According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum, Pakistan is ranked 148th out of 148 countries. This disparity is evident in the literacy rate, where there is a significant difference between males (73%) and females (51.9%). With over 25 million children out of school, Pakistan has one of the highest rates in the world. Girls account for a disproportionate number of these children, making up 53% of the total out-of-school population. We understand that sustainable change begins with equipping individuals with essential skills. That is why we wholeheartedly support Imarah women empowerment program as it provides early-stage learning, vocational training, and entrepreneurial development. These crucial elements empower women to build sustainable livelihoods and ultimately, to shape their own futures. Our role at the Fahmida Begum Foundation goes beyond just providing support; we are actively involved in this mission. We dedicate a physical space for the initiative, ensuring a conducive environment for learning and growth. Furthermore, we take an active role in identifying beneficiaries, ensuring that the women who need it most are able to access and benefit from Imarah’s comprehensive program. We are committed to ensuring meaningful and lasting impact for every woman who walks through Imarah’s doors. It fills us with immense joy and pride to have recently celebrated a significant milestone: the Graduation of Cohort 3. 106 women successfully completed their training in Digital Basic Literacy, IT Skills, and Enterprise Development. Total 250 women have been empowered through this program. Their dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment truly embody the spirit of empowerment and progress that we, at the Fahmida Begum Foundation, envision for every woman in our community. This achievement is a testament to their hard work and the transformative power of the Imarah program. The highlight of graduation day was undoubtedly the Entrepreneurs Panel Discussion, featuring three students of the students of the program alongside their mentor, Atta-Ur-Rehman. They shared their incredible journeys, offering insights into their backgrounds, the motivation behind their businesses, and the impact of the Imarah program on their lives. Rozina: Rozina, a resilient mother of three, narrated the story of her clothing business of children, which she started just three months ago. She launched the venture with personal funds and a loan, skillfully navigating initial hurdles. Rozina credited the Imarah program with teaching her crucial business skills like multiplying profits, managing costs, and earning better revenue. Looking to the future, she plans to expand her business to sell ladies’ undergarments, aiming to provide a convenient purchasing option for women in her community. Her advice to every woman was to “remain hopeful, emphasizing that women are capable of achieving anything.” Amna: Amna, with four years of teaching experience, explained that she leveraged her background and her new skills from the Imarah IT and Enterprise programs to open her own home tuition business, teaching students from pre-primary to matric. The Enterprise Development course was particularly impactful, teaching her about different business types, how to identify unique selling points, and how to effectively handle customers. She also mentioned overcoming challenges like navigating public transport and being unable to travel late at night. Amna offered a call to action for other women, expressing her firm belief that “women are also better entrepreneurs” and encouraging them to “work hard and achieve your goal.” Ruby: Ruby, a mother of six, whose husband works as a laborer, described how she built a successful general store over the past nine years. Her journey began with a basic literacy course, and she then progressed through the Enterprise program, which provided her with valuable insights into making better investments and adapting her work to seasonal demands. She recalled how investing in a refrigerator was a pivotal moment, transforming her efforts into a thriving business. Ruby also shared the personal challenges she faced, explaining that her family was initially against her running a shop, but her determination helped her overcome their opposition. Her advice to the audience was to “not look if your business is small or large, just start with whatever you have.” Their success is a testament to their dedication and the empowering impact of the Imarah Program. We extend our sincere gratitude to COSARAF for funding this initiative. We also thank our valued partners, SEED Ventures and Teesquare, for their invaluable support in making this program a success. We also thank our community partners for their trust in our mission to create learning and growth opportunities for women.
