Muhammad Saleem

Women entrepreneurs and workers of Faisalabad, which is known as textile capital of Pakistan, are contributing a lot to the national economic landscape and reshaping the business dynamics. The women entrepreneurs of Faisalabad have set up a platform – Faisalabad Woman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FWCCI) to support and promote their economic empowerment. The chamber is arranging various activities for the women entrepreneurs, including training, education and networking, so they can explore new business horizons. “We are observing a transformation as women are trying their luck to run their own businesses. It's praiseworthy that female entrepreneurs are contemplating to launch their own start-ups,” said Ms Faqiha, deputy secretary of FWCCI.

She said women had always remained at the forefront in every field, including the business sector. She said scores of clinics, hospitals and educational institutions were led by women. “In the days to come, people will witness women in different fields of life as they are now breaking the norms and societal hurdles.” “Everyone knows that women are instrumental in every sphere of life, contributing a lot to the national economy. However, it's a matter of concern that women’s roles have not been acknowledged,” she added. Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative, an NGO which organises training for women entrepreneurs, claims only 1% of women are entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

According to it, women business owners face a myriad of challenges, ranging from legal barriers that prevent them from establishing a business, to lack of access to loans and financial know-how. The NGO has launched a training programme for women entrepreneurs in Pakistan in 2020 with the help of the World Bank. Mehmooda Bibi is one of the women of Faisalabad who are helping their families through different home-based ventures. Mehmooda, who trims the extra threads of gloves at her home, said she was earning a good amount monthly.

She said factory owners were thriving due to the hard work of workers. However, she said the workers were paid just the wages, and not any extra benefits. “I don't know whether I am playing any sort of role to strengthen the country’s economy, but I am pretty sure that I am ensuring food for my family,” said Mehmooda, who has never been to school. Nasreen Kausar, a businesswoman, said gone were the days when women were forced to stay indoors and do nothing except home chores. “Now women are exhibiting their skills in every field of life, and they are no more confined to kitchen only.”

She said countless women were taking the textile and agriculture sectors to the next level through their strenuous efforts. “The women are reshaping the sectors through their ideas and skills.” The social welfare department of the Punjab government has planned to upgrade the Sanatzars (district industrial homes) across the province where the women would be given training on modern lines so that they could earn a better living. Mudassar Riaz, director general of the social welfare department, said different courses, including designing and marketing, were part of the upgradation programme. He said with the help of such courses, the women would be enabled to advertise their products efficiently.

He said efforts would also be made to train the women how to find new markets online so that they could earn a handsome living. “Women empowerment is the prime target of the social welfare department,” he said, adding they were also in touch with different brands to enhance women’s skills.

Credit: INP-WealthPk