ANOTHER YEAR OF RECOGNITION

women

Women are an integral part of society. Phenomenal changes have taken place across the world in recent years as women have the potential to play a multidimensional role from societal to organisational. By celebrating the achievements of strong women role models, barriers that prevent others following in their footsteps are broken down.

Recently, Dawood Global Foundation held the 14th Ladiesfund Women’s Awards for Pakistan 2023 at Sindh Governor House, Karachi, honouring some significant women of the year, and aligning Pakistani women and businesses to UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“These awards are about highlighting the best of Pakistani women, and also a gathering of the most dynamic and enterprising minds,” stated President, Tara Uzra Dawood.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori who was the Chief Guest, spoke about the government’s commitment to women. “We commend and appreciate the efforts to educate thousands of girls in Sindh and across Pakistan through their Educate a Girl programme, including the daughters of the staff here at Sindh Governor House. Their tireless efforts are also laudable for extending relief to the flood affectees with food, rations and bamboo houses and distributing wheelchairs across Sindh and Pakistan. I would also acknowledge their initiatives like Karachi Night Market for the promotion of women SMEs (Small and medium-sized enterprises) and artisans. Once again, extend heartiest admiration and congratulate every recipient of award here and wish for their more accomplishments in days to come,” he said.

“In order to reduce the gender gap and financially empower women to play their productive role as economic agents, the State Bank of Pakistan - as the regulator of the country’s banking system - is striving to make the policy and regulatory framework more conducive for women’s financial inclusion. An important step taken in that direction is the launch of the landmark Gender Mainstreaming Policy, called Banking on Equality, in 2021,” shared State Bank Governor, Jameel Ahmad.

Some special categories included the Artistic Milliners Commendation for Literature to Shama Askari, Fouzia Saeed and Yasmeen Motisam and the Bank Alfalah Commendation for Flood Relief to Fauzia Khuhro for her contributions.

Some of the women who were awarded in different categories included Sima Kamil, Shamaeel Ansari, Shafaq Sewani and Parveen Rizvi. The awards were chosen by vote of the people of Pakistan. The evening was a successful celebration of women across many different fields, empowering them and inspiring others as well.

- Faiza M.