SZABIST ZABTech successfully hosted the Tool Kits Distribution Ceremony & Lesson Learned Workshop of the Women Economic Empowerment Project in collaboration with UN Women at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi. The event commenced with: Registration and Working Tea, where participants and guests gathered to kick off the day.
The opening session began at 10:30 am with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the National Anthem. The Executive Director of SZABIST ZABTech then extended a warm welcome note, appreciating the contributions of the project’s participants and partners. Following this, a video documentary was showcased, summarizing the journey and key milestones of SZABIST ZABTech. The ceremony continued with the much-anticipated tool kits distribution, providing participants with essential resources to help them grow their businesses. Mr. Anwer Qureshi, Head of Operations of UN-Women, delivered a powerful speech on the significance of empowering women economically. The session was capped off with an address by the Chief Guest, Chancellor SZABIST University Dr.Azra Fazal Pechuho who recognized the project’s role in promoting self-reliance for women in local communities.
The event transitioned into a presentation of the project overview, where the Program Manager ZABTech detailed the progress and future plans of the project. This was followed by a discussion on the lessons learned at the national level, presented by a UN-Women Representative. This reflection provided valuable insights into the challenges and achievements of the project across Pakistan.
The workshop continued with the community participation segment, where two women from Surjani Town and Azam Town shared their inspiring success stories, highlighting how the project has positively impacted their lives and helped them achieve financial independence. This was followed by a discussion on the challenges and recommendations from the community, where participants offered practical suggestions for overcoming obstacles faced by women entrepreneurs.
In the afternoon session, a panel discussion was held on the theme of “Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Women as Catalysts for Change.” The panel, composed of women leaders from various sectors, discussed the vital role of entrepreneurship in empowering women and shared stories of overcoming challenges. They also explored how to create supportive ecosystems for female entrepreneurs, emphasizing access to funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers. A vote of thanks was delivered by the ZABTech Team.The day ended with a group photo and a final tea session, celebrating the success of the event and reaffirming the commitment to continuing the advancement of women’s economic empowerment.