ST ARTUPGUI DE I SSUE22
FI ZAFARHAN
BREAKI NGTHE GL ASSCEI LI NG
WOMENOFP AKI ST AN
MAKI NGAMARK
10TI PSFORFEMALES WHOWANTTOST ART ABUSI NESS
FOLLOW US
匀吀䄀刀吀唀倀 䜀唀䤀 䐀䔀
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猀 琀 愀 爀 琀 甀 瀀 最 甀 椀 搀攀 瀀 欀
匀 琀 愀 爀 琀 甀 瀀 ⴀ 最 甀 椀 搀攀 ⴀ 瀀 愀 欀 椀 猀 琀 愀 渀
EDI TOR’ SNOTE Th i sI n de pe n de n c eDa y , wec e l e br a t eP a k i s t a na n di t s e x t r a or di n a r ywome nf r omv a r i ou swa l k sofl i f e . Th e F ou n de rofP a k i s t a n , Qu a i de Az a ms a i d, “ Non a t i on c a ne v e rbewor t hyofi t se x i s t e n c et h a tc a n n ott a k e i t s wome n a l on gwi t ht h eme n . Nos t r u g g l ec a ne v e r s u c c e e dwi t h ou t wome n pa r t i c i pa t i n gs i debys i dewi t h me n . Th e r ea r et wopowe r si nt h ewor l d; on ei st h e s wor da n dt h eot h e ri st h epe n . ” F ort h i ss pe c i a l i s s u e , we ’ r ef e a t u r i n gF i z aF a r h a n , ar ol e mode l f ore v e r ywoma n . S h es pe a k sa bou th e rj ou r n e y , wome ne mpowe r me n t , br e a k i n gt h eg l a s sc e i l i n ga n d h e rph i l os ophyf ors u c c e s s–“ I don’ tk n owwh e r e I ’ l l be5or1 0y e a r sf r omn owbe c a u s eI l i k et ot a k e e v e r yda ya si tc ome s , I l i k et oma k et h emos tofe v e r y oppor t u n i t yt h a tc ome smywa ya n dt ok e e pe v ol v i n g , k e e pl e a r n i n g , k e e pt r y i n g , k e e pf a i l i n g , k e e pg e t t i n g u pa g a i n , l e a r n i n ga g a i na n dmov i n gf or wa r d. I t ’ sa c on t i n u ou smome n t u mI h a v ee v ol v e di nmypr of e s s i on a n dt h ewh ol eg r owt hh a sbe e nv e r yn a t u r a l . ” Wef e a t ur e16br i l l i a nte nt r e pr e ne ur s , a l l wome n– f r omdi v e r s ewa l k sofl i f e , r unni ngbus i ne s s e sf r om be a ut y , we l l ne s s , l i f e s t y l ea ndt e c hnol og yt of ooda nd mor e ! I fy ou ’ r eawoma nl ook i ngt os t a r tabus i ne s s , weoffe rt he10ul t i ma t et og e ty ous t a r t e dony our j our ne y . Ev e rwonde r e dt hewha tk i ndofaj our ne y y ourf a v or i t ef e ma l ei c onsha v eha d?Wer e c omme nd t het opdoc ume nt a r i e sy ous houl dn’ tmi s souton! Ha ppyRe a di ng !
SHEHABFARRUKH NI AZI
CONTENTS 05EDITOR’SNOTE 20W OMEN MAKING A MARK
0810TIPSFORFEMALE ENTREPRENEURS
28W ERECOMMEND 12FIZAFARHAN ON BREAKI NG THEGLASS CEI LI NG
FEATURI NG WOME NE CONOMI CE MPOWE RME NT
FI ZA FARHAN
16S UCCES S F ULF EMAL E ENTREPRENEURSOFP AKI S TAN
W OMEN MAKI NG A MARK
10Ti psf orFemal eEnt r epr eneur s
Ar eyouawomanl ooki ngt os t ar ta new bus i nes s ?W e’ ves ummedup al lyouneedt odot ogets t ar t ed andgetont r ackt owar dsgr owt h! Don’ tt hi nkof your s el fasa W oman Ent r epr eneur
1
“ [ My ]mos ti mpor t a ntpi e c eofa dv i c et o a n ywoma ni sdon’ tt hi nka bouty our s e l f j us ta sawoma n–y oua r enotj us ta woma n, y oua r eas t a r t upe nt r e pr e ne ur . Tha ts upe r s e de sa n yot he ri de nt i t yt ha t y ouha v e … Themi n ut ey ouputa not he r i de nt i t ya bov et ha ti tbe c ome sa l i mi t a t i onf ory our s e l f : l i mi t a t i oni ny our ownmi nds e t , a ndi ny ourown pe r c e pt i onofy oura bi l i t i e s . I f [ e nt r e pr e ne ur s hi p]i swha ty ouwa ntt o do, t hi nkofy our s e l ff i r s ta ndf or e mos ta s a ne nt r e pr e ne ur ; nota sy ourna t i ona l i t y , noty ourg e nde r , not hi ng … Bebr a v e . Go outt he r e . T a l kt ope opl e . Re a c houtt o pe opl eonL i nk e dI n. F i ndme nt or sf or y our s e l f . Whe r eIa mt oda yi sar e s ul tof j us tbe i ngr e a l l ya uda c i ousa ndv e r y s t ubbor n. F ormye a r l yi nt e r ns hi ps , Iwa s s e ndi ngc ompa ni e s20f a x e si nawe e k , a ndt he ywoul dg e ts oa nnoy e dt ha tt he y woul dc ont a c tmea nds a y , ‘ Wh ya r ey ou s e ndi nguss oma n yf a x e s ? ’ Iwoul ds a y , ‘ Be c a us eIwa ntt odoa ni nt e r ns hi pwi t h y oug uy s , ’ a ndt he ywoul dbel i k e‘ Al r i g ht , c omeov e rf ora ni nt e r v i e w; we ’ r es of e d upwi t ha l l t he s ef a x e s . ’ S oi fy ouwa nt s ome t hi ng , g of ori t . Don’ tbes h y . Don’ t bee mba r r a s s e d. Y oua r et ot a l l ye nt i t l e d t oi t . ”-S a r aMoha mma di , F ounde r , Ev e nt box
Choos et heRi ght Bus i nes s
2
I fy ouwa ntt os t a r tabus i ne s s , howdo y ouk nowi fi t ’ st her i g htone . I fy ouha v e abur ni ngde s i r et obe c omea n e nt r e pr e ne ur , y ouwi l l ne e dt ol a ya s t r ongf ounda t i on, whi c hi st hemos t c r uc i a l pa r t . De c i di ngwha tbus i ne s sy ou wa ntt obei ni st hemos ti mpor t a ntf i r s t que s t i on. The r ea r en ume r ousi de a sout t he r e , butwhi c hi st her i g htonef ory ou? S omeoft heque s t i onsy oune e dt o c ons i de rt ode t e r mi net hebus i ne s sy ou g oi nt oa r ea sf ol l ows : W hatar eyourSki l l s ? As ky our s e l fwha ty ours k i l l sa r ea nd wha ty ou’ r epa s s i ona t ea bout . Thi nk c a r e f ul l y–wha t e v e ry ours k i l l sa r e , y ou ne e dt oa ppl yt he m wi t hf ul l e ne r g ya nd y ous houl dbea bl et of oc usont hi ss k i l l f orma n yy e a r st oc ome . Behone s t–i f t hi ss k i l l i snots ome t hi ngt ha ty ous e e y our s e l fdoi ngf orma n yy e a r sa nda r e g oi ngt os t r ug g l et ur ni ngi ti nt oy our pa s s i on, y ouwi l l notbea bl et ot ur ni t i nt oas uc c e s s f ul bus i ne s smode l . Ma k e s ur et ha ty ouha v et her i g hts k i l l s e tf or t hei ndus t r yt ha ty ou’ r ec hoos i ngt og o i nt o, s ot ha ti ti snotdi f f i c ul tf ory ou. Wi l lyouri dear emai nr el evant ? I fy ouwa ntt obe c omeaf e ma l e e nt r e pr e ne ura ndk e e py ourbus i ne s s
ope nf ort hel ong t e r m, y ou’ l l ne e dt of i ndawa yt o de v e l opas t r a t e g yt ha twi l l k e e py oug oi ngf ory e a r s t oc ome . Y oune e dt os e ei ft hei ndus t r yy ou’ r e l ook i nga tha sas t r ongg r owt hr a t e . Wha ti st he c ons ume rbe ha v i or , howmuc hc ompe t i t i oni st he r e a nds oon. I st her eavi abl eni chei nt hemar ket ? I fy ouwa ntt os t a r tabus i ne s s , t hemos ti mpor t a nt a s pe c ti swhe t he rac e r t a i nni c heha sal a r g ee noug h ma r k e ti nor de rf ory out os t a r tabus i ne s sa ndha v e e noug hc us t ome r st obepr of i t a bl e . Canyouaf f or dt os t ar tabus i nes s ? ouma yha v et hes k i l l s e ta ndt hebus i ne s spl a na nd Y t het a r g e ta udi e nc et os t a r tabus i ne s s , buta n i mpor t a nta s pe c ti swhe t he ry ouha v et hef unds . I ti s af a c tt ha ti fy ouha v et hes k i l l sa ndt hepl a na nd e v e r y t hi nge l s e , butdon’ tha v et her e qui r e df unds , y ouwoul dnotbea bl et oe x e c ut ey ouri de aa nd t ur ni ti nt oabus i ne s s . Ev e ni fy oudon’ tha v ehi g h a mount soff undi ng , y ouc a ns t a r twi t ht hemi ni mum pos s i bl ea mount , de pe ndi ngony ouri ndus t r ya nd t he ny ouc a nboot s t r a py ourbus i ne s st or e i n v e s t t her e v e n uey ouk e e pma k i ng . I fy oudon’ tha v e a c c e s st ounl i mi t e df undi ng , boot s t r a ppi ngi st he r i g htwa yt og oa bouts t a r t i nga ndg r owi nga bus i ne s sc ons i s t e nt l y .
