Safe and Supportive Work Environments for Women Can Accelerate Economic Growth: Shahid Imran

*LAHORE, October 25:* Convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Committee on Food, Shahid Imran, has said that women, who constitute around 49 percent of Pakistan’s total population, can play a pivotal role in accelerating economic growth if provided with safe, secure and supportive working environments across the country.

Talking to a delegation of women entrepreneurs led by Ms. Amna Abdullah Arain here on Sunday, he said recent initiatives aimed at improving women’s mobility, including pink buses and scooter loan schemes, were encouraging. However, such measures remained insufficient and needed to be expanded across the country.

He emphasised that changing societal mindsets was equally important, adding that a nationwide public awareness campaign against harassment of women and girls in public spaces should be made a priority to ensure their safe participation in education, employment and economic activities.

Shahid Imran observed that women’s limited ability to work outside their homes was largely linked to structural and social barriers, resulting in substantial economic and societal losses. He pointed out that Pakistan’s female labour force participation rate had remained stagnant at around 22 percent over the past 15 years.

He said that when women earned an income, they tended to spend more proactively, generating direct benefits for children’s education, healthcare and overall family welfare. Women’s economic participation was therefore essential for sustainable development, poverty alleviation and strengthening the national economy.

He said women possessed enormous potential in agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, education, healthcare, information technology and entrepreneurship. Their professional skills and capabilities could enhance productivity, encourage innovation and create new employment opportunities.

The FPCCI regional committee convener also stressed the need to introduce comprehensive skill development programmes, vocational training, improved access to finance and greater business opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Shahid Imran urged the public and private sectors to work jointly to remove barriers preventing women from participating fully in economic activities.

He said empowering women was essential for building a prosperous, competitive and economically stable Pakistan.