KARACHI: Musharaf Hai, former CEO of Unilever and L’Oreal has said that entry of women into corporate sector and trade associations should be based on merit and not because of their gender. Biases, prejudice and preconceptions make it difficult for women to come forward. Women should be courageous and not succumb to conforming to what others say. Women should exhibit their knowledge, expertise and competence to counter negativity in their march forward. Addressing audience at National Conference on Gender Equality hosted by Global Compact Network Pakistan (GCNP) she advised women audience that they should not box themselves up, but must arm themselves with required knowledge, laws and regulations if they want to change their surrounding environment. If strong women were not visible, then their very purpose would face setbacks. “She advised that three important qualities are important for women to excel, progress and scale. Women must have confidence in themselves and their professions or careers. They must possess integrity of purpose and for this, they have to be fearless. Moreover, it is crucial that they move ahead with perseverance and face any adversity in their way.”

She said that in her career, she had been mentoring and motivating women subordinates and today number of women are climbing ladder of hierarchy in enterprises. She opined that despite misogynistic environment in many corporations, those women who are determined to achieve their objectives continue to prove their merit and hence they are more positioned to succeed and be recognised.

Majyd Aziz President Global Compact Network Pakistan said that theme of conference is ‘Breaking Ceiling in Pakistan’s Misogynistic Ecosystem’ and purpose of conference was to advocate balanced entrepreneurial ecosystem for present and future generations.

He said, “During his four decades of involvement in chambers and associations, he learned power of saying ,”I can” and he hoped that more and more women would also say, “I can”. He also narrated many instances of his leadership in KCCI, Employers Federation of Pakistan and GCNP, through which he assisted in breaking ceiling for women.”

Majyd Aziz added that in Islamic tradition, woman has an independent identity, she is responsible person in her own right and she carries burden of her moral and spiritual obligations. Women have as much right to education as men do. He also informed that Holy Prophet (PBUH) had said, “Among my followers, best of men are those who are best to their wives and best of wives are those who are best to their husbands. Best of women are those who assist their husbands in their work”.

He said today, by law, there has to be at least one woman on Board of Directors. He informed that today, Employers Federation of Pakistan has five women on twenty-member Board, process that commenced when he took over as EFP President in 2017. Although there are many women heads of state and government, four SAARC countries, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka have already reached that milestone.

Hina Mansab Khan Chairperson of Women Chambers Council said that motto of her organisation is, “I am” and assured that now women will not fail. She said that women have to exert their rights and that now they are earning a lot of respect. She lamented that despite gains made by women, Pakistan is number 187 in Gender Equality Global Index. She also gave an example of tremendous work of women in Gilgit and called for some policy to deter middlemen who extract most of profit that should have gone to women involved in producing handicrafts and garments in Gilgit.

Yulia Bazhenova representative of GIZ Germany informed that GIZ is very much involved in textile industry in Pakistan with focus on labour, social and environmental standards. GIZ is working with one hundred companies in field of gender equality, women employment and women empowerment. GIZ is also now introducing new programmes and projects to further spread message to and sensitise industries to promote gender equality and women employment.

Very vibrant and informative panel discussion was held with four panelists, Dr. Uzma Shujaat of Area Study Centre for Europe, Karachi University, Sadaf Hatif CEO of company providing manpower services, Ayesha Ashraf Jangda head of Women Development in Bank Islami and Farheen Zahoor head of Sustainability in AGI Denim.

They highlighted fact that despite all these roadblocks, they were and are committed to achieve their objectives and excel in their work. They said that even females are misogynistic, while many male bosses have an egoistic nature in dealing with women. They accepted that women have tough journey in their careers. They implore that women who wear Niqaab should not be discriminated against but encouraged in corporate sector. It was also mentioned that despite all challenges, this is best time to be woman.

Hai unveiled display of Women in Stamps curated by renowned philatelist Arif Balgamwala who also presented his design of stamp that should be accepted and approved by Pakistan Post for release on International Women’s Day 2024.

Head of ILO Better Work Programme Durreshawar Nisar, Chairperson of KCCI Women Entrepreneurs Committee and Arif Balgamwala were given with philately award. GCNP staff members Samreen Shaikh with technical support from Zainab Fatima managed event.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 29 2023

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