St ar twi t haPl an
3
Aswi t ha n ye nde a v ori nl i f e , put t i nga we l l t houg ht outpl a ni npl a c ei sc r uc i a l , whi c h s houl dbemor et ha nj us ta ni de a . As t e pb y s t e p pr oc e s smus tbel a i douti nor de rt os e ey our ov e r a l l s t r a t e g yt hr oug houte a c hmi l e s t onea c hi e v e d. Thi sc a n, a ndl i k e l ywi l l , howe v e r , c ha ng ea sy our bus i ne s sg r ows . Thek e yi sha v i ngal a r g e rs e tg oa l i n mi nda ndt a k i nge v e r ybus i ne s sde c i s i onma dei nt o c ons i de r a t i onwhe nt hi nk i ngoft ha tg oa l . L ooka t s omeoft he s et hi ng s : •F i ndi ngaT a r g e tAudi e nc e •Pl a nni ngy ourF i na nc e s
•Bus i ne s sNa me •Re g i s t r a t i ona ndL e g a l Re qui r e me nt s •Bui l di ngaT e a m
Net wor ki ng
4
Gr owt hc a nnotbea c hi e v e dwi t houtbui l di nga ne t wor kofc onne c t i ons . Thi si st r uef orbot h pr of e s s i ona l pa r t ne r sa ndc us t ome r s , a ndr e s ul t si n l e a dsf orne a r l ye v e r ya s pe c tofy ourbus i ne s s . F or e xa mpl e , pot e nt i a l i n v e s t or sorma r k e t i nga nd a dv e r t i s i nge xpe r t s . Noe nt r e pr e ne uri sa ni s l a nd, nordot he yha v et obe . T a py ourpr of e s s i ona l ne t wor kf orbot ha s s i s t a nc ea nde duc a t i on t hr oug houty oure nt r e pr e ne ur i a l j our ne y .
Bal anci ngW or kand Fami l y
5
F orf e ma l ee nt r e pr e ne ur s , ba l a nc i ngf a mi l yl i f ea nd bus i ne s si soneoft hebi g g e s tc ha l l e ng e s . Pr i or i t i z i ng y ourda i l yt a s k sf orf a mi l ya ndbus i ne s si sv e r y i mpor t a nt . I de nt i f ya r e a sofwor kwhe r ey ouc a n de s i g na t ea ndha v eaj uni ort e a m me mbe ror a not he re xpe r tdoat a s k , s ot ha ty ouc a nde di c a t e y oura t t e nt i ononl yt ot het a s k st ha tr e qui r ey our pe r s ona l a t t e nt i on.
Lear ni ngRes our ces
6
Asa ne nt r e pr e ne ur , e s pe c i a l l ya saf e ma l e e nt r e pr e ne ur , y oune e dt ober e a l l yde di c a t e dt o y ourl e a r ni nga ndde v e l opme ntt oups k i l l y our s e l f a ndk e e pe nha nc i ngy ours k i l l sa ndt a l e nt . L ooka ti t a sac ompe t i t i on–y oune e dt oc ons t a nt l yupda t e y ours k i l l st obea tpa rwi t hy ourc ount e r pa r t s , no ma t t e rwha tt he i rg e nde r .
Fundi ngRes our ces
7
Ge ne r a l e duc a t i ononi n v e s t i ng , f undi ng , a ndc a pi t a l i s e s s e nt i a l f orane wbus i ne s sowne r . Thef i r s ts t e pi s
10
unde r s t a ndi ngt he t y pe off undi ngy ourbus i ne s sne e ds ba s e donpr oj e c t i onsf i r s tc r e a t e di ny ourbus i ne s spl a n. F e ma l ef ounde r s , i npa r t i c ul a r , ha v el e s sa c c e s st ov e nt ur e c a pi t a l , unf or t una t e l y . Howe v e r , v e nt ur ef undi ngi snot a l wa y sane c e s s i t y . Expl or ea n ye xi s t i ngr e s our c e st ha t mi g htbea bl et oa s s i s ti ny ourf undi nge f f or t s . F ore xa mpl e , c onne c t i onswi t hi ny ourpr of e s s i ona l ne t wor k , bus i ne s s l oa nsorc r e di tc a r ds , a ndc r owdf undi ng .
Gr owt h
8
T os a yj us tonea s pe c tofs t a r t i ngabus i ne s si st hemos t i mpor t a ntwoul dbemi s l e a di ng . Howe v e r , t ha tbe i ngs a i d, hi r i nga ne f f e c t i v et e a m ofe mpl oy e e si s oneoft hemos t c r i t i c a l c ompone nt s . Me a s ur et hes t r e ng t hsa nd we a k ne s s e sofy our s e l fa swe l l a st hos es e e k i ng e mpl oy me nt . Adi v e r s et e a m ofmul t i t a l e nt e di ndi v i dua l si s t hepe r f e c tr e c i pef org r owt ha nds uc c e s swi t hi na c ompa n y . F orf e ma l ee nt r e pr e ne ur s , ag r owt hc e nt r i c mi nds e ti st hemos ti mpor t a ntt hi ng , whi c hwoul da c t ua l l y l e a dt obus i ne s sg r owt ht hr oug hde c i s i onst ha tc ont r i but e t owa r dst ha tg r owt h. “ Hi r ef r e e l a nc e r s … out s our c e . Al otofbus i ne s sowne r s t r yt odoe v e r y t hi ngt he ms e l v e s -i tdoe s n’ twor k . I t ’ snot g oi ngt os c a l e . Theonl ywa yt os c a l ei si fy ouhi r ee xpe r t s i ns pe c i f i cf i e l dsa ndy oug e tt he mt ohe l py ou. Byhi r i ng f r e e l a nc e r si the l psy oug e tg r e a tpe opl eonar e l a t i v e l y a f f or da bl er a t ev e r s use mpl oy i ngpe opl e , g e t t i nga nof f i c e , g e t t i ngv i s a sa nda l l t ha ts t uf f . S ohi r ef r e e l a nc e r sa nd c e . ”-L oul ouKha z e nBa z , f ounde r , Na bbe s h out s our
Conquer i ngt heFear ofFundi ng
9
Whe ni tc ome st og r owt ha ndf undi ng , t he ya c t ua l l yg o ha ndi nha nda nds t a r tf r om ag r owt hmi nds e t . Asa bus i ne s sowne r , i fy ouha v ede c i de dt ha ty ouwa ntt og r ow i nt oabi gbus i ne s s , y ouwi l l t a k ede c i s i ons , r e a c houtf or pa r t ne r s hi psa c c or di ng l ya ndul t i ma t e l ys e e koutf undi ng oppor t uni t i e st ha twoul dr e f l e c tt heg r owt hy ou’ r ehe a di ng t owa r ds . I n v e s t or sorf undi ngor g a ni z a t i onss e e kg r owt h a bov ee v e r y t hi nge l s ea ndt ha ti swhe r ef e ma l e owne d bus i ne s s e sa r ea tadi s a dv a nt a g e , whe r et he ya r enota bl e t or e f l e c tt heg r owt ha nddon’ tha v et her e r e qui s i t e sa sa bus i ne s sbe c a us et he y ’ r enota c t i v e l ys e e k i ngoutg r owt h.
