Zubair Qureshi
The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), in collaboration with the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division, the Ministry of Human Rights, and the Punjab Government, hosted a National Women’s Conference on Economic Empowerment to commemorate International Women’s Day.
The conference emphasized the vital importance of investing in women’s potential and acknowledging their invaluable contributions to society and sustainable economic growth.
A prominent highlight of the event was the awarding of the annual PPAF Amtul Raqeeb Awards to female community leaders from marginalized areas across Pakistan, celebrating their resilience and inspirational leadership within their communities. Additionally, four special accolades were given to outstanding individuals for their exceptional commitment and innovation, setting the stage for further progress and excellence in their respective fields.
The event was attended by representatives from government institutions, the donor and diplomatic community, academia, civil society, and students from educational institutions. In his welcome address, Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), underscored the essential link between gender equality and sustainable development goals, including good governance, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
He highlighted the central role of women and girls in PPAF’s initiatives, noting the significant impact that empowering women has on their lives and communities. Barech detailed PPAF’s efforts in enhancing women’s access to financial resources, providing assets, interest-free loans, and technical and financial training to reduce poverty and promote inclusion. He emphasized the importance of giving women a voice, including them in decision-making processes, and removing barriers to their participation in development, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to women’s empowerment. Nilofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Girl students from various colleges in Islamabad and Rawalpindi impressed the audience with their performances themed around the Economic Empowerment of Women, earning accolades from a panel of judges for their creativity and insight.
