TEXT: Message from Managing Director & CEO English Biscuit Manufacturers (Pvt) Limited

To all women. To the mothers and the daughters. To the wives and the sisters. To the sororities who have made the difference. And to half of the global population who contribute every day, in every way, to make the world a little better. This is your day.

Gender equality in Pakistan is a fair necessity and is long overdue. At last count, 49% of Pakistanis are women, out of which a little under a quarter were part of the workforce in 2019. Sadly, the unsavoury truth is that GDP cannot increase until and unless more and more women are actively engaged in our workforce. When almost half the potential of a country is not part of the working population, we can assume that its economy is running at half capacity, and the flags of enterprise and industry are raised at half mast. This need not be so.

Imagine the possibilities. If this percentage were to go up to 90%, with more women free to pursue their deepest ambitions harnessed to their wildest dreams, the possibilities for prosperity will be limitless. After all, women bring a unique brand of humanity to the circuitry of progress.

It's a thought we take to heart at EBM where we firmly believe in gender equality and where we work purposefully towards building a solid female constituent in every department, across all designations, at all levels. We also understand that having a family and a career is a balancing act that is always a day away from being mastered. Which is why, we encourage and support all women who work with us to not only achieve a fulfilling career but to maintain a successful work-life balance.

Gender equality may not happen overnight; but to engender equality across the board, from our jobs to our attitudes, is the first sign of progress. And I know and believe that we will get there together - as citizens, as professionals, and, most of all, as women. Happy International Women's Day, 2020.