Knowledge Sharing Symposium – Rawalpindi

The Knowledge Sharing Symposium was held by Shaoor Foundation for Education &

Awareness under its project, Fostering Critical Thinking and Entrepreneurial Skills in Young

Women for Gender Inclusive Socioeconomic Development (FCTEW) at Rawalpindi Women

University, on July 24, 2023.The event aimed to share insights from the project’s work in the university, discuss interventions and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, explore initiatives from policy and government fronts, and deliberate on opportunities to collectively empower women for future financial projects.

Ms. Wardah Iftikhar, the Project Manager at FCTEW, warmly welcomed the attendees and highlighted the foundation’s mission of empowering women through entrepreneurship. Mr. Shoaib Akbar, Executive Director of SFEA, delivered an inspiring opening address, sharing remarkable achievements and significant work accomplished in women empowerment through FCTEW. The project short documentary was played to give an overview of the activities and impactful work of FCTEW.

A focal point of the Symposium was the engaging panel discussion on “Women Empowerment Initiatives and Challenges,” moderated by Ms. Sabohi Ali, Senior Program Manager at SFEA. The panel featured remarkable women entrepreneurs: Ms. Ambreen Haider (Founder of “Let’s Grow Together”), Ms. Gulle Zeba (Founder and CEO of “Humkaar” and Executive member of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce), Naureen Ghaffar (Business Development Consultant at “Extreme Engineering Systems”), Ms. Shadab Khan (CEO and Founder of “Shadab Khan Couture” and Chairperson Women’s standing committee of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Ms. Sadaf Asim Abbasi (CEO of “Eateria” and former Vice President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and Ms. Naila Tassasaq (Founder of “Naila’s Haute Couture”).

The panelists unanimously agreed on the importance of passion as a driving force for entrepreneurship. They stressed that without a genuine passion for business, scaling it to greater heights becomes challenging. The session emphasized the significance of critical thinking and having clear life goals. A proper business plan and its effective execution were highlighted as vital elements for success. Furthermore, the panel emphasized the value of having mentors to provide guidance and support.

Ms. Shadab, Chairperson Women’s standing committee RCCI and CEO Shadab Khan Couture, shared her inspiring journey of entrepreneurship, underlining how taking charge of her life paved the way for her success. She also praised the commendable work of RCCI in supporting new businesses, emphasizing the significance of business registration and obtaining an NTN number.

Ms. Ambreen Haider, CEO of “Let’s Grow Together,” highlighted the importance of male support and the normalization of women in business. She shared her remarkable journey and how she now collaborates with numerous women entrepreneurs.

Ms. Naureen Ghaffar, Business Development Consultant at “Extreme Engineering Systems,” stressed the need for exposure and connectivity, especially for university students, as they have the opportunity to learn and grow. She further emphasized that Pakistan’s challenges can be seen as opportunities for innovation, ultimately contributing to the growth of the economy.

Ms. Sadaf Asim Abbasi, CEO of Eateria, shares her experience, she emphasizes the significance of an entrepreneur’s passion and willingness to take risks. She discusses the importance of balancing life, how ideas are born through passion, and the need to maintain a positive outlook to make a positive impact on the journey.

Ms. Gulle Zeba, Founder and CEO of “Humkaar,” emphasized that challenges are inevitable in business, but true entrepreneurs embrace risks. She underscored the importance of self-belief and supporting one another. Leveraging social media and open-source learning were encouraged, and she praised the support provided by chambers to new ventures.

The Symposium also provided an opportunity for SEED grant winners of RWU to interact with entrepreneurs by pitching their business progress and receiving valuable feedback to aid their startups.

Prof. Dr. Anila Kamal, Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Women University, expressed gratitude to Shaoor Foundation for making RWU a part of Project FCTEW and contributing to capacity building. Her experience and insights regarding business inspired the attendees.

Concluding the event, Mr. Shoaib Akbar extended his thanks to the guests and participants. He described the Knowledge Sharing Symposium as a wonderful experience, fostering meaningful discussions and furthering women empowerment initiatives.

The Symposium concluded with the presentation of shields to the speakers and panelists, symbolizing appreciation for their valuable contributions. The attendees reaffirmed their commitment to implementing collective empowerment initiatives at the local level, empowering women to shape their own destinies. The focus now lies on identifying opportunities and formulating strategies for future collaborative efforts in financial empowerment projects. The event ended on a high note with a group photo session and a networking lunch, fostering connections and collaborations among like-minded individuals.