The Express Tribune hi five - October 13

Ms OCTOBER 13, 2013

ISSUE NO. 69

A Splash of Colour

4

page

Looking through the glass ceiling

page

2

inside unwind — Whats hot and happening

domestic goddess —

Eid cuisine

8

page

Section In-Charge: Batool Zehra Sub-Editor: Amna Hashmi

The Paki Rambo

2

Ms

the buzz

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 13, 2013

The Glass Ceiling Effect

What’s holding women back?

by Iram Moazzam In early July 2001, when Musharaf Hai was appointed as chairman and CEO of Unilever Pakistan, the corporate world went ablaze with the news since it was the first time that a woman had been granted such a powerful position. While her excellent credentials suggested otherwise, many were skeptical about her ability to lead in a field dominated by men, especially considering the intense pressure that a high profile job like this entails. Fortunately, Hai proved herself by not only making Unilever into Pakistan’s largest consumer goods company but also being ranked amongst the 50 most powerful women in business by Fortune magazine (2004). She currently serves as Managing Director of L’oreal Pakistan and a part-time advisor to local economic forums as well.

Taking away from the example of Hai, one can conclude that the last decade has experienced a rising awareness of the value women add to the corporate world, their impact on an organisation and the contribution they make to the economy at large. This realisation has encouraged many local organisations to offer workplace amenities such as day-care centres, improved maternity leave policies and establishing office committees to cater to their female employees while they work. Unfortunately, these measures fail to break through the invisible barrier of gender bias and at times, outright misogyny, i.e. the glass-ceiling that exists in the corporate world and denies women the right to move up the hierarchy. In other words, a glass-ceiling is an informal set of values or attitudes that limit the level to which women or other minorities can ascend in the organization and is a leading cause of female employee turnover in Pakistan.

Despite having a relatively high number of women in the Parliament, as compared to other South Asian countries (19% of Parliamentarians are women), working women in Pakistan still face great obstacles moving up the corporate ladder and are often excluded from the decision-making process for important social, political and economic issues. The fact that Pakistan ranks second last in a list of 135 countries with gender gap (World Economic Forum 2012) suggests that workplace equality is still a farfetched idea in the country and this can have severe repercussions on not just the health and education of ambitious women across the world but also business and society in general.

Ms.T enters the corporate world to examine the biggest barrier holding working women back and what they can do to get past it

Reasons for glass-ceiling According to Waqar Ahsan, a banker by day and trainer/lecturer by night, glassceiling is the results of decades of societal and gender norms that hinder female involvement outside the confines of their homes, let alone in an office. “The glassceiling occurs because of things like having to travel to work and stay away from their household duties,” suggests Ahsan. “An employee who has other chores to worry about, compared to one who doesn’t, is less likely to remain focused in the office so one can understand why men would be the first choice when assigning positions of influence. Not to mention working with women entails maternity leaves and other considerations as well,” he adds.

Perhaps glass-ceiling can also be attributed to years of male leadership in the corporate world which has created a masculine, patriarchal working environment.

“Women on the other hand tend to have a different, much softer leadership style,” explains Ahsan.

Building on Ahsan’s viewpoint, HR Manager Sarah Abid suggests that “the nature of men and women are such that women are much more risk-averse than men when in reality, business is often all about taking risks. A female employee’s caution, although a good thing, can be just what keeps her from a more lucrative job.”

Sabeen Fareed, a Quality Assurance Engineer at a multinational software house has a less holistic view. According to Fareed, women themselves encourage the prevalence of glass-ceiling since they rarely ever stick around in one company long enough to attain a higher position. “Hard work aside, getting to the top takes time. Unfortunately, so many Pakistani women drop out of work for shaadi, bachay or ghardaari etc. How can they progress when they aren’t working at all?” she says.

Additionally, female employees aren’t given the mentorship and assistance by their seniors, who subconsciously overlook their qualifications and abilities simply because they are women. Therefore, men are more likely to hire people who similar to them, i.e. other men.

Effects of glass-ceiling Perpetuating a cycle of unfulfilled career expectations among women can spread insecurity and even depression. “It’s only natural that I would feel unappreciated if my hard work was not being paid off,” says Hina Shahid, a full-time investment banker. “It is highly upsetting and de-motivating to feel like you are not worth it and can make you want to resign.”

We must also remember that the level of sexism and chauvinism rampant in Pakistan worsens the economy by adding to under or no employment and poverty.

3

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 13, 2013

Break the glass-ceiling According to the Pakistan Council of Science and Technology, the current ratio of female contribution to the boardrooms of Pakistan is just 4.6% and despite improvements over the last decade, Pakistan remains a primarily male-dominated economy. But what can be done to grant women more power? How can the scales be tipped in favour of the career-oriented, focused women who wish to break the mould and make a mark in the world?

