The US Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday launched the 'Women in Trade Initiative' to increase the participation of Pakistani women in the international trade sector. Addressing the launching ceremony, Dr Marilyn Wyatt, wife of US Ambassador Cameron Munter said this initiative, being launched in conjunction with several multinational firms, is part of the United States' commitment to the people of Pakistan to support women's empowerment.
"By raising the role of women in the international trade sector, we can enable them to contribute not only to Pakistan's economy, but to the overall development of the country," she said. Chief of Party (CoP), USAID Pakistan Trade Project (PTP) Gareth Davies on the occasion said the programme envisions a world in which women have overcome the obstacles of that confront them when they want to become high achieving workers or indispensable contributors to their families' incomes and their nations' prosperity.
He said women are often the backbones of local economies, particularly in rural areas, but they do not get counted and paid or sometimes do not get paid enough. The barriers to women as entrepreneurs and employees are far higher for women in Pakistan then other countries around the world. Women lack access necessary things such as decent career, decent income, education, financing, day care and other forms of family support, supportive work places and social approval, Davies said.
The data is clear that women are the drivers of economic growth around the world. For that reason, helping women is a key pillar of our foreign policy. Davies said, "We are working on various levels to help women in Pakistan, especially funding and training women entrepreneurs, particularly those in flood affected areas and opening doors to allow more women to move into managerial positions."
Under the initiative, USAID has arranged three-month internships for 17 female university graduates with well-known companies such as Target Sourcing Services Pakistan, TEXLYNX, NISHAT Group, and Li and Fung Pakistan. These women will gain skills in sourcing and marketing of products, product development and diversification, and supply chain management.