AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, February 25, 2013 (PPI-OT): Dawood Global Foundation hosted a press conference to officially announce the 5th LADIESFUND® Women’s Awards for Pakistan to be held at Mohatta Palace Museum on 2ndMarch, 2013 where hundreds of the most dynamic and inspiring women in Pakistan will be in attendance including internationally acclaimed Pakistani women and the 2013 Maldivian Woman of the Year, Shaira Saleem. This event is sponsored by Dawood Capital Management Ltd., KHUSHHALIBANK Ltd., OBS, First Women Bank Ltd., Burj Bank, 21st Century, GSK, Atlas Asset Management Ltd, HESCO, JS Investments Ltd., et al.
LADIESFUND® was established in 2007 as an initiative to provide financial security to women and to promote and train women entrepreneurs. It aims to integrate the entrepreneurial needs based on the economic and social aspects of the local communities, with respect to greater women participation in the workforce. LADIESFUND® Advisory Council members include Amir Adnan, ByramAvari, Dr. Ishrat Husain, Khalid Mirza, NasreenJalil, Shafqat Sultana, Saad Khan, Sultana Siddiqui and Syed Ali Reza.
This year’s Chief Guests were revealed to be 2013 Lifetime Achievement winner Zehra Nigah and President of First Women Bank Ltd., Shafqat Sultana. The Trailblazer, Momentum and Woman of the Year Awards are People’s Choice this year, based on 5 finalists shortlisted by Judges APWA President Leila Sarfaraz, Social Enterprise specialist Rabia Khan, Canvas art gallery owner Sameera Raja and Pakistan Medical Association President Dr. SamrinaHashimi.
Dawood Global Foundation President, Tara UzraDawood, announced that multiple scholarships, fellowships and grants would be presented at the ceremony:
• Four scholarships for grassroots girls to attend Iqra University
• One International Fellowship for RabiaRafiq to attend the World Business Dialogue in Cologne, Germany
• A PKR 850,000 grant through LADIESFUND® P@SHA Social Innovation Fund that will be given at the ceremony to a Pakistani woman start-up to help with her business.
• The announcement of 7 International scholarships for Pakistani girls to attend American Universities for summer programmes.
Rabia Khan, 2013 LADIESFUND® Judge, added, “There will also be a tribute to the brave fight for education in Pakistan faced by many in our country.”
ZeenatSaeed Ahmed, LADIESFUND® Brand Ambassador and LADIESFUND® 2012 Awards Winner stated, “I am living proof that taking chances works, some downers, more uppers, and the satisfaction that those around you also benefit! A will that also goes by the name of ALLAH, is all one needs! Mashallah.”
Other panelists included JehanAra, President, P@SHA; RabiaRafiq, LADIESFUND®International Fellowship winner; ZeenatSaeed Ahmed, LADIESFUND® Brand Ambassador; and Maheen Khan, LADIESFUND® National Bonds Scholarship winner and newly appointed President of the LADIESFUND® Student Advisory Board.
Maheen touched hearts when she said, ““LADIESFUND® rises as a platform for empowering women from every nook and corner regardless of the color, cast or creed. Being a GIRL is fortunate! Thanks LADIESFUND® and Dawood Global Foundation for letting everyone realize that!”
Dr. Syed Asad Abbas, Deputy Director Sales and Marketing at Gold Sponsor OBS, also spoke briefly on the importance of supporting women health and development in Pakistan, saying “Our Gold Sponsorship for the 5th LADIESFUND® Women’s Awards for Pakistan 2013 is just a small token of gratitude to all the enterprising women of Pakistan who stand against all odds to make a place for themselves.”
“Khushhalibank shares a mutual vision with LADIESFUND® in recognizing and honoring women role models.
The LADIESFUND® KHUSHHALIBANK Idol Award is a tribute to those women who, with their commitment and courage have distinguished themselves in our society to merit this award.
Through this pioneering initiative we at Khushhalibank continue to acknowledge those who have devoted themselves in pursuit of excellence and endeavor to create a positive image of Pakistan. The recipient of this prestigious award will be a trailblazer and an inspiration for the coming generations of Pakistan”. Ghalib Nishtar, President, Khushhalibank.
For more information, contact:
Khadija Ahmad
Khushhali Bank Limited
94 West, Fourth Floor,
Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area
PO Box 3111
Islamabad – Pakistan
Telephone: +92 (51) 111 092 092
Fax: + 92 (51) 9245120