Knowledge Sharing Symposium- Multan
Shaoor Foundation for Education and Awareness under its project Fostering Critical Thinking and Entrepreneurial Skills in Young Women for Gender Inclusive Socioeconomic Development (FCTEW) held Knowledge Sharing Symposium at Women University Multan. The purpose of the event was to sharing learnings from the project’s in Women University Multan, discuss interventions,
challenges and initiatives for women entrepreneurs at policy and government’s front, deliberate on opportunities and assert to work forward for collective effort for future financial empowerment projects.
The session had panel discussion on Women Empowerment Initiatives and Challenges that was attended by Ms. Masooma Sibtain ( exVice President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Ms. Samar Qasim (Senior Executive Member APWA), Ms. Shumaila Mirza(Prinicipal APWA), Mr, A B Khan(Associate Professor BZU Multan) and Mr. Waqar (Trainings Manager SME BFC). All attendees of the session emphasized on the need of collective empowerment initiatives that give power to local women. The session highlighted the constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in business, reviewed their operating environment, described the predominant challenges and solutions
The purpose of this session was to discuss the possibilities of collaboration and create a bridge between women entrepreneurs, academia, financial service providers and incubators. Ms. Masooma said, “Increasing the number of entrepreneurs and creating conditions for them to succeed has the potential to improve economic opportunities for everyone.”
Ms. Wardah Iftikhar, project lead discussed the importance of Critical Thinking and its role in women empowerment. University adminstration appreciated the efforts of Shaoor Foundation for Education and Awareness for providing the students and teachers training and holistic networking platform and opportunities.
Ms. Shumaila Mirza mentioned “In Pakistan, there are many reasons why women are the most neglected segment of the workforce. They are lagging not just in education, but also technical skills and professionalism compared their male counterparts in the society.”
The seed grant winners in students’ category; namely Zibiah from True Essence, Muqadas from fine scarf, Farwa Nadeem from Wheels 19-23. Teachers category winners namely Ms. Iram Iqbal from Fresh and fit solutions for women, Dr. Deeba Shahwar from Mobile Kitchen, and Dr. Saima from WUM Green consultants. All the winning ideas were commendable and we hope them to flourish.
Six winners announced towards the end of the event from each students and teachers category who were granted seed money upto 450,000 PKR in total.
Shields were presented to the speakers and panelists. The Symposium concluded with a commitment to implementing collective empowerment initiatives aimed at enabling women at the local level to exert influence and shape their own destinies. Deliberations will focus on identifying opportunities and formulating strategies for collaborative efforts in future financial empowerment projects. followed by a group photo session and a networking lunch.
