Looking to improve female workforce numbers

US-Pakistan Women’s Council making efforts to train women

KARACHI: With only 22% of women making up Pakistan's workforce, the US-Pakistan Women's Council has teamed up with stakeholders to increase women's economic participation in the country through entrepreneurship, employment and education. 

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Executive Director of the US-Pakistan's Women's Council Melanie J Bixby expressed her keenness to increase economic opportunities for women in Pakistan with support from the Organisation for Pakistani Entrepreneurs.

In a private-public partnership between the US State Department and American University, the council has taken several initiatives to achieve their mission of encouraging more Pakistani women to enter the workforce through empowerment.



"Women are a development multiplier. Income in the hands of women is a development multiplier," Bixby said.

 

PHOTO: CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

She stressed upon educating young girls and preparing them for the workforce from a young age. She was determined that changing mindsets and providing career counseling would ensure positive changes within the workforce.

Bixby said that despite some companies having a 50% female employment goal, they were not being able to achieve this due to many women not fitting the criteria for the available positions.

This is where the council will come in, she explained. Providing initiatives, whereby women received better training and support, would enable them to fill these roles, and in turn enable companies to fulfill their criteria and create further opportunities for women to enter the workforce.

 

PHOTO: CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

When questioned about whether the council faced any challenges in achieving its goals, she said, "I feel like I am pushing on open doors."

"Many companies have shown a strong inclination towards hiring women for key posts. Engro, Coca Cola, Procter and Gamble and Pepsi all heard about our initiatives and contacted us," she added.

Lauding the efforts of Lahore based company Packages Ltd, Bixby hoped other companies too would follow in their footsteps and create opportunities for women through internships and training programmes.

 

PHOTO: MEHAK AMEER

As times are changing, Bixby ascertained that more girls are being able to complete their education and are entering the workforce.

Sharing her experience as a woman with a demanding career at the State Department, Melanie said her family helped her raise her child.

Responding to a question about the interests of the US initiating such projects in Pakistan, Brixby said, "Investment is a key to success in any country," adding that being a key partner, the US is engaged with Pakistan on a broad range of issues.

A shorter version of this article was published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2015.

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