Don’ tbeAf r ai d t oFai lBi g
Wh a t e v e ry oudo, a l wa y s t h i n kb i g . Th ek e yt o s u c c e s si s8 0 %i n mi n ds e ta n d2 0 %f r om t h es t r a t e g yy ouc a r v e ou ta sar e s u l tofa g ob i gmi n ds e t . I fy ou ’ r e t h i n k i n gb i g , y ouwi l l g o a h e a da n ds t r i v e t owa r dsf u l f i l l i n gy ou r g oa l sa c c or di n g l y . I fy ou g ob i g , y ouwi l l a l s of a i l b i g , b u tu l t i ma t ef a i l u r ei s on l ywh e ny oudon ’ t l e a r ny ou rl e s s on . E v e ni f y ouf a i l , g e tb a c ku p , t r y on emor et i me– t omor r owi sa n ot h e r da y !
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Fi zaFar han,i saPaki s t anbas edwomenent r epr eneurand dev el opmentexper t ,f eat ur edi nt heUSMagazi neFor bes“30 Under30Li s tofSoc i alEnt r epr eneur s ”f or2015andagai ni nFor bes As i aLi s tof“30Under30Soc i alEnt r epr eneur si n2016” .She r epr es ent sPaki s t anont heUni t edNat i on’ sSec r et ar yGener al ’ s f i r s tev erHi ghLev elPanelonWomenEc onomi cEmpower ment al ongwi t hgl oball eader s hi pi naddi t i ont obei ngt heChai r per s onof Chi efMi ni s t erPunj ab’ sTas kFor c eonWomenEmpower mentand memberoft heNat i onalSt eer i ngCommi t t eeonCl i mat eChange f orPaki s t an.Pr evi ous l y ,Fi zac of oundedandwast heCEO ofBuks h Foundat i onandDi r ec t orofBuks hEner gyPr i v at eLi mi t ed,bot h c ompani espi oneer i nguni queanddemandbas edmul t i s t akehol der s ol ut i onsi nt hedomai nsofgenderequal i t y ,i nc l us i v egr owt h, di gi t alf i nanc e,r enewabl eener gyandi mpac ti nv es t ment .I nJ ul y zaev ol v edherpr of es s i onalj our neyasanI ndependent 2016,Fi Advi s or / Cons ul t antonanat i onalandi nt er nat i onals c al ei ns ec t or s t hatal i gnwi t hheri nt er es tandexper t i s e,br oadeni ngherhor i z on ofi mpac tt owar dsmul t i pl es us t ai nabl edev el opmentgoal s( SDG’ s ) andc r eat i ngv al ueaddedpar t ner s hi psbet weent hepubl i c,pr i v at e anddev el opments ec t or s .Apar tf r om heri mpor t antr ol esof adv oc ac y ,Fi zac ont i nuest owearmul t i pl ehat st oi ns t i gat eac t i on t hr oughherdi v er s ec ons ul t anc yengagement swi t hgov er nment bodi es ,pr i v at es ec t orc ompani es ,t heUN agenc i esandot her dev el opmenti ns t i t ut i onsi nPaki s t anandi nt er nat i onal l y .Fi zai sa gr aduat eofLahor eUni v er s i t yofManagementSc i enc esandhasan MBA f r om W ar wi c kBus i nes sSc hool ,UK.
Youhav ebeenwor ki ngt owar dswomenempower mentf orqui t eaf ew y ear s . W hathasbeent hei ns pi r at i ont hatdr i v esy ou?
I h a v ebe e nwor k i n gonWome nEmpowe r me n tf orqu i t eaf ewy e a r sa n di tj u s tc a men a t u r a l l ywh e nI s t a r t e d wor k i n g , i mme di a t e l ya f t e rc omi n gba c kf r omWa r r i c kBu s i n e s sS c h ool a f t e rdoi n gmyMBA. I j u s twa n t e dt os e t u ps oc i a l e n t e r pr i s e st h a twou l dwor konr e s ol v i n gt h edev e l opme n tc h a l l e n g e si nP a k i s t a n . E c on omi cg r owt ha n d l a c kofa c c e s st oe n e r g ywe r es omeoft h ek e ydev e l opme n tc h a l l e n g e si nP a k i s t a na tt h a tt i mea n dwer e a l i z e dwe h a dt owor ki nt h er e n ewa bl ee n e r g ys pa c e . Th a t ’ swh e nI l a u n c h e dBa k h s hS ol a r , wh i c hwa sP a k i s t a n’ sf i r s ts ol a r I PPa n dt h e nBa k s hF ou n da t i on , wh i c hwa swor k i n gt owa r dst h e47%u n e l e c t r i f i e dof f g r i dP a k i s t a n . Wh e nwea c t u a l l ys t a r t e dg oi n gt ot h os eof f g r i dv i l l a g e sa n ds t a r t e di n t e r a c t i n gwi t ht h epe opl et h e r ea n dt h emor e wet h ou g h ta bou tt h ebe s ts ol u t i ont opr ov i det h e ma c c e s st oe n e r g y, i tj u s ts e e me dn a t u r a l f ormet owor ki t a r ou n damode l t h a tc r e a t e da na c c e s swi t hwome ne mpowe r me n t . Th a t ’ swhyI l a u n c h e dt h epr oj e c t‘ L i g h t i n ga Mi l l i onL i v e s ’ , wh i c hl a t e rbe c a mea ni n t e r n a t i on a l be s tpr a c t i c ec e r t i f i e db yt h eUN F ou n da t i ona n dt h eUN Ha bi t a t .
I tj u s ts e e me dn a t u r a l t oc r e a t et h a ta c c e s sbe t we e nwome ne mpowe r me n ta n da na c c e s st oe n e r g yby c r e a t i n gou rRa u s h n aBi bi s , ou rL i g h tL a di e s , wh owe r et h ee n t r e pr e n e u r spr ov i di n gl i g h ta sabu s i n e s s . S o, wh i l et h e ywe r ewor k i n gont h e i re mpowe r me n tt h r ou g ht h ee n t e r pr i s et h e yh a d, t h ebu s i n e s st h e y we r edoi n gwa st h a tofe n e r g y . I nl i g h tofa l l t h i s , I r e a l i z e dt h a ty our e a l l yn e e dt oe mpowe rwome nt oe mpowe rc ommu n i t i e s . Wet h e n s t a r t e dwor k i n gmor ea n dmor ef orwome n’ se c on omi ce mpowe r me n tt h r ou g hmi c r of i n a n c e , t h r ou g h e c on omi cl i v e l i h oodopt i on s , t h r ou g hh e a l t h c a r e . Gr a du a l l y , be i n gawoma nmy s e l f , I j u s tf e l l i nl ov ewi t h t h ei de aofe mpowe r i n gwome n , n otj u s ti nt h er u l eofv i l l a g e sbu ti nt h ec i t i e st oo, wome nwor k i n gi n t h epr i v a t es e c t or , wome na r ou n dt h ewor l d. Th a tl e dmet obe c omi n gt h ey ou n g e s tme mbe roft h e UNS e c r e t a r yGe n e r a l ’ sh i g h l e v e l pa n e l ofwome n’ se c on omi ce mpowe r me n t . Ra i s i n gmyv oi c ef or t h ewome na n dt h ey ou t hofP a k i s t a na l s og otmet obe c omet h ey ou n g e s ta dv i s ort oS h a h ba zS h a r i f a n dbe c omi n gac h a i r pe r s onf orh i st a s k f or c eonwome ne mpowe r me n t . Th a tl e dt omebe c omi n gt h e woma nI a mt oda y–awoma nwh oi sde t e r mi n e da n dc ommi t t e dt oe mpowe r i n gn oton l yh e r s e l f , bu t wome nf r oma l l pa r t sofs oc i e t y .
