by Meng Fanrong

 

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 27 (Gwadar Pro) – A webinar on Women Entrepreneurship Challenges and Solutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and merged areas was held on Thursday.

 

Speakers discussed key issues Pakistani women faced in the market and industry, including awareness absence, social barriers, cultural constraints, and financial problems. The webinar also proposed solutions for women through collaboration between public and private sector, education and training, project support, making full use of social media, etc.

 

Ms. Shamama Arbab, Chairperson BOD, Pakistan Stone Development Company put forward that lack of awareness, exposure and opportunities are major obstacles for women to achieve their business goals. She stressed that appropriate training should also be given to women who actively participate in the market.

 

Shamama further mentioned the need to deepen their understanding of entrepreneurship by adding an entrepreneur syllabus to early school studies and teaching students concepts such as market capital and bank loans. She also suggested the establishment of a full-fledged women's department in KP province.

 

Ms. Sharf Khattak, Regional Head KP, First Women Bank Ltd (FWBL) stated that, “The bank creates opportunities for women from a business perspective, provides them with loans available, and introduces the processes, methods and training programs of social start-ups.”

 

Focusing on the opportunities of women entrepreneurs in the service industry, Ms. Shahana Mehmood, CEO of Astognah Creators said that, “Nowadays, more and more people know about event management and interior designing, and the new generation has many opportunities to start a business in this field, especially in FATA. Women in the tribal areas should take full advantage of social media to develop their businesses.”

 

Ms. Mahvish Ayub, M&E Expert, NIC Peshawar argued that there was a gap in coordination and advocacy among organizations engaged in women's entrepreneurship. There is also a communication gap between women in unawakened poor areas and women with different levels of education.