Expo held to promote women entrepreneurs

Islamabad: Young Leaders Summit 2019 and Life Style Exhibition aiming at empowerment of women and highlighting the progressive image of society was held here at Jinnah Convention Centre. Hundreds of entrepreneurs representing different businesses participated in the annual event organised by Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI).

Women artisans and representatives of various government and non-government organizations working for the betterment of women also participated in the event. Thousands of visitors flocked to the event to participate in training seminars, motivational workshops and enjoy games, food, music, and buy different products put on display.

Speaking to the participants, founder president IWCCI Samina Fazil said that we fully and unconditionally support the poverty alleviation programme recently announced by the Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is a very important step for helping the country's most vulnerable communities realize their economic and social rights and it has a special emphasis to lift women out of poverty. "Women empowerment is the key to reduce poverty, therefore, the entire population should be provided equal opportunities," she said.

Samina Fazil said that the women should not be discriminated and they should be allowed to fully exploit their potential which would automatically address poverty. Eighty percent of the stitching workforce in Pakistan is comprised of men while in Bangladesh 90 per cent of stitching jobs are done by women, she informed. A few decades back Bangladesh’s per capita income was half of that in Pakistan but today it is hundred percent above Pakistan due to the economic inclusion of women, she informed.