Procter & Gamble (P&G) announced the launch of its latest Gender Equality initiative under the P&G #WeSeeEqual programme at a formal ceremony held in Karachi. Reinforcing its commitment to contribute towards the economic empowerment of women in the country in the presence of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla, Chariperson Health Oriented Preventive Education (HOPE), Faria Salman, Head of Communications, Strategic Management & Partnerships Unit, UN Women and members of press, P&G joins hands with long-term NGO partner HOPE and UN Women for women’s skill development and girls’ education.

The programme includes establishment of seven vocational training centres and provision of quality secondary education to women and girls in semi-urban and rural areas, which is expected to benefit an estimated 10,000 girls over the next years years. Additionally, the partnership with UN Women aims to provide 50 women with skill development and financial literacy training, enabling them to set up small-scale business ventures in Sialkot and conduct an evidence-based research study, in order to promote women entrepreneurship and documentation of gender responsive procurement practices in the country.

Senator Khushbakht Shujaat, one of the key speakers at the event, shared, “Throughout time, women have strived to achieve success in different fields of life. Much progress has been made in this area and so, today we have many inspirational examples of women leaders across the world and in Pakistan. However, we still have a long way to go.” Pakistan is currently ranked 143 (out of 144) on the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index and the overall literacy rate amongst girls in the country is 46%. Speaking on the occasion, Sami Ahmed, Vice President P&G Pakistan, said, “This is another step forward towards the fulfillment of our aspiration to build a world free from gender bias, and a world with equal representation and an equal voice for women and men, in our workplace, in our communities and in our country.”