Si ncey ous t ar t edout ,y ourwor khasev ol v edt r emendous l y .How hast hej our ney been? I nde e d, s i nc eI s t a r t e doutmywor kha sev ol v e dt r e me ndous l y . Howha st hej our ne ybe e n?I t ’ sbe e n r e ma r k a bl e , i t ’ sbe e nf a nt a s t i c . I don’ tk nowwha tt hene x t15y e a r sofmyl i f ewi l l ha v epl a nne df orme . Thebe s tt hi ngI ha v edone i nt hi sev ol ut i oni st ha tI ha v enotpl a nne dmuc h. I s a yt hi sv e r ypr oudl y ; I a ma s hor t t e r mpl a nne ra ndnotal ong t e r mone . P e opl ea s kmewhe r eI s e emy s e l f5or10y e a r sf r omnowa nd mya ns we ri s , GodKnows ! I don ’ tk n owwh e r eI ’ l l be5or1 0y e a r sf r omn owbe c a u s eI l i k et ot a k ee v e r yda ya si tc ome s , I l i k et oma k e t h emos tofe v e r yoppor t u n i t yt h a tc ome smywa ya n dt ok e e pe v ol v i n g , k e e pl e a r n i n g , k e e pt r y i n g , k e e pf a i l i n g , k e e pg e t t i n gu pa g a i n , l e a r n i n ga g a i na n dmov i n gf or wa r d. I t ’ sac on t i n u ou smome n t u mI h a v ee v ol v e di nmy pr of e s s i ona n dt h ewh ol eg r owt hh a sbe e nv e r yn a t u r a l . I we n tt oL UMS , a f t e rt h a tI de c i de dI s t i l l n e e dt odo myMa s t e r si mme di a t e l ye v e nt h ou g hma n yofmyf r i e n dss t a r t e ddoi n gj obsi mme di a t e l y . Wh e nI c a meba c k , I k n e wI di dn ’ twa n tt odoaj ob–I wa n t e dt os e tu pas oc i a l e n t e r pr i s eofmyown , ac ompa n yt h r ou g hwh i c hI c ou l dh e l pwi t ht h ede v e l opme n tc h a l l e n g e sofP a k i s t a n . Th a t ’ sh owt h eBa k h s hF ou n da t i ona n dBa k h s hE n e r g y c a mea bou t . F r omt h a tpoi n t , e v e r y t h i n gwel a u n c h e d, e v e r yi n n ov a t i on , e v e r ypr oj e c twa su n i qu eoni t sown . I twa san e wi de a , s ome t h i n gt h a th a dn otbe e ndon e , ort r i e da n dt e s t e dbe f or e . Myt e a mus e dt ot e l l mea l l t het i met ha t‘ nooneha st r i e dt hi sbe f or e ’ a ndI us e dt os a y , ‘ we l l , t ha ti se x a c t l y whywea r edoi ngi t ’ . S o, c ont i nuousc ha l l e ng e s , c ont i nuousoppor t uni t i e sa ndde t e r mi na t i ont ok e e p g oi ngona ndt ok e e ps e e k i ngmor eha sbe e nmymot t o. Whe nI be c a mea na dv i s ort ot heUN S e c r e t a r y Ge ne r a l a ndt oS ha hba zS ha r i fi n2016, I r e a l i z e dt ha tt he r e ’ sal otmor eI c oul ddo. I doal otofs e l f a na l y s i s a nds e l f que s t i oni ng-ev a l ua t i ngmypot e nt i a l a tev e r ys t e pa ndque s t i oni ngmy s e l fa f t e rev e r y6mont hs r e g a r di ngwhe r eI s t a nd, howf a rI ’ v ec ome , howf a rI c a ng o, wha ta r emys t r e ng t hsa ndwe a k ne s s e s . I f e e l ompe t i t i oni swi t hmy s e l fa ndnoonee l s e . S o, I k e e pa s k i ngmy s e l fhowc a nI g e tbe t t e r , howc a nI g o, myc wha tc a nI dodi f f e r e nt l y .
Whe nI a s k e dmy s e l ft hi si nJ ul y2016, t hea ns we rwa st ha tI ne e de dt ol e tg oofmyf ounda t i ons , myt wo c ompa ni e sa ndI ne e de dt oev ol v eonana t i ona l a ndg l oba l l ev e l . I ne e de dt oma k es ur et ha tI wa snot r e s t r i c t i ngmyhor i z onsofi mpa c t . Tha t ’ swhyI be c a mea ni nde pe nde ntg l oba l a dv i s ora ndnowI wor k wi t hdi f f e r e ntg ov e r nme nt s , di f f e r e ntUN a g e nc i e s , v a r i ousdev e l opme nta g e nc i e s , a ndt hepr i v a t es e c t or onmul t i pl ei s s ue s . I t ’ snotj us twome ne mpowe r me nta n y mor e ; i t ’ sc l i ma t ec ha ng e , s us t a i na bl ee ne r g y , y out h, e c onomi ce mpowe r me nt , pa r t ne r s hi ps , di g i t a l oppor t uni t i e si nt hepos tCOVI D19wor l d. Thi s r ydi v e r s es t a k e hol de rc onne c t i v i t y , wor k i ngondi v e r s epr oj e c t s , notonl yk e e psmec ha l l e ng e da nd v e k e e pst hef i r ef ue l e dup , buti ta l s ok e e psg i v i ngmeoppor t uni t i e st og r owa ndt oev ol v e . Af t e rev e r y2 or3mont hs , I s i tba c ka ndr e f l e c tonhowf a rI ’ v ec ome , wha tI ’ v el e a r ne d, howI c a ng r owf ur t he ra nd whi c ha r e a sne e dmor ewor k . I t h i n ki t ’ sv e r yi mpor t a n tt ok e e py ou rj ou r n e ye v ol v i n g . I fy ou rj ou r n e yofl i f ebe c ome ss t a g n a n t , pe r s on a l l y orpr of e s s i on a l l y , i ts h ou l dr e a l l yh i ty ouh a r d–y oun e e dt ok e e pg r owi n gt ok e e pmov i n g . Th e s epr i n c i pl e s h a v el a i dou tag oodt r a j e c t or yf ormei nt h el a s t1 5pl u sy e a r s . Wi t ht h e s es a mepr i n c i pl e sa n dph i l os ophy , I r e a l l yl ookf or wa r dt owh a tt h ef u t u r eh ol dsf orme . S o, l e t ’ ss e ewh e r eI g o. I ny ourexper i ence,whatar et hemos tpr omi nentar eas wher ewomens t r uggl e? F orme , t h es t r u g g l e sofwoma n h ooda r ev e r ydi v e r s e , a n dt h e y r a n g ef orv a r i ou ss e c t or sofwome n . Th ewoma ni nt h er u r a l a r e a swor k i n gi nt h ef i e l dh a sav e r ydi f f e r e n ts e tofpr obl e ms t h a nawoma nwor k i n gi nt h epr i v a t es e c t or . Awoma nwh o g r a du a t e dwi t hadi s t i n c t i on , bu ti sn owah ou s e wi f ea f t e rl e t t i n g g oofh e rdr e a msh a sv e r ydi f f e r e n tpr obl e mst h a nawoma nwh o i ss t r ug g l i ngt og e tt ot het opoft hel a dde r . F ort ha t , s heha dt o l e tg oofhe rf a mi l yorhe rc hi l dr e nbe c a us es heha dt oma k ea c hoi c e . Wome nha v ev e r ydi v e r s epr obl e ms , a sI s a i d, a ndI t h i n kt h emos tpr omi n e n ton e sa r eme n t a l pr obl e ms–t h eon e s e n g r a v e di nou rs oc i e t y , t h es t e r e ot y pe s , t h epr e c on c e i v e d n ot i on s , wh i c ha r es e tf orbot hme na n dwome na l i k e . I ’ mn ot s a y i ngg e nde rr ol e s ; g e nde rr ol e sa r ei mpor t a nt . The ya r et o unde r s t a ndwhe r ema l e sa ndf e ma l e swi l l c oe x i s ti nna t ur e , butt hepr e c onc e i v e dnot i ons , t ha tawoma nha st odot he hous ewor k , s hec a n’ twor kout s i de ; ort ha tawoma nc a n’ tdo t hi ss pe c i f i ct a s korawor kama nwi l l dobe t t e rt ha nawoma n s ohes houl dbepa i dmor e . I t ’ snotonl ya boutwha tme nha v e ; i t ’ sa l s owha twome nha v ewi t hi nt he ma swe l l . Tha t ’ swhy t he yha v ei nbor nf e a r st ha tt he ywon’ tbea bl et odot hi s , t he y won’ tbea bl et og e tt ot het op , t he ywon’ tbea bl et of i g htt he s t r ug g l e , t ha tt he ys houl dj us ts i ti ns i det hehous e , t he ys houl d dowha tt he ya r e‘ s uppos e d’ t odo. Whode f i ne swha tonei s s uppos e dt odo? The s epr e de f i ne dr ol e s , s t e r e ot y pe sa ndt a boosi nours oc i e t y a r ewha tI t hi nkt hebi g g e s thur dl e st og e nde re qua l i t y . I t ’ snot j us tme nwhoc omeoutwi t hr e s t r i c t i v el i mi t i ngbe ha v i or s , but