Unfortunately, there is no set formula to counter glass-ceiling in the office. It takes exceptional courage for a woman to voice such sensitive issues. Nonetheless, one must take the risk to honour her ambitions and for these enterprising women, we recommend the following: • Strive not for equality but being better than the competition.

It is crucial to work hard and build a solid case for a promotion: if you are worth the hassle, any organisation should be willing to break its norms for you. And if you are being discriminated against, stay and fight for your rights.

• Generally, it is easy to gauge an organization’s values and philosophy by its senior management i.e. if the upper tier of employees has few or no women, it could be a bad sign. Hence, it is advisable to glance at the higher ranks before taking up employment at a firm to avoid issues in the future.

• Remember that companies who do not appreciate workforce diversity are likely to see good people resign frequently and may not change their policies. Hence, seek a career in a company that isn’t too strict or male-dominated. A flexible and caring firm is also likely to be much more conducive to working women in other aspects as well, such as maternity leaves and office timings.

• Always know and advocate your value. Others will not appreciate your skills and potential unless you do and make your co-workers aware of them. So stop selling yourself short and show off your achievements. You are worth much more than you know!

• Do not be afraid to pave your own path as this is the path that will lead to success. Do as you please, so long as you believe that it is the right course of action and then stick to it. Trying to fit in hampers one’s uniqueness which in today’s competitive word, is necessary to move ahead. Therefore, be bold and stand away from the crows; tiptoeing around issues and shying away from voicing your opinions will not get you noticed.

• It is a fact that nobody, men and women alike, can expand their knowledge, gain experience and become sound leaders without taking a few risks in their careers. While this may indeed put your (and your subordinates) career in jeopardy, playing it safe will not boost your leadership skills. Hence, be confident!

Put yourself out there and take chances because even if your plan backfires, your self-esteem will not. As Harvard Professor Laurel Thatcher Ulrich puts it, “well behaved women seldom make history.”

Glass-ceiling is a manifestation of the constant struggle working women face in trying to fulfil their aspirations and achieve equal opportunities in our country. This artificial ‘wall’ must be broken if Pakistan is to prosper and keep its female population happy.

Pakistani women who have broken the glass • Naz Khan, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Engro Corp • Maheen Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IGI Funds • Ayesha Farooq, the first female fighter pilot in the history of the Pakistani airforce • Fariyha Subhani, Director Unilever Foods

SOME SURPRISING FACTS:

In the year 2000, the Fortune 500 companies had only 3 female CEOs which rose to 15 by 2009.

Last year, women constituted just 14.3% of executive positions in the Fortune 500.

UNESCO is the only branch of the United Nations to have appointed a woman as its Director General, i.e. Irina Bokova.

According to the World Economic Forum, not a single company listed on Japan’s Nikkei 225 (a stock market index for the Tokyo Stock Exchange) run by women while female participation in politics is also negligible.

4

Ms

en vogue

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 13, 2013

For Women

Who Love Colo

Add some colour to your life with these bold and bright new prints from Lala Textiles, perfect for the hot October days

Coordination: Ather Shehzad Brand: LaFemme Fabric: Lala Textiles Hair, Makeup & Styling: Shahzad Raza Photography: Ather Shehzad Model: Nadia Ali

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 13, 2013

ur

5

6

Ms

Do

unwind

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 13, 2013

Celebrate Eid by giving

With Eid just round the corner, everyone across Pakistan is getting their Eid spirit on with new outfits, snacks and of course, getting their kurbaani ke jaanwar ready.

In this hustle-bustle, we tend to forget that Eid is not just a celebration — it is also about giving. This Eid, make sure you share the love with the less fortunate by indulging in some charity. Remember, society works best when things, including money and resources flow naturally, so be generous with your Eidi to the needy.

Set out small portions of meat to distribute to the poor and give away some of your old things to domestic help instead of throwing them away. It is a celebration for everyone so help make it better for someone this year.

Read

My Yummy Mummy Guide (MYMG):

Hailing from the Kapoor family of Bollywood, Karisma Kapoor is no stranger to the spotlight but never before has she been the subject of a book. The leading lady of Bollywood in the 90s, Karisma has played many roles on and off screen. From successful actress to businesswoman, she has played it all but her favourite is being a mother and she is all set to share her experiences with the world. In her new book My Yummy Mummy Guide, Karisma speaks about every aspect of being a mother, such as shedding the pregnancy weight and disciplining children. Give this great guide a read for some excellent advice to help you right from the start of your first trimester to the end of your child’s last semester at school, including a range of topics from children’s fashion and finding the perfect nanny to how to throw the best birthday parties. Learning from the experiences of a Bollywood starlet makes the book all the more entertaining. MYMG is the new fun-filled best friend for all you new (or experienced) mothers out there. We guarantee you will love it!

