KARACHI: Pragmatic steps are vital to accelerate gender equality.
Speakers at Chartered Accountants Women’s Committee of ICAP on celebrating Women’s Day on the theme ‘Be Bold for Change’ were of the view that each woman desirous to be a professional in her field can be a leader.
“Fostering financial inclusion for women remained an important factor and failure to educate girls would put direct impact both on their families and on society.”
“International organisations like United Nations and World Bank should come forward and form an alliance to improve the professional, higher education and working conditions. In this respect these international bodies could help Institute of Chartered Accountants Pakistan (ICAP) to reach out young girls to join especially finance and accounts profession.”
“A number of studies have shown that increasing the number of girls benefiting from education has a positive effect on a country’s per capita economic growth.”
Dr Shamshad Akhtar, under secretary general, UN, said, “I appreciate the wonderful initiative taken by ICAP and it’s an honor for me to be here. In the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030, point 5 is entirely based on Gender Equality. I personally believe that gender equality should be given top priority, especially in South Asia since it lacks in female empowerment. Women not only add colour to every institute they work in, but also increase the overall productivity and growth.”
Roshan Mehri, Khalilullah Sheikh, Tahira Raza, Shagufta Hassan, Muneeza Usman, Romana Khokar and Anum Rehman highlighted the role of women in the development of Pakistan’s social and economic sectors.
“Girls need to be encouraged to choose to study and achieve their potential by going for post-graduation and in the case of Chartered Accountancy by committing to obtain the full qualifications required. Women Chartered Accountants should be given specific leadership and interpersonal training opportunities to be able to cope up with the role of chief executives.”
ICAP CA Women Achievement Awards were also given to women chartered accountants and aspiring CA students on achieving professional excellence.
