Women Entrepreneurship In Pakistan
Today in this competitive world, women entrepreneurship (WE) and women empowerment plays
significant role in the socio-economic development of all under developed countries like Pakistan.
Women represent around 48% of Pakistan total population, while female employment participation is
only 19-20%. As per Labour force survey of Pakistan 2005-06, contribution of female labour is around
13.4% in Agriculture and only 6% are engaged in non-agriculture sector (formal: 2% and informal: 4%).
This shows a significant potential for women empowerment and engagement in various sectors; such as
light manufacturing i.e. garments (kids and ladies wear), leather products (traditional garments, shoes,
etc.), home textiles, services, etc.
WEDS- Multan Chapter:
National Productivity Organization (NPO) has developed Women Entrepreneurship Development System
(WEDS) to improve competitiveness of the enterprising women who want to move from home-based
business to a fuller commercial venture and start their own businesses. We have successfully
established a pilot WEDS in Multan housing around 10 women entrepreneurs. The pressing increase in
demand for a bigger centre in Multan to house more entrepreneurs by other women in the vicinity
depicts success of this initiative.
Purpose of this initiative is to facilitate women entrepreneurs (WEs) specially from rural areas; as a first
step for southern Punjab by creating an exclusive female oriented environment where WEs are offered
Furnished Offices, Exhibition/Display facility and Business Development Services (including training
programs, marketing and designing); all under one roof through Public Private Partnership
Future Plan:
Keeping in view the need, our next plan is to setup WEDS Headquarter at Lahore with regional WEDS in
Southern Punjab at Multan for Rajanpur and Muzaffargarh. In this way products and entrepreneurs from
rural areas may set up their business and market their products without middle man and get maximum
financial benefits.
Components of the Proposed System
In order to meet the need it is imperative to train women on latest generation equipment with a
vocation to serve future oriented demands. WEDS will be a gender focused and gender friendly
organization with gender specific staff policies and organizational planning. However, services of WEDS
will include
Executive Style Furnished offices
WEDS will offer business services to the women seeking affordable office space to house their business.
Space for 25 top class, furnished, air conditioned offices will be available in WEDS in various sizes,
equipped with phone, internet connectivity, and much more, at a nominal monthly rent presenting WEs
a professional, safe and secure environment to grow.
Display Centre
WEDS will offer women entrepreneurs to display their products for certain time period in Display
Centred. Facility of this hall can be availed by WEs for one month on nominal rates. WEDS Display Centre
Coordinator will provide information about the ongoing or coming exhibitions in the city or elsewhere.
Guidance regarding product quality, price, proper tagging, market analysis etc. will also be provided.
Counseling and Business development services
One-to-one counselling sessions with experienced business consultants will be organized to address
requirements of WEs. These sessions cover topics ranging from start-up/financial assistance to export
and other issues regarding their business.
Training Centre
WEDS will organize programs including workshops, seminars and trainings for guidance and capacity
building for WE’s on business related topics from scratch to advanced level.
In order to appraise our WEs with events going on in the business world, seminars on different business
issues will be conducted at the centre. Through these seminars, WEs will receive guidance and support
poised to direct them towards the right technique of conducting their business activities.
Micro Finance facility to WEs Additional facilities
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Meeting Room
Training Room
ICT Facility (Fax, Photocopier, Computer, Wireless Internet)
Newspaper & Magazines
Cafeteria
Janitorial Staff
Reception
Secure & Peaceful Environment
Results Expected
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Overcome the deficiency of skilled WEs in Southern Punjab.
Provide higher quality & competitiveness of companies in their geographic area
Introduce an innovative model of a self-financing, agile and effective centre of excellence in
permanent contact with the regional companies
Introduce quality in rendering technical services to the small & medium enterprise
Provide higher presence of modern equipment in the Women Entrepreneurship system (WEDS).
Submitted by:
SYED ALI GOHAR SHAH