainstream to overcome the economic crisis and alleviate poverty. The society needs to break the barriers to fully open the doors of development on women so that they can prove themselves equal to the task.
This message was conveyed by the women leaders hailing from different walks of life at International Women Day celebration hosted by Women’s Entrepreneurs Committee of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Center for Pakistan and International Relations COPAIR to launch 1 Million Women Empowerment Initiative.
The event was conducted by Convener of the Committee Ms Naina Nasira Ali and Chairperson Center for Pakistan and International Relations Ms Amna Munawwar Awan jointly. A large number of women participated and shared their views on the under discussion topic ” Empower Women Empower Pakistan.”
Atif Ikram Shiekh President FPCCI graced the event with his presence and assured the women of his cooperation in starting or supporting their businesses and entrepreneurship.
He said, ” Women are second to none and they are playing their constructive role in all sectors , from household to defense of motherland. The doors of FPCCI are open for them.”
Other office bearers of FPCCI, Chairman Capital Office Kareem Aziz Malik and Malik Sohail Hussain also shared their views. They appreciated the resolve and capabilities of women and said, women always perform better than the men.
The women leaders present included Afshan Tehseen Bajwa former Chairperson National Commission on Rights of Child, Shamim Aftab Chairperson Sargodha CCI, Hina Mansab from SAARC Women CCI, Saima Amjad, Humaira Javed Khan from UNDP, Nighat Ahsan from SIFC, Erum Mumtaz Founder of IDEAS Institute of Dyslexia Education & Attitudinal Studies.& Bazeecha Welfare Foundation, Shumayla Siddiqui ICCI, Dr Samina Nazir Chairperson PODA, Dr Tehreem Azeem from NUST, Dr Ghazala Khan of Institute of Banking and Finance, Ayesha Masood, Samia Rashid, Mahnoor Qureshy the renown anchorpersons, Shakila Jalil from National Press Club, Robina Nasir from First Woman Bank, Lubna Qureshy from PML , Shagufta Sohail Awan Chairperson Sukh Sanjh Foundation, Shaheena Hafiz IWCCI, Zara Habib from Maroof Hospital, Shehnaz Fashion Designer, Riffat Ara Baig DAVCOM, Sadia Feroz Malik from Woman Protection Punjab, Muntaha Shah Rukh Dress Designer RJ, Sanam RCCI, Maham Shahid IT, Humaira Shaheen Clinical Psychologist, Zeesha Ashraf, Sabohi Hussain, Mahnoor Aftab, Nosheen Paracha of Finance Literacy and many others. Director Pakistan Bait ul Maal Masroor Ahmed was also present.
Ms Amna Munawwar Awan shed light on her initiatives taken in last decade for the empowerment of marginalized women of society. She mentioned E-Woman project in this regard. She said, COPAIR launched its first program in 2010 with signing of an agreement with FPCCI.
About Million women , she said, the women in mostly backward areas will be equipped with different skills that further enable them to earn their living and share the burden of their men.
The women leaders, while sharing their views said, the population is the biggest problem of this country. We need to work on human development of our women. Their health and education should be priority of the state and society.
They expressed their concern on the increasing number of mortality during child birth. Anti harassment law should be implemented strictly at work places. Inheritance from the property is big issue in Pakistan. Women mostly are deprived of their right. Cottage or small medium industries should be promoted and supported for the empowerment of women across the country.
The participants welcomed the Empowerment Initiative and emphsized upon the decision makers to design such projects in all provinces at district level. They said , the intiative can help raise a good number of self reliant women like Hazrat Khadija was the first woman entrepreneur of Islam and example for all women.