wome na l s oi mbe dt h e s et h ou g h t swi t h i nt h e ms e l v e ss ode e pl yt h a tt h e yh a v eaf e a rwi t h i nt h e ms e l v e s . Th e i rs e l f c on f i de n c e , s e l f e s t e e m, s e l f wor t ha n ds e l f r e s pe c ti sf i n i s h e d. I k n ows oma n ywome nwh oa r e l i v i n gt h el i v e st h e ywou l dn e v e rh a v ewa n t e dt ol i v e , s oma n ydr e a msbu twh a tc a nbedon en ow?Th e t i meh a sg on e ; t h e ya r eamot h e r , awi f e , ada u g h t e ri nl a wn ow, bu tI s a yt h a twhyc a n ’ ti th a ppe nn ow? Youh a v eon l yon el i f et ol i v e . Wi t h i nt h i son el i f e , y ouh a v edi f f e r e n tr ol e st opl a y–be i n gada u g h t e r , a da u g h t e ri nl a w, awi f eoramot h e ri sapa r tofy ou ri de n t i t y , i t ’ sn oty ou re n t i r ei de n t i t y . I h a v el i v e dt h i sr e a l i t ya n dh a v ebr ok e nal otofg l a s sc e i l i n g st og e twh e r eI a mt oda y . Th emor ewome n I me e ta r ou n dt h ewor l d, I r e a l i z ei t ’ sn otj u s tapr obl e mofP a k i s t a n , i t ’ sag l oba l i s s u e . Wome ni nt h e We s ta l s oh a v es i mi l a rpr obl e msa st h ewome ni nt h eE a s ti nt e r msoft h e pr e c on c e i v e dt a boosa n d s oc i e t a l i s s u e s . F ore x a mpl e , wh e nwome na r ede t e r mi n e dt oma k ei ti nt h e i rc a r e e r ; wh e nt h e ydon ’ tl e t a n y t h i n gbl oc kt h e i rpa t ht oa c h i e v es u c c e s s , t h e ya r et ol dt oma k eac h oi c e . I wa st ol dma n yt i me sbe f or e I g otma r r i e dt h a ti fI wa st a k i n gmyc a r e e rs e r i ou s l y , t h e nI s h ou l df or g e ta bou te v e rg e t t i n gma r r i e da n d gdown . Why ?I a mh a ppi l yma r r i e dn ow. Wh e nI di d, pe opl es a i d, ohwa i tt i l l y ouh a v ec h i l dr e n . s e t t l i n I tc a ne i t h e rbey ou rc h i l dr e nory ou rwor k , y ouc a n ’ th a v ebot h . I h a v eabe a u t i f u l ba b yda u g h t e ra n d I s t a r t e don emon t ha f t e rs h ewa sbor nbe c a u s et h a t ’ swh a tI a m. Be i n gamot h e rh a sbr ou g h tav e r y i mpor t a n tr ol ei nmyl i f e , bu ti ti s n ’ te n t i r e l ywh a tde f i n e sF i z aF a r h a n . F i z ai samot h e r , awi f e , ada u g h t e r , s h e ’ sas i s t e r , af r i e n d, at r a v e l e ra n dy e t , s h e ’ st h epr of e s s i on a l s h eh a sa l wa y swa n t e dt obe . Wha twet e a c hourda ug ht e r sa nds ons , t hepi l l a r swee ng r a v es i nc ec hi l dhoodt ha tme na ndwome n ha v et odot he i rownc e r t a i nt a s k sa ndc a n’ tbeonea twor k , t he s ea r et hema i nme nt a l ba r r i e r sa nd bl oc k st ha tl e a dt ot hec ha l l e ng e st ha twome ne x pe r i e nc ea r oundt he ms e l v e s , a st he yg r owi nt he i r pr of e s s i ona l c a r e e r sa ndl i v e s . I ti snotj us tapr obl e moft heme n, buta l s oof t hewome nbe c a us et hi s l e a dst oi nhi bi t i ons , t of e a r sa ndt ol os sofs e l f c onf i de nc ewhi c hnev e rg i v e st he mt heboos tt he y de s i r et oa c hi ev es ome t hi ngi nl i f e . F orme , t hec ul t ur a l nor msa nds t e r e ot y pe s , t hei nhi bi t i onsa r e oneoft hemos tpr omi ne ntc ha l l e ng e st ha twome ns t r ug g l ewi t ht hr oug houtt he i rl i v e spe r s ona l l ya nd pr of e s s i ona l l y .
Womenf ac eanumberofc hal l engeswheni tc omest oc apac i t ybui l di ngands t ar t i ng bus i nes s es .I ny ouropi ni on,whatc anbet hewa yf or war dt or es ol v et hes ei s s ues ?
Wome nc e r t a i n l yf a c eal otofc h a l l e n g e swh e ni tc ome st oc a pa c i t ybu i l di n ga n dwh e ns t a r t i n gabu s i n e s s , t h e yn e e dal otofs u ppor ti n c l u di n gl e g a l s u ppor t , i n f r a s t r u c t u r es u ppor t , s u ppl yc h a i ns u ppor t , t a x a t i on i s s u e se t c . Ba s i c a l l y , wer e a l i z e dwi t hou rwor kwi t ht h eUN h i g hl e v e l pa n e l a n dwor kwi t hS h a h ba zS h a r i f t h a tmov i n gf or wa r d, on ewa yi st h r ou g he mpl oy me n t , bu ton ev e r yi mpor t a n twa yt h a twou l ddi r e c t l y h i tou re c on omi cGDPi st h r ou g he n t r e pr e n e u r s h i p . Th e r ea r el ot sofwome nou tt h e r ewi t hg r e a ta n d i n n ov a t i v ebu s i n e s si de a sa n ds k i l l sa n dt h e ye n du pdoi n gwome npopu ps h ops , wome nbou t i qu e s , e x h i bi t i on s , on l i n es t or e se t c . wh i c hk i n doff i z z l eou t . Th e r ei sn os e r i ou se c on omi cc a s ebe h i n di t ; v e r y f e wwome nt a k ei tt obe c omi n gabu s i n e s se n t i t ya n dc r e a t i n gs u c c e s ss t or i e s . Why ?Be c a u s et h e yn e e da l otofs u ppor twh e ni tc ome st ol e g a l i t i e s , i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , t a x a t i on s , s u ppl yc h a i n , t r a n s por t a t i on s , l og i s t i c s
a n da l l . Wer e a l i z e dt h a tt h ei de a l s ol u t i onf orawa yf or wa r dwa st oc r e a t ef e ma l e e n t r e pr e n e u r c e n t r i ci n c u ba t i onc e n t e r s . Wewe r ewor k i n goni twi t ht h ePu n j a b g ov e r n me n ta n dn owwi t hNa t i on a l I n c u ba t i onCe n t e r sa swe l l . I a ma l s oi nt h epr oc e s s ofl a u n c h i n gawome ne n t r e pr e n e u rf u n dwi t hi nv e s t me n tpa r t n e r si nDu ba i –I wi l l di s c l os et h ede t a i l si nt h en e x tf e wmon t h s . Ba s i c a l l y , wen e e dt opr ov i dewome nwi t h aon e s t ops t ops h opwh e r et h e yh a v ea c c e s st of i n a n c e , c a pa c i t ybu i l di n g , t a x a t i on s u ppor t , l e g a l s u ppor t , a dmi n i s t r a t i v ea n dl og i s t i c ss u ppor te t c . , wh e r et h e yc a nc ome i nwi t ht h e i rbr i l l i a n ti de a sa n dg e ti n c u ba t e dt ot r a n s f or mt h e mi n t os u c c e s s f u l bu s i n e s s mode l st h a ta r ei nv e s t me n tf r i e n dl ya n da r es e l l a bl et oi nv e s t or s . I t ’ sl i k eaS h a r kTa n k f orf e ma l ee n t r e pr e n e u r ss pe c i f i c a l l y . Be l i e v eme , t h er e t u r n sa n ddi v i de n dsofs u c h bu s i n e s s e sa r eg oi n gt obeh u g ebe c a u s ei n v e s t i n gi nwome ni sn otj u s tt h er i g h tt h i n gt o do , i t ’ st h es ma r tt h i n gt odo . I t ’ sn otj u s tas oc i a l de c i s i on , y ou ’ r en otj u s twor k i n gona s oc i a l org oodc a u s e , i t ’ sa c t u a l l yt h er i g h tt h i n gt odof orbu s i n e s s , i t ’ sa ne c on omi cc a u s e . Mc Ki n s e yr e c e n t l yc a meu pwi t haGe n de rP a r i t yr e por t , wh i c hc l e a r l ys t a t e dt h a t a mon g s tF or t u n e500c ompa n i e s , t h eon e st h a ti nv e s t e dmor ei nf e ma l e sa n dh a d mor ewome na tt h et opoft h epy r a mi dsa sboa r dme mbe r s , i ns e n i orma n a g e me n t a n dl e a de r s h i p pos i t i on s , ou t pe r f or me dc ompa n i e st h a tdi dn otby26%. S o, i t ’ sj u s ta n obr a i n e r ; wen e e dt oe mpowe rou rwome nf ors u s t a i n a bl ee c on omi c a l l ypr og r e s s i v e g r owi n gs oc i e t i e s . I t h i n kt h es ol u t i on sf ore mpowe r i n gwome ni ne n t r e pr e n e u r s h i p a n ds t a r t i n gs ma l l bu s i n e s s e si sde f i n i t e l yt h i son e -s t ops h opi de a ; t og i v et h e ma360 de g r e et u r nk e ys ol u t i onf ort r a n s f or mi n gt h e i rf a n t a s t i ci n n ov a t i v ei de a si n t oi nv e s t a bl e a n ds u c c e s s f u l bu s i n e s smode l s .
