— Annual Conference
WECON’17: Empowering Female Entrepreneurs and Building a Stronger Ecosystem
The Women Entrepreneurship Conference (WECON’17), which took place on March 11, 2017, at the esteemed HEC Auditorium in Islamabad, Pakistan brought together an outstanding gathering of influential members of Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This conference, organised by the WECON Movement, intended to honour the accomplishments of iconic female entrepreneurs while facilitating discussions on bolstering the ecosystem for entrepreneurship through collaboration and practical initiatives.
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Panel Session 1: Create
The first session of WECON’17, entitled “Create,” centred on the creation of a sustainable and stable entrepreneurial ecosystem. The session was moderated by Ms Shahnaz Kapadia Rahat, the founder of Mera Maan. Among the distinguished panellists were Mr Yusuf Hussain (CEO, ICT R&D Fund), Dr Arshad Ali (Executive Director HEC), Ms Khalida Habib (Director/HOD SECP), and Ms Naima Ansari (Vice President FPCCI).
Key Points/Challenges/Recommendations
- It is essential to promote the development of women’s entrepreneurial activities in Pakistan by fostering an enabling environment.
- A transformation in social norms and the implementation of gender mainstreaming policies are required to help women entrepreneurs overcome the obstacles they face.
- To empower female entrepreneurs, it is essential to provide technology-related training and digital skills programmes.
- Incorporating entrepreneurship education throughout all stages of formal education can increase accessibility to entrepreneurial knowledge.
- Cooperation between women entrepreneurs with backing organisations is essential for the discovery of innovative ideas and the cultivation of entrepreneurial talent.
- The media plays a crucial role in highlighting and celebrating the accomplishments of women business owners, thereby raising awareness and motivating others.
Panel Session 2: Cultivate
The second session, titled “Cultivate,” centred on addressing obstacles, investigating opportunities, and exchanging success tales in women’s entrepreneurship. Ms Rida Shoaib (Project Manager, Herself), Ms Maria Umer (Founder, Women Digital League/Women X), Ms Shahina Waheed (Programme Manager, UNIDO), Mr Tauseef Zaman (ICCI), and Ms Shehab Niazi (Entrepreneur, Mentor WeCreate, Pakistan) were among the panellists.
Key Points/Challenges/Recommendations
- Creating a supportive atmosphere and providing assistance with business expansion is crucial for women entrepreneurs.
- Organisations such as the Women’s Digital League and UNIDO’s Business Growth Centre (BGC) contribute to augmenting women entrepreneurs’ mobility, visibility, and connectivity.
- Changes in the way people think and an attitude of support and teamwork among women businesses are important for their success.
- Accepting new challenges and leaving comfort zones can result in personal and professional development.
- It is crucial to develop specific strategies for increasing women’s involvement in entrepreneurial programmes and organisations.
Panel Session 3: Celebrate
The third session, “Celebrate,” highlighted the inspiring success tales of influential female entrepreneurs. Panellists included Ms Manzil e Maqsood (Founder and CEO, Oxbridge Innovative Solutions), Ms Nigar Nazar (CEO, Gogi Studios), Ms Sihah Waris (Founder & CEO, Rise Mom), and Ms Shahnaz Kapadia Rahat (Founder, Mera Maan), who were moderated by Ms Maryam Arshad, Community Manager at N I C.
Key Points/Challenges/Recommendations
- Initiatives such as Rise Mom address the obstacles working mothers encounter by bridging the divide between work and childcare.
- Including strategies for active learning in education and encouraging STEAM education can enhance critical as well as creative abilities.
- By utilising online tools and social media, women entrepreneurs can gain visibility and market access.
- Sharing success tales and emphasising role models encourages women to pursue entrepreneurial endeavours.
WECON’17 was successful in bringing together experts, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders in Pakistan to exchange ideas and encourage women entrepreneurs. The panel discussions emphasised the importance of an enabling environment, access to resources, supportive regulations, and collaborations in order to overcome obstacles and promote the development of female-led enterprises. Celebrating the achievements of female entrepreneurs served as evidence of their potential and encouraged other individuals to follow in their footsteps.