A Certificate Distribution Ceremony for Business Incubation Program for Women Home-Based Workers was held at IBA Main Campus on Tuesday 25th April. Sixty one women home-based workers belonging to areas such as Sultanabad, Korangi, Ibrahim Hyderi and Lyari were awarded certificates for completing a comprehensive three-month entrepreneurship training program especially designed for them. This is a hallmark program of IBA AMAN Center for Entrepreneurial Development (AMAN- CED) in which women entrepreneurs from underprivileged communities of Karachi are trained to start their own ventures in order to promote the cause of women economic empowerment. At the event speaking to the audience Ms. Mahpara Shakil, Deputy Chief of Party, Gender Equity Program (GEP), and Aurat Foundation said, ‘This is an important step toward women economic empowerment’. She said she was highly moved by the confidence and enthusiasm showed by all the participants. Dr. Shahid Qureshi, Director AMAN CED, IBA Karachi addressed the audience and stressed upon the fact that women are nation builders and thus they should be given the opportunity to utilize their full potential.

The candidates gave outstanding presentations on their budding businesses and demonstrated their knowledge on Marketing and Finance, which is a testimony to how much they have learnt at IBA through this program. The participants also expressed their deep gratitude to IBA and the faculty which mentored them; IBA has broadened their vision and guided them in the direction to resounding success. 

In order to provide them a platform to exhibit their products and services ranging from handmade jewelry, handbags, tailoring services, Salon services, traditional embroidery etc. a showcase event by the name of CED Bazaar 2017 was also organized the same day. The event was well attended by Aurat Foundation management, USAID officials, IBA students and esteemed faculty members. The event proved to be instrumental in supporting women entrepreneurship in Pakistan. These women home-based workers received positive feedback and suggestions for future improvement. Institute of Business Administration is implementing the project of Business Incubation Program for Women Home-Based Worker’s under the Gender Equity Program (GEP) of Aurat Foundation by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Karachi.