W hatar et hepr oj ec t sy ou’ r ec ur r ent l ywor ki ngonandwhat ’ st hewa yf or war df or y ou?
Cu r r e n t l y , s i n c eI we n tof font h i sf r e e l a n c i n gi n de pe n de n th or i z ons i n c eJ u l y2016, I ’ v ebe e nwor k i n ga saGl oba l s t r a t e g i cdev e l opme n ta dv i s or . S o, wh a tI doi sI pr i ma r i l ywor kwi t hmu l t i pl es t a k e h ol de r s . I don’ twa n tt ol i mi t my s e l ft oa n ypa r t i c u l a rs t a k e h ol de roron epa r t i c u l a ri s s u e ; I l e f tmyt woc ompa n i e sbe c a u s eI wa n t e dt obr oa de n myh or i z onofi mpa c t . I j u s twa n t e dt oe x pl or ea n dk i n dofn otj u s tt e s tmyownpot e n t i a l , bu tt e s twh a tk i n dof i mpa c tI c ou l dc r e a t ei nmu l t i pl ea r e a s , mu l t i pl edev e l opme n tc h a l l e n g e sa n dl e a r na n dev ol v ea sa ni n di v i du a l . S o, c u r r e n t l yI wor kwi t hdi f f e r e n tg ov e r n me n t s , n a t i on a l , pr ov i n c i a l a n di n t e r n a t i on a l a swe l l . I ’ v el a u n c h e dapr oj e c t wi t ht h eAu s t r a l i a ng ov e r n me n t ; I wor kwi t hdi f f e r e n tUN a g e n c i e s , dev e l opme n ta g e n c i e s , l i k eOXF AM, I wor k wi t ht h epr i v a t es e c t ora swe l l l i k et h eDa woodHe r c u l e sGr ou pa sa na dv i s or . I a l s owor kwi t hc i v i l s oc i e t yon mu l t i pl epr oj e c t sf r omwome ne mpowe r me n tt oc l i ma t i cc h a n g e , s u s t a i n a bi l i t y , i n c l u s i v eg r owt h , y ou t ha n dmos t i mpor t a n t l yonpa r t n e r s h i ps . I t h i n kt h a tj u s tbe c a meav e r yi mpor t a n tt e r r a i nf ormebe c a u s ewe ’ v ea l l r e a l i z e d t h a tt h eS DG’ sort h edev e l opme n ta g e n da sc a n n otbea c h i ev e di ns i l os . Al otoft h ewor kI a mdoi n gn owi sonmu l t i s e c t or a l pa r t n e r s h i pst h a th a v ewi n wi nbu s i n e s smode l sf ore v e r y body . I a ma l s owor k i n gonat e c h ba s e ds t a r t u pa ddr e s s i n gt h ev e r yi mpor t a n ti s s u eofmobi l i t y , s ol e t ’ ss e eh owt h a t
c ome sa bout . I j us tk e e pt e s t i ngmy s e l fa nde x pl or i ngnewoppor t uni t i e sa nd newg e og r a phi e s . I ’ ma l s ol ook i ngt oc ol l a bor a t ewi t hs omepa r t ne r si nt he UAEt owor koni mpor t a nti s s ue sonwome n’ se c onomi ce mpowe r me nta nd s us t a i na bl eg r owt hov e rt he r ea ndI ’ mv e r ye x c i t e da boutt ha t . Th e r ei sal otofg oodwor kt h a tc a nh a ppe ni nUAEbe c a u s eoft h e oppor t u n i t i e st h e r e . I j u s tk e e pe v ol v i n gmy s e l f ; I a l s oa l wa y sk e e pmyg l a s s 3 0 %e mpt ya ta l l t i me s . S o, c u r r e n t l yI ’ mwe a r i n g8di f f e r e n th a t s . E v e r y pr oj e c ta n dc l i e n tbe c ome sadi f f e r e n th a tf orme , bu twi t ht h a tI k e e pmyg l a s s 3 0 %e mpt ybe c a u s eI wa n tt ok e e pe x pl or i n ga n dc h a l l e n g i n gmy s e l f . I wa n tt o k e e pdi s c u s s i n gn e wi de a s , I wa n tt ok e e pi de n t i f y i n gn e woppor t u n i t i e s . I wa n t t ok e e pg r owi n ga n da sac ommi t me n tt omy s e l f , t oP a k i s t a n , t owome na n d t h ey ou n gpe opl eou tt h e r e , I h a v ec ommi t t e d2 0 %ofmyt i met oa dv oc a c y a n d8 0 %ofmyt i met oa c t i on s . S o, mya dv i s or ywor k , a l l t h epr of e s s i on a l e n g a g e me n t st a k eu p8 0 %ofmyt i mewh i l e2 0 %ofi ti sf ora dv oc a c y , f or r a i s i n ga wa r e n e s sa bou ti mpor t a n ti s s u e s , a bou tg r owi n ga r ou n dt h ewor l d a n dr e pr e s e n t i n gt h ev oi c eofwome na n dy ou t hi nP a k i s t a n . I t ’ sa bou tg oi n gt o u n i v e r s i t i e s , t a l k i n gt os t u de n t s , i n s pi r i n gt h e mwi t hmot i v a t i on a l s pe e c h e s . I ’ v el e a r n e di nl i f et h a tme n t or i n gi se x t r e me l yi mpor t a n t ; wh a twemi s s e d ou tdu r i n gmyu n i v e r s i t yy e a r swa sme n t or s h i p . I fweg e tt h er i g h tk i n dof me n t or s h i pa n di fwec a nme n t ora n di n s pi r eou ry ou n gg e n e r a t i on , wedon ’ t n e e dt or e i n v e n tt h ewh e e l . I fwepa s sons ome t h i n gt h a twe ’ v el e a r n e dov e r 1 0 , 1 5 , 2 0oddy e a r sb ybr e a k i n gmu l t i pl eg l a s sc e i l i n g s , f a l l i n gdowna n dg e t t i n g u ps oma n yt i me s , t h e nt h e ydon ’ th a v et or e i n v e n tt h ewh e e l ; t h e yc a nl e a r n f r omou rmi s t a k e sa n dg r owe v e nf a s t e r . S o, I dos pe n ds omet i meme n t or i n g a n dondoi n gi n s pi r a t i on a l s e s s i on s , n otj u s ti nP a k i s t a nbu ti n t e r n a t i on a l l ya s we l l be c a u s eI r e a l l ybe l i e v ey oun e e dt og i v eba c kt ot h ec ommu n i t yb ys h a r i n g y ou re x pe r i e n c e sa n dr a i s i n ga wa r e n e s s , b ys h a r i n gy ou rs t or ya n dt h a ti swhyI h a v eapu bl i cF a c e bookpa g ea swe l l , wh e r epe opl ec a nc omea n dt a l kt ome . I g e ts oma n yme s s a g e sf r omy oungg i r l sa ndboy s , f r ome nt r e pr e ne ur sa nd s t r i v i nge nt r e pr e ne ur sa ndt hi sg i v e smeal otofe nc our a g e me ntbe c a us emy mi s s i oni st ode f i ni t e l ya c hi ev eal otofpr of e s s i ona l s uc c e s s , butbydoi ngt he wor kt ha ti mpa c t shundr e dsa ndt hous a ndsofpe opl ea r oundt hewor l ds o t ha twhe nI r e t i r ea ndl ookba c k , I s e eat r a j e c t or yt ha tI a mpr oudof , t ha t P a k i s t a ni spr oudof , mypa r e nt sa r epr oudofa nda n yP a k i s t a ni woma ni s pr oudof . S o, l e t ’ ss e ewhe r et hi sj our ne yt a k e smebe c a us eI hone s t l ydon’ t r eI ’ mhe a de d. k nowwhe
W OMEN MAKI NG A MARK
16
MEET SUCCESSFULFEMALE STAN ENTREPRENEURSOFPAKI Si dr aQas i m,Mar khor
Ma r k h or , f ou n de db yS i dr aQa s i ma n d Wa q a sAl i , s t a r t e dof fwi t ht h ei de at h a t b e s tp r odu c t sa r ema dewi t hp a s s i on a n di n v e s t i n gma n yh ou r soft ou g hl a b or a n da t t e n t i on . Th edu ou s e ddi g i t a l me di a t ob r i n gh a n dc r a f t e ds h oe s , ma deb y l oc a l p e op l et oi n t e r n a t i on a l ma r k e t s on c et h e yl e a r n e dt h a th u g eb r a n ds wor k e dwi t ht h e s ec r a f t s me nf r om c ou n t r i e sl i k ePa k i s t a n , I n di aa n d Vi e t n a m, b u tdon otg e tt h er e c og n i t i on t h e yde s e r v e . Th et e a m wor k sdi r e c t l y wi t hs omeoft h emos ts k i l l e dc r a f t s me n i nt h ewor l dt oma k emode r nde s i g na n d b e a u t i f u l p r odu c t s .
