Inspiring Insights: ‘Women’s role can improve communities, even countries’

Speakers from around the world discuss need to empower women.

LAHORE:

Speakers at a conference titled Inspiring Insights on Wednesday discussed various ways women can accomplish their career ambitions and maximise their potential as existing and emerging leaders. 

The seminar on women leadership was organised by New World Concepts.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olsen addressed the audience via video link. He spoke about how women’s economic participation could help improve the condition of communities and countries. He said the US supported building cross-border connections.

Ambassador of Norway Cecilie Landsverk highlighted success stories of women who were positively impacting their communities and families through collaboration and development work.

Senator Aitezaz Ahsan and Bushra Aitezaz discussed the challenges for families in managing a work-life balance in demanding careers.

Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Sohail Lashari spoke on the need to support young women entrepreneurs. He also highlighted various services the LCCI provided to assist new and established businesses run by women.

Zuhal Mansfield, the chairperson of TMG Natural Stone Mining and Construction Co, Turkey, discussed the role of women as pioneers.

Janaki Kuruppu, chairperson of Sri Lanka’s Tea Board, said she was delighted to be part of the International Women Leadership Seminar. She said women needed to be courageous and innovative in workplace. Fauzia Viqar, chairperson of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women, discussed various facets of women leadership.

Dr Sohail Naqvi, vice chancellor of LUMS, discussed how universities nurtured women for leadership roles.

Yasmin Hyder, CEO of New World Concepts, said the seminar was a great chance for Pakistani delegates to broaden horizons and overcome personal and professional barriers by hearing success stories from around the world. She said the conference focused on bringing women professionals and entrepreneurs together to learn from pioneers in diverse fields such as business, government, medicine and entertainment.

A panel discussion titled Women and Institution Building featured Shahima Rehman, chairperson of Fatima Memorial System, and architect Fauzia Qureshi.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2014.