“Countries with more gender equality have better economic growth. Companies with more women leaders perform better. Peace agreements that include women are more durable. Parliaments with more women enact more legislation on key social issues such as health, education, anti-discrimination and child support. The evidence is clear: equality for women means progress for all,” Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General, UN.
This year’s theme, “Equality for women is progress for all” emphasizes how gender equality, empowerment of women, women’s full enjoyment of human rights and the eradication of poverty are essential to economic and social development. It also stresses the vital role of women as agents of development.
Women form the majority of the world’s population, and they play an integral role to our economy. That is why Barclays is marking International Women’s Day with a series of events around the world that aim to provide inspiration, motivation and development opportunities.
Keeping this year’s theme in mind, Barclays Bank Pakistan organised an interactive session, ‘Inspiring Women’, recently held at British Deputy High Commission, Karachi. The idea was to acknowledge women’s participation in social and economic development. The event was attended by prominent women professionals from different walks of life. It was an interesting mix of outstanding women from politics, media, banking sector, cooperate sector and entertainment industry including Sharmeela Faroouqi, Ayesha Tammy Haq, Tehmina Khalid, Fauzia Naqvi, Rehana Hakeem, Nadya Mistri, Angie Marshal etc.
Shazad Dada, CEO, (BBP) welcomed the guests. Addressing the audience during the event, the British Deputy High Commissioner and Director for UK Trade & Investment, Pakistan – John A. Tucknott MBE said, “The UK is working hard globally to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment. I am therefore delighted to welcome so many prominent women to the British Deputy High Commission, to celebrate the accomplishments of women in Pakistan – in politics, business, education, social affairs and family life.” Distinguished speakers like Musharaf Hai (Loreal), Ameena Sayeed (Oxford Press) and Dr. Sadia Rizvi (South City Hospital), shared their success stories with the audiences. Their success stories were truly inspirational for young working women. The event ended on a pleasant note with women taking 2014 diaries happily to their homes.
