According to an International Finance Corporation (IFC ) survey, less than 5% of women in Pakistan make it to senior management roles in private businesses. The report adds that companies are still struggling to reach gender diversity where only 1 in 20 women in leadership get a chance to grow.
Moreover, a new survey by the International Finance Corporation and the Pakistan Business Council highlights the challenges and opportunities around women’s employment in the private sector.
Ecovis and OICCI carried out this survey to recognise those companies that have empowered women. The survey shows a massive increase in the numbers. Each company has shown an improvement in the proportion of Female Directors varying from 2.9% to 40% (globally). Unfortunately, this is still not enough to acquire gender equality.
Equity and Success
In recent years, more and more women in Pakistan have been able to take up paid employment from 19% to 20.53% or hold managerial positions. The average growth in the 5 best companies is around 18%. Statistics show that in urban areas, 61% of women are in employment and in rural Pakistan, 39% of women work.
While the numbers have shown improvement, there is still a lot to be done when it comes to equity and success for the female gender.
WOW360 will be speaking to Pakistani women in different sectors of the economy on what leadership means to them and how the challenges can be addressed with regard to bridging the gap. We’ll also explore what essential qualities are needed to create positions for women that will enable and empower them in the near future.
Women in Leadership Programme
These alarming numbers are eye-opening, showing the clear need for more awareness and efforts to push for women in leadership roles in Pakistan.
To provide impact-based solutions towards fulfilling this gap, the Women in Leadership (WIL) programme initiated by British Council Pakistan in partnership with SEED Ventures, aims to help those females who want to develop leadership skills.
As women, we spend so much time being afraid of failure and of rejection that we forget to step back and realize the framework we function in is inherently patriarchal. Why is it that the pre-conceived notions of leadership are all male-oriented? Why do we not account for the uniqueness of individuals while establishing leadership goals? With this programme, we are starting a conversation on how leadership should not be gendered and that diversity should be celebrated as well. With WIL, we are starting a conversation on growth. -Shaista Ayesha, CEO of SEED Ventures
The programme has been mainly designed to help women at all levels of vocations followed by CLORE’s Social Leadership training that will prepare them for opportunities with the help of workshops, mentorships, and networking opportunities.
The WIL programme will promote inclusivity and equality for women and benefit organisations through skilled employees who will help contribute to their success and the economy.
Women in Leadership Programme – Skill Sets
The programme will focus on many different areas including strategic planning, conflict resolution, communication, and guidance from professionals. Furthermore, participants will network with like-minded people to expand their knowledge.
We are thrilled to launch the Women in Leadership Programme, which we believe will make a significant impact on the advancement of women in the workplace. Gender equality is essential for a thriving and inclusive society, and we are committed to playing our part in achieving this goal. – Maarya Rehman, Deputy Director at the British Council Pakistan
WOW360 x Women in Leadership Programme
WOW360 is proud to announce its partnership with Seed Ventures for the British Council Women in Leadership Programme. Throughout the month of March, WOW360 will roll out powerful, meaningful and emotional stories of women who gave it their everything to accomplish something which was once considered impossible through a series of articles and videos.
Through these interviews, we will take a deep dive into the lives, minds, and stories of the women who have made it to powerful positions themselves, while encouraging the ecosystem of females surrounding them. From learning the skills needed to understand how one should frame their mindset, these ladies will spill it all.
Articles
We interviewed women in Pakistan belonging to various sectors of the economy to get a deeper understanding of what leadership means to them. The articles explain how the modules taught by Clore Social are relevant to women’s leadership styles in Pakistan
This holistic approach to leadership takes into account not only technical skills but also emotional intelligence, personal values, and cultural context.
This approach is particularly important in the context of the Women in Leadership Programme. It aims to empower women to take on leadership roles while navigating the complex challenges of gender bias and cultural norms beyond the participants and facilitators of the programme.
We will also be sharing the testimonials and feedback from the participants and facilitators of the programme who can share their experience of how it has added value to their lives.
Leadhers Podcasts
One of the key objectives of the Women in Leadership Programme is to inspire and support women in their career development, with a particular focus on helping them overcome the barriers they face in male-dominated fields. Women in leadership positions face unique challenges, such as gender bias, imposter syndrome, and work-life balance issues. It can also be difficult to find relatable role models who have successfully navigated these challenges. Thus, by providing the participants and all stakeholders interested in the programme with podcasts of women in positions of power who are sharing their own experiences and insights and offering valuable guidance can be empowering in itself.
Hearing the personal stories of successful women leaders can be incredibly motivating and empowering for participants, as it helps them realize that they too can overcome the barriers they face and achieve their goals.
Moreover, podcasts can provide platforms for women to have their voices heard and their perspectives valued. Women leaders often have unique insights and approaches that may not be traditionally valued in male-dominated fields. By sharing their perspectives on a podcast, they can contribute to a more inclusive dialogue and challenge the status quo.
Impact Stories Videos
We created a series of impact videos for the Women in Leadership Programme focusing on grassroots leadership. The goal is to inspire and empower women leaders at all levels, including those who may not have had the opportunity to participate in the programme.
We focused on women who are breaking stereotypes and challenging gender norms in their communities. We believe that these women are true leaders, and their stories serve as powerful examples of what is possible when women are empowered to take on leadership roles. By highlighting these stories, we hope to inspire and motivate other women to pursue their own leadership journeys, regardless of their background or circumstances. We also hope to challenge the narrative around what it means to be a leader and to show that leadership can take many different forms.
We hope to create a movement of women leaders who are empowered to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. The impact videos aim to contribute to this movement and will serve as a source of inspiration and empowerment for women everywhere.
WOW360 x WIL Themes
The content will be divided into 4 themes based based on the Clore Social Modules
- Know Yourself, Be Yourself, Look After Yourself – reviewing personal qualities that social leaders have and how they’re demonstrated
- Understanding Context & Purpose – gaining insight into why you do what you do, what motivates you, and how it is influenced by your context.
- Become a Great Team Player – how to be a great team player and how to communicate and collaborate with peers efficiently and effectively
- Wellness Action Plan – how to take ownership of personal well-being through lessons, tools, and exercises
We can’t wait to introduce you to superwomen who are leading women in their respective industries with full zeal and zest.
Stay tuned to WOW360 to be empowered, inspired, and get transformed.