Pakistan Honours 17 Champions of Women’s Empowerment

KARACHI: Businesses and influential leaders promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment across Pakistan have received recognition at the 2026 Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. The ceremony celebrated organisations making meaningful contributions towards creating equal opportunities for women in workplaces, businesses and communities.

A total of 17 winner and runner-up honours were announced across seven categories, recognising organisations that have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving women’s participation in the economy. The recipients were selected from 52 applicants representing different sectors and regions of the country.

This year’s award winners included major corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reflecting the growing involvement of businesses in promoting inclusive economic development. Their initiatives highlighted efforts to create supportive working environments, increase women’s access to professional opportunities and encourage gender-responsive business practices.

The biennial awards were organised by UN Women Pakistan in collaboration with Derien and Soorty. The initiative aims to recognise companies that are turning their commitments to gender equality into practical actions. It also encourages businesses to introduce policies and programmes that support women’s professional growth and economic independence.

The awards highlighted the importance of involving the private sector in addressing gender-related challenges. Businesses play an important role in shaping employment opportunities, workplace policies and access to financial resources. By adopting inclusive practices, companies can help women participate more actively in economic activities and take on leadership positions.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Jamshed M Kazi, Country Representative of UN Women Pakistan, emphasised that the success of a business should not be judged solely by its products, financial performance or commercial achievements. According to him, the real impact of an organisation could also be measured through the opportunities it creates and the positive changes it brings to people’s lives.

He explained that businesses could contribute significantly to economic progress when women were given equal opportunities to lead, work with dignity and participate in decision-making processes. He also stressed the importance of ensuring that women could access markets on equal terms and have a meaningful role in decisions affecting their professional and personal lives.

Kazi noted that removing barriers for women was not simply a matter of promoting equality within individual organisations. It could also help transform the wider economy by allowing more people to contribute their skills, knowledge and experience.

He further explained that the Pakistan WEPs Awards recognised organisations that had successfully translated their commitments into practical measures. At the same time, the initiative encouraged other businesses to move beyond written policies and make meaningful improvements to women’s everyday experiences.

The awards also served as an opportunity to highlight successful approaches that other companies could adopt. From improving workplace conditions to expanding leadership opportunities, businesses can introduce different measures to ensure women are treated fairly and have access to professional development.

Chief Guest Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Local Government, also highlighted the importance of women’s economic participation. His presence at the event reflected the significance of cooperation between public institutions, private businesses and organisations working to advance gender equality.

The recognition of 17 organisations demonstrated that efforts towards women’s empowerment were gaining attention across Pakistan’s business community. It also highlighted the potential of private-sector initiatives to support broader economic and social development.

As businesses continue to introduce inclusive policies, initiatives such as the WEPs Awards can encourage greater accountability and inspire organisations to create environments where women can participate, progress and lead without discrimination.

The 2026 ceremony ultimately reinforced the message that women’s economic empowerment is not only a social responsibility but also an important part of building a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable economy in Pakistan.