Islamabad : A powerful multi-stakeholder event was successfully convened to celebrate women’s empowerment, social inclusion, and collective action, bringing together leading development organizations, government representatives, and private sector stakeholders.
The event was jointly organized in collaboration with Human Resource Development Network (HRDN), Institute of Rural Management (IRM), Trust for Voluntary Organizations (TVO), Strengthening Institutions Foundation (SIF), Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Future Tech GBTI, Gilgit Baltistan Rural Support Programme (GBRSP), Caritas Pakistan, RCCI and the Ministry of Human Rights.
The program commenced with participant registration followed by a symbolic Commitment Pledge, where attendees reaffirmed their dedication towards advancing gender equality and inclusive development. The formal proceedings began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the National Anthem.
The event featured an inspiring Inaugural Address by Fareena Mazhar, a distinguished civil servant with over three decades of experience in economic reform and policy transformation. Her remarks highlighted the importance of enabling environments for women’s participation in economic growth and governance.
A keynote address was delivered by Muhammad Shafique Khan, Convener of FPCCI Federal Standing Committee on Corporate and Multinational Companies Affairs, who emphasized the critical role of responsible business practices and private sector engagement in advancing human rights and inclusive development.
A unique and symbolic segment titled “Ripple Effect: Pebbles and Water” illustrated how small, individual actions contribute to broader societal transformation. Representatives from partner organizations participated in this activity, reinforcing the message of unity, shared responsibility, and collective impact.
The event was further enriched by remarks from the Chief Guest, Syma Nadeem, former Member of the National Assembly, who underscored the importance of policy coherence and inter-provincial collaboration in strengthening gender-responsive governance.
An interactive session, “The Power of Her Words: Story of 100 Words,” engaged participants in a collective expression exercise, highlighting the strength of voices, ideas, and shared narratives in driving social change.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Robeela Bangash CEO HRDN, who reflected on the key outcomes of the gathering and emphasized the need for sustained partnerships and action-oriented commitments. Shields were presented to speakers and partners in recognition of their contributions.
The gathering reaffirmed the shared vision of all stakeholders to promote gender equality, human rights, and inclusive socio-economic development, while strengthening partnerships across sectors for long-term impact.
