ISLAMABAD, OCT 1 /DNA/ – Secretary General of United Business Group Zafar Bakhtawri has said that women’s empowerment is crucial to the advancement of the country and cannot be overstated.
He said that we cannot achieve progress and equality unless we give women, who make up the majority of Pakistan’s population, more power.
Speaking at the Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) Annual General Meeting, Chief Guest Zafar Bakhtawri stated that women’s empowerment is very important for national development.
He went on to say that despite many obstacles, there has been a notable change in public views, laws, and programs meant to promote gender equality.
Education, according to the business leader, is one of the main tenets of women’s empowerment, and we are improving the percentage of female literacy.
Positive changes have resulted from initiatives to build schools, give scholarships, and raise awareness of the value of education for girls.
Adil Sheraz, Country Manager Care Pakistan, Muqadas Ali, CEO of Power Play, Ammara Batool, Head of Business Development Jazz Cash, and others also spoke on the occasion.
They said that women need economic empowerment to achieve independence and engage actively in society. Microfinance initiatives, vocational training, and support for women entrepreneurs will significantly enhance the economic prospects for women.
They pointed out that protecting women’s rights requires legal improvements in tackling issues including harassment, discrimination, and domestic violence.
Women are now more represented in politics than they were a few years ago. A more inclusive political environment will result in encouraging women to participate in politics, they underscored.
Then the oath of office was administered to the newly elected office bearers, which included President Samina Fazil, SVP Shamaila Naz, VP Rabia Farhan, and Executive Members such as Nabila Sami, Saima Naz Jamshed, Samina Bashir, Shazia Imran, Mumtaz Akhtar, Rabia Ali, Tasmiyah Rina, Farida Rashid, and Sana Amin.
Newly-elected President IWCCI, Samina Fazil, who holds the honour of the founder president of the chamber, also spoke at the event, pointing out that despite progress, challenges persist.
Entrenched cultural norms, gender-based violence, and economic inequalities continue to impede the complete fulfilment of women’s empowerment, she said.
According to Samina Fazil, we need to change cultural perceptions, strengthen the processes used to implement current laws and foster an environment that upholds women’s rights.
She said that while the combined efforts of the government, civil society, women’s chambers and international organizations are commendable, much work remains in this area before every woman can realize her full potential and contribute to the country’s success.
