Islamabad: The Kashf Women Entrepreneurship Awards 2024, an event organized by the Kashf Foundation to recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of women who have shown exceptional resilience and emerged as successful entrepreneurs, was held at a local hotel.
Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Leslie Scanlon emphasized: “Today is not just about awards, it’s about recognizing the resilience, innovation and determination of women entrepreneurs who drive our economies forward. Every story we hear reflects the extraordinary achievements of women who dared to dream, to overcome challenges and become agents of change. At the heart of this celebration is the impressive partnership between the Kashf Foundation and the Government of Canada. Together, we have paved a path that not only breaks down barriers, but also empowers women to turn their dreams into reality.”
The Kashf Foundation collaborated with Global Affairs Canada on a transformative 5-year project called Promoting Gender Inclusive and Equitable Growth – Women’s Economic Empowerment & Recovery. This initiative aims to boost the economic potential of micro-entrepreneurs in Pakistan by addressing the multifaceted challenges they face in their households and communities through a range of interventions, including but not limited to business building and financial management training, maternal and reproductive health training , social advocacy and public services.
In an interview on gender equality, Roshaneh Zafar, founder and executive director of Kashf Foundation, commented on the importance of equal pay for women and highlighted the significant impact it will have on Pakistan’s economy. “To achieve the desired change, we need to value the role of women in leadership roles, ensure access to health facilities and value the unconditional support they offer at home alongside their jobs and professional responsibilities.”
Roshaneh further elaborated on Kashf Foundation’s larger vision: “The role of women contributes to the overall upliftment of households. When a woman is educated and earns for the household, she contributes holistically to the entire community.” She thanked the Canadian government for promoting gender inclusive and equitable growth in Pakistan.
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The event featured five videos produced by the Kashf Foundation with support from Global Affairs Canada as part of their third public awareness campaign on child marriage. These videos highlighted the consequences of child marriage on young girls, leading to increased vulnerability to various forms of abuse and violence, depriving girls of a secure childhood, quality education and economic prospects.
Winners in 10 different categories included: Allah Mafi for Cultural Heritage Preservation and Entrepreneurship, Nargis Naseem for Women Livestock Entrepreneurship, Fozia for Persistent Powerhouse Awards, Hira Asghar for Innovative Entrepreneur Award Winner, Rukhsana Bibi for Community Catalyst Award , Nighat Sultana for Kashf School Sarmaya Award, Saba for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Hamdan Bibi for Climate Resilience and Sustainability, Fareeda Sajid for Resilience Architecture and Syeda Naila Hamdani for Women’s Rights Campaigner.
Fatima Asad Said, CEO, Abacus Consulting & Board Member, Kashf Foundation, Sadia Khan, Naseeb Online Services Pvt. Ltd., Fintech Expert Board & Board Member, Kashf Foundation, Moneeza Hashmi, Creative Media Head, Kashf Foundation & Trustee Faiz Foundation, Ali Hassan Habib, CEO, SAMA Verte, Managing Partner HIMA Verte and Board Member, Kashf Foundation, Nell Stewart , Executive Director, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Global Affairs Canada, and Alicia Sosa, First Secretary (Development), Mohammed Ali Ahmed, Executive Director and CEO, EFU Life, graced the event with their presence and recognized the winners for their achievements.