Pa i mona , de r i v e df r om t heDa r i l a ng ua g e , e v ol v e st os y mbol i z et het r a ns i t i onofour de e pr oot e dhe r i t a g ei nt omode r ni t y . The br a ndc a met ol i f ewhe ni t sf ounde r , S a na Kha nNi a z i , e mba r k e donas e a r c hf or Pa k i s t a n’ sa r t i s a nswhowe r enotonl y we l l v e r s e dwi t hi t shi s t or ybutc oul da l s o e mbodyt hec ount r y ’ sr i c hhe r i t a g ei n t he i rwor k . S a na , wi t hhe rbr a nd, s t a nds f orc r e a t i ngha ndc r a f t e d, e t he r e a l a nd t i me l e s sf ur ni t ur epi e c e st ha tc a nl e nd uns ha k a bl ebe a ut ya nde l e g a nc et oa n y l i v i ngs pa c e . The ya r eape r f e c tbl e ndof mode r na e s t he t i c sa ndc ul t ur a l r e l e v a nc e .
SanaKhanNi azi Pai mona
AmnehShai khFar ooqui , Pol l y& Ot herSt or i es P ol l y&Ot he rS t or i e ss e e k st o r e v ol ut i oni z eonl i nes a l e si nPa k i s t a n b ybr i ng i nghuma ni de a l sba c ki nt o r e t a i l . Thec of ounde r , Amne hS ha i k h F a r ooqui , doe st hi sb yi nt e g r a t i ng i nnov a t i v ede s i g nsa ndpr oduc t s wi t ht hei ns pi r i ngs t or i e soft he pe opl et ha tma k et he m. The i r e s t or ei sbui l ta r oundt hec onc e pt t ha tc ons ume r swa ntt ok nowt he ma k e r sa ndna r r a t i v e sbe hi nd pr oduc t s . Amne hi spa s s i ona t e a boutt hepowe rof e nt r e pr e ne ur s hi pa nds ma l l bus i ne s s a ndi t sa bi l i t yt oa f f e c tr e a l c ha ng ei n t hel i v e sofpe opl e .
Ni mr aQazi ,Ti mel i neDes i gns Ni mr aQa z i i st hePr i nc i pl ea r c hi t e c tbe hi ndTi me l i neDe s i g ns , t ha ta i mst oa c t ua l i z ec r e a t i v ei de a st hr oug hs i mpl e , i nnov a t i v e a ndc ons t r uc t i v ede s i g ns ol ut i onswhi l s tk e e pi ngt hene e dsf or t he i rc l i e nt sa tt hef or e f r ont . S hebe l i e v e si nt hepowe rofde s i g n t os t i mul a t et hehuma ne xpe r i e nc e . He rc ompa n yopt sf ora de l i c a t eba l a nc ebe t we e nt hea r t i s t i ca ndf unc t i ona l r e a l m, whi l e c ons c i ous l yc ons i de r i nge c of r i e ndl yde s i g nsa nds us t a i na bl e s ol ut i ons .
Neel of erKhan NohaGl obal NohaGl oba l wor k st ohe l pi n t hec r e a t i onofapl a c ewhe r e f a c i l i t i e sa ndg r oundsa r e a e s t he t i c a l l ypl e a s i nga ndt o pr ov i deh y g i e ni ca nds a f e wor k pl a c ee n v i r onme nt . Thi s a ppl i e st oi t sa c t i v i t i e si n Pa k i s t a na ndpa r t i c ul a r l yf ori t s c l i e nt sa ndc ommi t me nt s e v e r y whe r e . Thef ounde r , Ne e l of e rKha n, wa nt st o e na bl ea nde mpowe rl oc a l c ommuni t i e st of ul f i l c or por a t es oc i a l r e s pons i bi l i t y . S hes t a r t e dt hec ompa n yf r om z e r oa nd, be i ngaf e ma l e e nt r e pr e ne ur ,f a c e dma n y c ha l l e ng e st oi ni t i a t eag r e a t pr oj e c twi t houtha v i ng a de qua t er e s our c e s . Howe v e r , Nohai sde di c a t e dt oi t sl ong t e r mg oa l sa ndv i s i onof i mpr ov i ngf a c i l i t yma na g e me nt s e r v i c e si nPa k i s t a n.
Abi daTal pur Sar angSi ndhiCui s i ne Ab i daT a l pu ri saS i ndh i woma n e nt r e pr e n e ur , whoi n i t i a t e dt heS a r a n g S i n dhi Cui s i ne , awome n l e d e n t e r p r i s ei nt hehos pi t a l i t ys e c t or . Ab i daT a l p urmov e dt oI s l a ma b a d a l ongwi t hhe rh us ba nda n dob s e r v e d t h a twome ni nur ba na r e a sa r e e n g a g e di nmu l t i pl ee c onomi c a c t i v i t i e s . Th i se n c ou r a g e dhe rt os t a r t h e rownb us i n e s s ; e l i mi n a t i n gp ov e r t y ofhe ri mme di a t ef a mi l y , e s p e c i a l l y wome n , wa she rmot i v a t i ngf a c t or be h i ndaf e ma l e l e de n t e r pr i s e . S a r a ng S i n dh i Cui s i n ea i mst oc r e a t edi g ni f i e d j obsf orr u r a l wome na n dy out h , s ha r e be ne f i t se ma n a t i ngf r om t h eb us i ne s s a mongwor k e r st hr oug hwa g e s , a c c ommoda t i ons , t r a v e l c os t , h e a l t h a ndf ood.
Mahbi naW aheed Cl aywor ks
Ma hbi naWa he e df ounde dt hi sc e r a mi c sbus i ne s s , Cl a y wor k s , i n1999, whi c hc r e a t e sc ol or f ul c ont e mpor a r ypot t e r y . Be y onda c hi e v i ngs uc c e s s e sa s abus i ne s s , Cl a y wor k sha spr ov i de dj obt r a i ni nga nd e mpl oy me ntoppor t uni t i e s , e s pe c i a l l yf orwome n, t ha t mi g htnotha v ee xi s t e dot he r wi s e . Ma hbi nai spr oudof t hef a c tt ha ts her unst heonl yc e r a mi cf a c t or yowne d b yaf e ma l ee nt r e pr e ne ur , wi t hmos toft hema na g e r i a l s t a f fa l s obe l ong i ngt ot hef e ma l eg e nde r . Thede s i g n phi l os oph ybe hi ndCl a y wor k si st obeor i g i na l , c r e a t i v e , f uny e tpr a c t i c a l .
Far hanaandMehr uni s s a As ad,LelDes i gns L e l De s i g nsi samot he r da ug ht e rs t a r t upwhi c hs t a r t e d f r om P e s ha wa r , t hea nc i e ntt ownr ul e db yt r a di t i ona nd whe r epa t r i a r c h ypl a y sak e yr ol e . F a r ha naAs a di st he f ounde rwhi l ehe rda ug ht e r , Me hr uni s s aAs a di st he Cr e a t i v eDi r e c t or , whobr i ng si nhe ri de a st oi nc ul c a t e c ont e mpor a r ya ndmode r ns t y l et ot hea r t . Thea r t whi c hwa sf i r s tc onf i ne dt ot a bl et opsa ndt i l e sha snow be e ne xt e nde dt ode c or a t i onpi e c e s , j e we l r ybox e sa nd muc hmor e .L ELt r a i nsa ma t e ur sf orac oupl eofy e a r s unde rama s t e ra r t i s a n, unt i l t he yc a nbei ndi v i dua l l y ha nde doutpr oj e c t s . I tpl a nsons howc a s i nga nd e xhi bi t i ngi t swor ka br oa d.
