Professional world: Women’s leadership conference to start today

Event to highlight women’s development.

LAHORE: A ‘Women’s Leadership Conference’, organised by the Trade Development Authority, is aiming to highlight successful entrepreneurs and professionals across different sectors, serving as a platform for the country’s females to gather under one roof and develop linkages as well.

The conference, which is being held on Thursday, is themed ‘women hold up half the sky’.



Amid the prevailing social and cultural norms, women in Pakistan are facing challenges in pursuing personal and professional development. But, through a series of keynote addresses and roundtable discussions, the conference is aiming to provide women leaders an opportunity to share experiences and their learning with the audience.

The conference aims to serve as a catalyst for aspiring women leaders, providing them with the wisdom and insights to solutions. It is also hoped that the conference would help inspire the upcoming generation to increase the success of women in the workplace and increase their representation.

Speaking about English Biscuit Manufacturers Private Limited’s role in supporting the event, Dr Zeelaf Munir, chairperson of the Executive Management Board of EBM said the drive towards fostering development should be sustained.

“My own experience and those of highly capable and intelligent women professionals all around us highlight the point that women never stop learning,” said Munir. “We need to hold on to this quality and foster it in those around us. I strongly believe that the road towards self-improvement and development is limitless – but one must sustain this drive to earn the rewards at the end.”

The welcome address will be given by Rabiya Javeri Agha, TDAP secretary, while the keynote address will be given by Josette Dijkhuizen, women’s representative in the Netherlands to the United Nations General Assembly. A special address by Maryam Nawaz is also scheduled.

Other speakers and panelists at the conference include prominent women leaders and professionals of the country such as Charmaine Hidayatullah, First Women’s Bank president, Ayesha Bux, Pakistan Honorary Investment Consul to Australia; Shireen Khan, chairperson at Aahan, Ayesha Aziz, director at Pak Brunei Investment Co.

Nasreen Mahmud Kasuri, chairperson at Beaconhouse School System, Seema Aziz, CARE Foundation chairperson, Sajida Vandal, THAAP Crafts director among others will also be part of the conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2014.

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