Karachi: The Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), in collaboration with GIZ, the International Labour Organization, and UNICEF under the Women Development Network, organized a national forum and an award distribution ceremony to accelerate women empowerment and gender equality. The purpose of the forum and the award distribution ceremony was to enhance awareness and recognize the companies demonstrating good practices in empowering women by promoting gender equality and creating inclusive workplaces. The event was attended by more than 200 attendees, including companies from various sectors, stakeholders, industry leaders, chambers, associations, relevant governmental bodies, and development partners.
According to Employers’ Federation of Pakistan, Shahid Abdul Salam Thahim, Minister for Labour, graced the event as the Chief Guest and in his speech, he highlighted the Sindh government’s commitment to supporting women’s empowerment through practical measures that include new women-led initiatives in transport, education, the workplace, and even at homes. He emphasized that creating equal opportunities aligns with both social justice and economic growth, benefiting businesses and society alike. The government’s policies, such as the Gender Equality Policy, aim to foster fair and inclusive workplaces. He called on employers and industry leaders to join hands in this effort, stressing that women’s full participation is essential for Pakistan’s progress. The Minister highlighted the government’s dedication to building a future where all citizens, especially women, can thrive and contribute meaningfully.
Gier Tonstol, Country Director of ILO, highlighted the key roles the ILO plays not just in improving gender equality within Pakistan but partnering up with constituent organizations like the EFP to promote women empowerment, recognize best practices, and improve decent working conditions to realize decent work for all. He noted that through collaborative efforts, the ILO is addressing systemic barriers, enhancing skills development, and advocating for policies that support work-life balance and fair wages, improving both gender equality and providing better opportunities for women in the workplace.
Muhammad Feroze Alam, Vice President of EFP, in his opening remarks welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest and the supporting partners GIZ, ILO, and UNICEF. He emphasized that gender equality is a fundamental right and critical for sustainable economic development, calling for collective efforts to eliminate discrimination and create equal opportunities. He outlined EFP’s initiatives, such as Gender Equality Policy Guidelines and training programs, to foster inclusive workplaces and commended award-winning organizations in recognition of their demonstration of best practices at the workplace to further promote the sustainable agenda.
Sadaf Hatif, EFP Board Director and Convener of the Women Development Network, at the launch of EFP-WDN Position Paper on Women’s Employment and Empowerment in Pakistan’s Textile Industry, briefed the three key themes of recommendations: Barriers to Employment, Recruitment and Retention Strategies, and Career Advancement. The paper acts as a major stepping stone for the EFP to progress towards a more inclusive economy.
Saquiba Aziz, Component Manager at GIZ, after thanking the Chief Guest for his presence, reinforced GIZ’s commitments towards women empowerment and gender equality by highlighting their efforts to promote inclusivity at the workplace. She emphasized GIZ’s continued support for EFP under the WDN and their broader initiatives aimed at fostering women’s leadership and economic participation.
The national forum also featured a showcase of the best practices by the companies. Detailed presentations on the importance of women empowerment and gender equality were given by Saman Chaudhary, Tehmina Ali, Sara Azhar, and Areeba Asla, from MGA Industries, Yunus Textile Mills Limited, Nestle Pakistan, and H. Nizamuddin and Sons Limited, respectively. The presentations mainly briefed women-led initiatives, improvements in female-led roles, retention methodologies, fulfillment of commitments to pay equity, skills training, and ensuring women get equal growing opportunities within the workplace.
The showcase was followed by a panel discussion that enabled a gender-led discussion on the need to better gender equality as a compliance for all. The panel, represented by Waheeda Mahesar – ZABTech, Umair Mumtaz – PRIMARK, Kiran Zubair – Gov. Sindh Human Rights Dept, Farhat Parveen – Now Communities, Sarah Azhar – Nestle Pakistan, Saira A Khan – KFC Pakistan, talked about women in the workplace, the urgency to better gender equality and ended on the agreement that businesses, governments, and civil society must collaborate to dismantle systemic barriers and accelerate progress toward true gender parity in the workplace.
More than 45 companies were recognized in three different categories of Diamond, Silver, and Gold, in the 5th Edition of the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Award Distribution Ceremony. A total of 16 companies were given the diamond recognition award, 20 companies won the gold recognition award, and the remaining 10 companies received a silver recognition award.
The ceremony concluded on a celebratory note, with award recipients serving as inspiring examples for other organizations to follow in championing gender equality. The event not only honored progress but also reinforced the collective responsibility to build workplaces where women can thrive. With renewed commitment from all stakeholders, the forum set the stage for continued momentum toward a more inclusive and equitable future for Pakistan’s workforce.