Economic excellence can be achieved if we provide equal opportunities: Speakers
IBA Center for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) in collaboration with Oxfam in Pakistan celebrated the International Women’s Day in March, 2021. The objective of this event was to acknowledge the contribution of women in our society. Dr. Syed Akbar Zaidi (Executive Director IBA) graced the event as Chief Guest and Mr. Azeem Faisal represented Oxfam as Guest of Honor. More than 200 women participated from Government Vocational and Technical Institute for Women, Buffer Zone, entrepreneurs, civil society women and staff members from IBA. Dr. Syed Akbar Zaidi addressed the audience and appreciated the role of women in each household. He said that these are the women whose support helps the men to achieve excellence in their careers adding that everything is incomplete without women.
He thanked the Oxfam in Pakistan for collaborating with IBA for various initiatives and ensured IBA’s support for more avenues of collaboration in coming days.
After tilawat and national anthem, an awareness session about down syndrome was organized. Dr. Iffet shared the story of her daughter Syeda Alishba Amin ud Din who is a special child with down syndrome symptoms. Despite the challenges, Dr. Iffet has helped Alishba to shine through refining her artistic abilities and helping her become economically sustainable. Dr. Shahid Qureshi highlighted the role IBA CED in promoting women entrepreneurship through various programs and shared globally recognized indigenous E+ model of entrepreneurship. Mr. Azeem Faisal paid tribute to IBA CED for working for women inclusion. He said that Oxfam was working in Pakistan since 1970s and their programs focus on women empowerment through various initiative with local partners. He emphasized that as a nation, we can achieve economic excellence if we provide equal opportunities and enabling environment to all genders and segments of society.
Ms. Nahid Nasir, (Principal Government Vocational and Technical Institute for Women, Buffer Zone) shared the role of her institute in developing skills in young girls which make them economically sustainable. The panel discussion of around 10 women entrepreneurs highlighted the success stories of these women who started their business ventures and running them successfully. They highlighted different challenges they faced and how did they overcome those challenges. This panel discussion provided a road map to the participants for pursuing their dreams. The event ended at exhibition of women entrepreneurs’ products and lunch.