Myr aQur es hi , Conat ur al Cona t ur a li st hebr a i nc hi l dofMy r aQur e s hia nd he rs i s t e r , Re maT a s e e r . I twa sl a unc he dt o c r e a t eane ws t a nda r di nt hePa k i s t a nibe a ut y i ndus t r y . My r aa ndRe ma ’ sg oa lwa st oi ns pi r e, e mpowe ra nde duc a t ea ndpr ov i debe ne f i c i a l be a ut ys ol ut i onss i nc et hema j or i t yi nPa k i s t a ni s una wa r eoft heha z a r dsoft oxi cc he mi c a l si n c os me t i c s . My r aa t t r i but e she rs uc c e s sa sa f e ma l ee nt r e pr e ne uri nPa k i s t a nt ohe r de t e r mi na t i on, dr i v e, di s c i pl i nea ndt obe i ng 100%t r uet ohe r s e l f .
Dr .Sar ahQur es hi , Aer oEngi neCr af t S a r a hha saPhDde g r e ei n Ae r os pa c eEng i ne e r i ngf r om Cr a nf i e l dUni v e r s i t y , UK. S he , a l ong wi t hhe rf a t he rMr . Ma s oodL a t i f Qur e s hi , wor k e dont he de v e l opme ntofac ont r a i l f r e e a e r oe ng i nede r i v e df r om anov e l pa t e ntt e c hnol og y . Thet wooft he m t he ns e tupAe r s oEng i neCr a f tPv t L t . t oc on v e r tt hi spa t e nt e d t e c hnol og yi nt oaf ul l s c a l e c omme r c i a l a ppl i c a t i onr e a dyt obe us e db yamode r nc i v i l t r a ns por t a i r c r a f t . S a r a hhol dsaPr i v a t ePi l ot L i c e ns e( PPL )wi t h70hour sof f l y i nge xpe r i e nc e .
Fat i nGondal ,W eb W or kSol ut i ons
F a t i nGonda l , c of ounde rof We b Wor kS ol ut i ons , c a meupwi t h t hei de aoft hi sbus i ne s swhe n t he yf e l tt ha tt he r ewa s n' ta n y onepl a c et ha twa saone s t op s ol ut i onf orbr a ndst ha twa nt e d t obeonl i ne . We bWor k si sa r e s ul tofi de nt i f y i ngag a pi nt he ma r k e twi t hr e s pe c tt oma na g e d e c omme r c es e r v i c e s . Now, i t nowha ss omeoft hebi g g e s t a c c ount si nt hema r k e ta ndha s t hedi s t i nc t i onofha v i ngdonet he f a s t e s tde pl oy me nti nt hewor l d f ore c omme r c epl a t f or m Ma g e nt os ol ut i ons . I nf a c t , We bWor k si sPa k i s t a n’ sf i r s ta nd onl yof f i c i a l Ma g e nt o‘ Bus i ne s s S ol ut i onsPa r t ne r ’ .
Zar iFai s al Zar iFai s alDes i gns Za r i F a i s a l i st heCEO ofZa r i De s i g ns ; s hei s a ne nt r e pr e ne ur , i ma g i ne r , s t r a t e g i s t , c r e a t i v e he a da nds oc i a l me di ama r k e t i nghe a dofhe r v e nt ur e . Za r i De s i g nsi saf a s hi ona nd l i f e s t y l eba s e ds oc i a l me di aa nde c omme r c e br a nd. S hes t a r t e dt hebr a ndonF a c e booki n 2011wi t has ma l l a mounti nha nda ndt oda y , s heha sac ul tf ol l owi ngons oc i a l me di aa nd af ul l yf unc t i ona l e c omme r c epor t a l . Za r i De s i g nsi sac ur a t e ds t y l i ngde s t i na t i on whe r et hebe s ti sc ur a t e df r om t hema r k e t s t obr i ngat opmi xa ndma t c he xpe r i e nc e . L or em I ps um
Anos hi aNas eer Or gani cJ i yo Anos hi aNa s e e r ' spa s s i ont o ma k et hi swor l dabe t t e ra nd he a l t hi e rpl a c ei ns pi r e dt he c r e a t i onofOr g a ni cj i y o, av e nt ur e t ha tpr ov i de st hebe s tor g a ni c pr oduc t sf r om a l l ov e rPa k i s t a n. Thema r k e t pl a c ea tOr g a ni cJ i y o i st hepr e mi e rs our c ef orawi de v a r i e t yofor g a ni cpr oduc t sf r om l e a di nga nde me r g i ngpr oduc e r s . Dur i nghe rt i mewor k i ngf ora t e c hs t a r t up , Anos hi aNa s e e r r e a l i s e dhowt e c hnol og yc a nhe l p br i dg et heg a pbe t we e nt he a ma z i ngl oc a l or g a ni cg r owe r sa nd t hec ons ume r s . He rdr e a mi st o of f e rt hebe s ta ndwi de s tr a ng eof l oc a l or g a ni cf oodsa v a i l a bl ea nd t opr omot eahe a l t h yl i f e s t y l e .
Fat i maKhan Aur aCr af t
Dr .I f f atandSar a,SehatKahani S e ha tk a ha ni ,ahe a l t ht e c ha nds oc i a l e nt e r pr i s ef ounde db yDr . I f f a tZa f a ra ndDr . S a r aKhur r a m ha se me r g e da sPa k i s t a n’ sl a r g e s t he a l t ht e c hc ompa n y . I tha si mpa c t e dt hous a nds ofl i v e st hr oug hpr ov i di nghe a l t hc a r et o Pa k i s t a n' smos tr ur a l c ommuni t i e s . The ys t a r t e d t hi sj our ne ya f t e rt he yr e a l i s e dt ha taf e ma l e doc t orwhoc hoos e st owor ka f t e rma r r i a g e f a c e sal a c kofs uppor ts y s t e mf ort he i r c hi l dr e n; t he ywa nt e dt of i ndapa t ht os e r v e t hema r g i na l i z e da nds uc hdoc t or si nawa yt ha t onl ye mpowe r e dt he m, buta l s omi l l i onsof f e ma l e swhone e dahe l pi ngha nd. S e ha tKa ha ni a i mst oe mpowe rt hee nt i r ev a l ue c ha i nof f e ma l ehe a l t hc a r epr ov i de r st ol e v e r a g eI CTt o de l i v e rl e a di nge dg ehe a l t hc a r ei nunde r s e r v e d a ndunt a ppe dc ommuni t i e s .
Aur aCr a f t si sahome ba s e df a mi l ypr oj e c t de di c a t e dt opr omot i ngt oxi nf r e ea ndna t ur a l s k i n c a r e . F a t i maKha n, f ounde roft hi sa l l or g a ni c v e nt ur e , g i v e sc r e di tt ohe rpa r e nt sf org i v i ngAur a t hei ni t i a l pus h. Ha v i ngs t udi e df i l mf r om Que e ns Uni v e r s i t yi nOnt a r i o, Ca na da , Kha nj oi ne dAURA i n2016a ndf ul l yi mme r s e dhe r s e l fi nt ot hef a mi l y bus i ne s s . F r om de l i c i ousbodybut t e r s , e s s e nt i a l oi l s , l i pba l ms , f a c es c r ubs , ha ndc r a f t e ds oa ps , a nd mor e , onec a nf i ndAURA’ spr oduc t ss t oc k e da t s omeoft hemos twe l l k nowns upe r ma r k e t sa nd ma l l sf r om L a hor et oKa r a c hi a nde v e r y t hi ngi n be t we e n.
Shameel ahI s mai l ,GharPar
Bor na ndr a i s e di naf a mi l yofs t r ongwome n, S ha me e l aI s ma i l a l wa y spl a nne dt of ol l owi n t he i rf oot s t e ps . S hel a unc he dGha r Pa r , whi c h i saf e ma l e l e dt e c hs t a r t upt ha tpr ov i de s homebe a ut ys e r v i c e st owome n. Thi s c ompa n yi saone s t opbe a ut ys ol ut i ont ha t pr ov i de shi g hqua l i t y , t i me l y , pr of e s s i ona l a nd f or da bl ebe a ut ys e r v i c e st owome ni nt he a f c omf or toft he i rhome s . Thebi g g e s t di f f e r e nt i a t oroft hi ss t a r t upi si t sf oc uson s oc i a l i mpa c ta ndt heoppor t uni t i e sof f e r e d t os e mi s k i l l e dwome nf r om e c onomi c a l l y ma r g i na l i z e dba c k g r ounds .
TO ALL THE YOUNG AND ENERGETIC SOULS
HERE’ S YOUR CHANCE TO SHI NE!
BECOMEAN AMBASSADER
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