Bureau Report
Karachi: UN Women Pakistan honoured 17 winners and runner-ups at the biennial Pakistan Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards 2026, held in Karachi. The awards recognize businesses advancing gender equality across workplaces, marketplaces and communities.
Organized by UN Women Pakistan in partnership with Derien and Soorty, with GEO as media partner, the 2026 edition received 52 applications from major corporations to SMEs nationwide across seven categories.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jamshed M. Kazi, UN Women Pakistan Country Representative, said: “When women can lead without barriers, work with dignity and shape decisions that affect their lives, businesses do more than advance gender equality — they help redefine the economy itself.”
Chief Guest Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Local Government, stressed that women’s economic participation is vital to Pakistan’s progress, while keynote speaker Nishat Fatima, CEO South Air, noted that empowering women strengthens organizations and drives innovation.
The awards highlighted gender-inclusive leadership, gender-responsive business practices, inclusive procurement, community partnerships, and the use of technology and AI for gender equality.
Winners include:
- Leadership Commitment:* Winner – Angel Imdad, Irverde Gogreen; Runners-up – Dr. Muhammad Suleman, SAFCO Microfinance and Zunaira Omar Saqib, The Square Peg.
- Gender-Inclusive Workplace:* Winner – Fatima Fertilizer; Runners-up – Abacus and Artistic Milliners.
- Gender-Responsive Marketplace:* Winner – Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company; Runners-up – Walee Financial Services and The Bank of Punjab.
- Inclusive Procurement:* Winner – JAZZWorld – PMCL.
- Community Engagement and Partnerships:* Winner – Mobilink Bank; Runners-up – Engro Fertilizers and EFU Life.
- Technology and AI for Gender Equality:* Winner – HBL; Runner-up – Bioniks.
- SME Champions:* Winner – Davaam Life; Runner-up – Fruit of Sustainability.
The national winners will now be considered for the regional 2026 Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards, scheduled for 1 December 2026.
The WEPs, developed by UN Women and UN Global Compact, guide businesses on gender equality. Over 13,400 companies globally and more than 190 in Pakistan have joined the network, reflecting growing private-sector commitment to inclusive growth.
