SMEDA webinar calls for greater inclusion, economic empowerment of women

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LAHORE: Speakers in a webinar organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) on Friday, on the occasion of the celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, have demanded the establishment of a dedicated forum to facilitate regular interaction among women, and to make them able to build a dedicated forum.

The general manager of SMEDA organized by the SMEDA policy and planning was carried out by Nadia Jahangir Seth, General Manager Out Reich Saleh Saeed, and Deputy General Manager Tania Batar. A diverse panel of female business leaders from both public and private sectors spoke on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Inspire Inclation – Accelerating Action’.

Interactive sessions highlighted women’s flexibility, shared valuable insights and reinforced the importance of collective support in the industries. With personally participating in the SMEDA Lahore office across the country and the virtual engagement of stakeholders, the program ensured wider participation.

In launching the session, Seth confirmed the government’s commitment to empower women businessmen through measures like women’s entrepreneurship policy, designed to create sustainable opportunities for women’s led businesses. Saeed emphasized that women’s economic participation is not just a matter of equality but is an important driver of national development. Meanwhile, SMEDA’s Women Entrepreneurship Development Cell (WEDC) head, Batar, pointed out the importance of breaking the barriers for female businesses, adding that maximum involvement reinforces the entire business ecosystem.

Several prominent speakers immediately highlighted the empowerment of women. Additional Secretary of the Women’s Development Department Fiza Ehsan shared details of training programs, which aims to increase jobs in rural women, while Faqa Nasim, the Joint Director of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), has made the bank account of the bank’s bank account for the equality policy.

Addressing the extensive role of women in Pakistan’s economy, President of the Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sameena Fazal noted that with women consisting of 50 % of the population and more than 25 women’s chambers across the country, it is very important to promote a comprehensive business environment for national prosperity. Other panelists, including FPCCI Qur’an El Vice President, CEO of Women Circle Sadaf Abid, Faculty Member of Looms and founder of Pakistan Professional Women’s Forum Gulalai Khan, and senior program manager at Al -Rabi Razzak, emphasized a need for a multi -faceted view to advance the economic tolerance of women.

He called for the guidance of women businessmen, maximizing financial leases to overcome the obstacles to funding, and guiding strength programs to enhance digital literacy, and rapidly intended to enhance the digital economy to increase these skills to achieve these skills.

The program ended on a unanimous and optimistic note, calling for strong cooperation between the public and the private sectors, co -operation policy interferences, and institutional efforts to ensure that women are at the forefront of Pakistan’s economic and leadership scenario.

Discussions have been strengthened that meaningful progress not only requires policy measures, but also a cultural change that actively helps women in business and business capabilities.