“Building a Skilled Female Workforce”
Farhat Fatima
Islamabad: In a world striving for gender diversity and inclusivity, the representation of women in leadership roles is not just a societal trend but a fundamental requirement for sustainable development.
For nations like Pakistan, where women constitute nearly half the population, fostering education and leadership opportunities for women remains an enormous challenge.
A better gender balance in leadership is inextricably tied to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which seeks to attain gender equality.
Without significant representation of women in decision-making roles, the dream of equality remains elusive.
“Women representation in different walks of life, including the economy, policymaking, and management, is important to ensure gender equality,” said Fouzia Khan Bhittani, an educationist at Quaid-i-Azam University.
“Traditionally, in societies like ours, policies about women are formulated by men. How can such policies be fruitful when women, who know their issues best, are excluded from the process?”
The Power of Women’s Perspectives
Women bring unique perspectives to decision-making, offering innovative and inclusive solutions to societal challenges. Their integration into leadership and policy formulation can address pressing issues, such as economic dependency and domestic violence.
“When women are financially dependent on male family members, they are placed in a position of vulnerability,” Fouzia explained. “Empowering women through leadership roles can help them break free from societal stereotypes and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.”
Highlighting the untapped potential of women, Fouzia added that women executives often outperform their male counterparts. “To elevate them to leadership positions, we need a realistic approach that provides better education, training, and employment opportunities.”
Untapped Potential
Keeping women away from leadership roles means sidelining half the population from contributing to national progress. Female doctors, teachers, jurists, executives, and even preachers bring a deeper understanding of feminine issues and pave the way for equitable societies.
“Women have the ability to balance multiple roles, excelling in careers while managing households and collaborating effectively,” Fouzia said. In conservative societies, male executives often shy away from addressing sensitive issues concerning women. Female leaders, however, can foster open communication, offering empathetic and practical solutions.
Diverse Leadership
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) emphasizes the importance of gender-diverse leadership for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. “When more women are empowered to lead, everyone benefits,” states their report, highlighting decades of research showing women leaders driving productivity, collaboration, and fairness.
Dr Najiba Arif, Chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, echoed this sentiment. “Different experiences provide different strengths and perspectives. Women’s strategic thinking, team leadership, and decision-making abilities enhance innovation and collaboration in workplaces.”
Women’s empathy and communication skills further strengthen their leadership roles, enabling meaningful conversations with stakeholders and fostering better understanding.
Female Workforce
Chairperson of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, Shahida Rehmani, stressed the importance of education, training, and character-building to prepare women for executive roles. “From childhood to adolescence, girls must be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and acumen to become good mothers, executives, and leaders. This will make them valuable assets for the nation,” she said.
Empowering women is synonymous with empowering nations. Women leaders contribute to the growth of families, organizations, and societies, driving justice, harmony, and tolerance. As Pakistan and other nations strive for sustainable development, creating opportunities for women to lead is no longer optional—it is essential.
