Islamabad: Institute of Rural Management (IRM), in collaboration with the Human Resource Development Network (HRDN), hosted a high-level national seminar titled “Closing the Skills Gap: Women, Work and Sustainable Economic Growth” to discuss practical strategies for strengthening women’s participation in Pakistan’s workforce through skills development and inclusive economic policies.
The event brought together senior government officials, development practitioners, academicians, civil society representatives, private sector leaders, media professionals and development partners, said a press release issued here.
Barrister Nabeel Ahmad Awan, Secretary, Establishment Division, Government of Pakistan, attended the event as the chief guest.
Addressing the seminar, he said women’s economic participation is a national priority and emphasized that Pakistan’s inclusive and sustainable growth depends on equipping women with market-driven skills, digital literacy, entrepreneurship opportunities, financial inclusion, and stronger linkages to employment and markets.
He also appreciated IRM for organizing a timely platform that fostered collaboration among the government, academia, development partners and the private sector to translate dialogue into practical action.
Earlier, IRM Chief Executive Officer Dr Roomi S. Hayat welcomed the participants and reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to strengthening human capital development across Pakistan. He said skills development goes beyond employment by creating opportunities, empowering communities and contributing to national prosperity.
Dr Hayat stressed the need for stronger partnerships among the government, educational institutions, industry and development partners to bridge the gap between education, skills and labour market demands while promoting women’s economic participation.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr Noor Fatima, Director of HRDN and Head of the Department of International Relations and Political Science at the International Islamic University Islamabad. Speaking on the theme “Women, Skills and Sustainable Economic Growth in Pakistan,” she highlighted the importance of investing in women’s education, future-ready skills and policy reforms to unlock Pakistan’s economic potential and achieve inclusive development.
During the strategic reflections session, former Federal Secretary Fareena Mazhar said women’s skills development should be viewed as an economic growth agenda rather than a welfare initiative. She emphasized the need to move beyond certificate-based training towards outcome-oriented programmes that lead to employment, entrepreneurship, income generation and greater market access.
She further stressed the importance of equipping women with digital skills, financial literacy, e-commerce capabilities and climate-smart livelihood opportunities while strengthening partnerships among the government, the private sector, training institutions and civil society.
The seminar also featured a moderated discussion, enabling participants from government institutions, academia, development organizations and the private sector to exchange ideas and share recommendations on strengthening Pakistan’s skills ecosystem and expanding economic opportunities for women.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Israr Mohammad Khan, Director General of the Akhtar Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development (AHKNCRD).
He appreciated the contributions of the chief guest, speakers, participants and the IRM team for organizing a meaningful forum.
During his remarks, he proposed that, considering IRM’s institutional experience and nationwide outreach, the organization be considered for recognition as a Centre of Excellence for Skills Development, Women’s Economic Empowerment and Rural Capacity Building through the appropriate official process.
Souvenirs were presented to the distinguished guests, followed by a group photograph and a networking session, reaffirming the shared commitment of all stakeholders to advancing women’s skills, inclusive employment and sustainable economic growth in Pakistan.
It is to mention here that for more than 30 years, IRM has remained at the forefront of human resource development and institutional capacity building in Pakistan. Through its nationwide programmes, the institute has trained more than 1.5 million individuals, empowering women, youth, professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to drive sustainable development and economic progress.
As a leading national network dedicated to human resource development, HRDN contributed to the seminar by bringing together its extensive network of development practitioners, policymakers and professionals, enriching the dialogue on workforce development, gender inclusion and policy innovation.
