CSR Recognition: BOP, NBP Shine in Women’s Empowerment Efforts

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan’s two esteemed financial institutions, the Bank of Punjab and the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), were honored with the “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for Women Development” awards during a prestigious ceremony held in Islamabad.

The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) received recognition for its extensive CSR initiatives focusing on women’s education and health and hygiene. 

Meanwhile, the Bank of Punjab (BoP) was lauded for its comprehensive strategies and products aimed at fostering inclusive women’s development, empowerment, and engagement.

The awards ceremony marked a significant moment during the 10th edition of the ‘Aurat Hunar Mela’ (National Women-at-Work Festival), which commenced with a vibrant display of women’s work, products, and services, including the art exhibition “Herself” at Lok Virsa, Islamabad. 

The ‘Aurat Hunar Mela’ is an annual flagship event of Development Communications Network(Devcom-Pakistan). This year’s three-day event is organized in collaboration with the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (NIFTH) and the National Heritage and Culture Division.

The Bank of Punjab is a leading financial institution with 900 branches nationwide and is committed to creating a workplace that champions women’s empowerment and inclusivity, said Head of Customer Services at the Bank of Punjab, Rai Usman Mujahid

“Our comprehensive initiative includes the implementation of women-friendly policies, such as flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance,” Rai Usman added.

Mentorship programmes have been introduced to provide guidance and facilitate career advancement for female employees. Tailored leadership development opportunities aim to enhance the professional growth of women within the organization, the bank’sServices explained.

“We actively organise targeted networking events and forums to foster a supportive community,” rai Usman maintained.

“Our commitment to gender inclusivity extends to regular training programmes on diversity and inclusion for all employees, ensuring a workplace that not only values but actively promotes equal opportunities for every individual to thrive, ” he further added. 

He said there are numerous CSR initiatives, including the Citizens Foundation’s Girls-Education, the Indus Hospital, and the financial inclusion of marginalised community women through interest-free loans.

The bank, he said, is open to engaging with different development and women’s organisations to create women-friendly workplaces and financially empowered women.

Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) Vice President, Sadaf Asim Abbasi, said that CSR  plays a crucial role in the development and empowerment of women by promoting initiatives that address gender equality, access to education, economic opportunities, healthcare, and leadership development.

The women’s chambers of commerce are putting efforts to create economic and financial opportunities for women, especially for middle-class individuals, the entrepreneur added. 

Tahira Haider, an entrepreneur and human resource management expert, said  education and skill development are very crucial for the community women, where the CSR programmes may be aimed at increasing access to education and skill development opportunities for women and girls.

This can include scholarships, vocational training programmes, and workshops designed to enhance their employability and entrepreneurship skills, entrepreneur Haider added.

Riffat Ara Baig, creative director at Devcom-Pakistan, said the CSR shall also be focused on empowering the community women with the skills to redesign their products to meet market needs.

It will increase their share of the market. Product design and development matter a lot in the competitive market. They will also be given exposure to the new markets.

Devcom Pakistan Executive Director, Munir Ahmed. urged corporations to include women’s leadership and decision-making roles within organisations and communities.

This can involve mentorship programmes, leadership training, and initiatives to break down barriers to women’s participation in leadership positions, he added. 

The CSR initiatives shall also include advocacy and awareness-raising about gender inequality and advocating for policies and practices that promote women’s rights and empowerment.

This can involve partnering with advocacy organisations, supporting campaigns, and engaging stakeholders to drive positive change.

In a separate ceremony on Sunday, the management volunteers from the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (ITHM) were also awarded certificates. The female artists who put their artworks on display were awarded with festival mementos and certificates.