‘Country will not move forward if 50% of its population is ignored’

Panelists underscore Pakistan's GDP can get a boost of 30% with gender parity

KARACHI: Speakers at a panel discussion on Monday at the Aga Khan University's "Time is Now - Gender Equity and Women in Leadership" conference, underscored the challenges faced by women at workplaces, while also highlighting opportunities that can help them excel for the betterment of their institution and the country. Prominent industry leaders took part in the discussion which was moderated by journalist and fiction writer, Bina Shah.

Speaking on the occasion, founder of Circle Women Association, Sadaffe Abid, said that the country is in a state of crisis as far as women advancement is concerned.

"We have limited women's representation in the formal economy, one of the lowest in the region. For me, the pace of progress is just too slow," Abid lamented. "I feel there is a commitment, and attention is being given as seminar and talks are happening but in terms of real progress and macro indicators changing, I don't witness the kind of pace that I would like to see," she continued, envisioning that men and women should thrive in ideal workplaces. "You have to feel elevated and enthusiastic in a work environment where people are able to bring their best," she said.

Panelists underscored that Pakistan's GDP can get a boost of 30% if there is gender parity.

Facilities for working women

"Gender equality has to be a level playing field and unfortunately whether we like it or not, in Pakistan it's not and even worse.. I think it all starts from home," said Shazad Dada, the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank. He stressed the need to work on the 'unconscious bias'.

"Phrases like 'be a man' or 'do not weep like girls' - we don't realise the gender bias in them. I think we need to correct ourselves and if not, we will head towards a disaster," Dada asserted. "This country will not make it forward if 50 percent of its population is ignored or not treated as equal," he said.

Inclusivity

Talking about having a fair environment at work for both women and men, Jehan Ara, the president of Pasha - a trade association - stressed the need for a more inclusive approach.

"I don't see why the vision cannot be broad and as large as we can make it. My aim really is that Pakistani workplaces should have gender equity based on merit and opportunities that men and women should own," she said.

"The needs should be identified and that really happens only when supervisors and managers work closely with their employees and provide what they need to be successful... I think that should be the criteria," said Jehan Ara, implying if that understanding is not developed, the organisation as well as the society suffers.

"It is doable and will make more money than if you are not fair in the way you treat your people. We have seen that if the team is taken care of and treated in a just manner, they deliver much more," she continued, taking into consideration the monetary perspective as well.

Speakers also shared measures that are being taken within their organisations to promote gender equality.

Women’s empowerment in Pakistan

Shazia Syed, Chairperson and CEO of Unilever Pakistan and president of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that her company policies have been formulated based on the needs of women and have been derived, keeping the culture (family dynamics) in mind. "Our policies today are robust, made by the people and are well-received by both men and women, such as a day-care facility and flexible hours," she pointed out.

Panelists also discussed laws to combat sexual harassment at workplaces.

Yasmin Karim, Programme Manager for Gender and Development at the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme said that a systematic arrangement has been set up to deal with cases of harassment. "We have a code of conduct and a zero tolerance policy in this regard. Our newly hired individuals are given an intensive orientation about the system," said Karim. "We have also constituted a grievance and sexual harassment committee where victims can report...we have set rules to punish the guilty as well."

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2019.