See

Vampire Diaries, season 5

Ladies! We know it has been a long and painful summer without our weekly doses of the Salvatore brothers’ chiselled abs and sky blue eyes but fret no more! Everyone’s favourite vampire gang is back on air with the latest season of the Vampire Diaries and from the looks of it (read the looks of Damon and Stefan) it is going to be dynamite. Hence, we thought it would be a good time to refresh your memory. Spoiler alert: last season left us squirming at the edge of our seats as Elena shoved the ‘Cure’ into her evil doppelganger Katherine and the Original vampire Silas drowned sweet Stefan before revealing his villainous plans. This year takes us to the start of college for our beloved vampire gang and with countless plot twists and oodles of action and suspense, it will be epic. So make sure you take out an hour every Friday to pay good old Mystic Falls and its supernatural inhabitants a visit for the male eye candy it offers, if nothing else.

domestic goddess 7

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 13, 2013

Recipe

Chelo Kebabs

Tantalize your taste buds this Eid-ul-Adha with this quick and easy recipe for succulent kebabs with a Persian flavour. Chelo kebabs are the national dish of Iran and when served fresh off the stove with buttered rice and salad, they can liven up even the dullest of menus. Add to this a large jug of cold lassi and you have the perfect menu for your big Eid gathering. I guarantee your guests will be blown away.

Gulnaz Mondegarian is an expert in Iranian cuisine who has co-hosted Food Diaries alongside Zarnak Sidhwa to celebrate Community Food Week

Method • Set the egg aside to be used later.

• Add all the remaining ingredients in an electric food processor and mix thoroughly to form a paste.

• Add the egg to the paste and mix it in with a wooden spoon.

• Using your hands, shape the meat into long rolls as shown in the picture.

• Fry the kebabs in hot oil and serve with buttered rice and grilled tomatoes.

Ingredients:

Mutton or beef (minced) ½ kg

Garlic paste 1 tsp

Egg 1

Tomatoes (grilled) 3

Green chillies 3—4

Oil (as desired)

Cumin powder 1 tsp

Salt (to taste)

Ginger paste 1 tsp

Red chilli powder (optional) 1 tsp

Slice of bread (crushed) 1

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 13, 2013

hottie of the week 8

Status Born

Committed London, United Kingdom

Birthday

May 17th, 1991

Face

88%

Adil Omar

Body

85%

Who is he?

Every now and then, a star is born pre-destined for fame and fortune. Adil Omar is one of them. Always a musician at heart, Adil began writing his own songs at the age of nine and had already recorded his first song by the time he became a teenager, which he promoted via social networking websites across Pakistan. This was simply the beginning for him! Adil continued to garner a slow but steady fanbase with the title of the ‘Pakistani rapper,’ collaborating with various industry big-weights, both at home and abroad. Eventually, the 22-year-old hip hop prodigy went from an underground sensation to mainstream success in May 2013, with the release of his debut album ‘The Mushroom Cloud Effect’. His first single ‘Paki Rambo’ is already making waves, wherein he collaborated with popular American rapper Xzibit. Ever since then, Adil has been touring Dubai, Europe and America to cater to his international fanbase and shows no signs of slowing down now. In fact, the rapper has also begun writing, producing and composing songs for other Pakistani artists in an effort to improve the Pakistani music industry. There is simply no stopping this guy!

Talent

90%

Why we love him Adil’s tall, dark and handsome persona, coupled with his dark but witty sense of humour and rap prowess make him stand out from the crowd of and grasp our attention every time he graces our TV screens. Despite facing criticism, Adil does not back down, claiming that rapping and music give him peace of mind. He believes in making his life as rewarding and fulfilling as it can be and constantly strive to broaden his own horizons, gain knowledge and share it with the world.

What is truly remarkable about Adil is that contrary to the tough and bad boy image that rappers generally portray, he is a softie at heart. He loves the idea of love itself and how it enables individuals to connect with one another on a purely human level. On the other hand, he hates people who are disloyal and dishonest. All in all, Adil is one dapper young man, aiming destined for greatness in every aspect of life, be it music or otherwise.

What you didn’t know about him Adil was born with sound-to-colour synesthesia, a neurological condition which allow a person to see sounds as actual visual colours.

The universe has always fascinated Adil and always wanted to be an astronomer.

Adil has an uncanny ability to consume an entire carton of milk, all by himself and in one sitting.

Total Package

88%