Pakistan’s leather industry has welcomed women’s empowerment in Karachi’s Leather Sector of Korangi Industrial. According to the Pakistan Tanners Association (S.Z, Environmental Society), on the 31st of August, Bahria University Karachi Campus proudly hosted a certification distribution ceremony to honour the successful participants of the “Women Empowerment in Leather Sector” program. This impactful initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Pakistan Tanners Association, Southern Zone-Environmental Society and supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The program, aimed at fostering gender equality and women’s empowerment in the leather industry, offered practical training in key areas such as leather processing, cleaner production techniques, and solid waste management. The successful participants were awarded certificates of completion during the ceremony.
The event was a testament to the strong partnership between academia and industry, with Bahria University appreciating the efforts to bridge this crucial gap. The university management expressed their intention to explore further avenues for collaboration to provide meaningful learning experiences for students that align with industry demands.
Mr Gulzar Firoz, President of PTA (S.Z, Environmental Society), highlighted the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PTA (SZ, ES ) and Bahria University. He mentioned that this program was the second in a series focusing on empowering women in the leather sector. He also announced that the industry is committed to offering employment opportunities to qualified women in their units, thereby solidifying their dedication to gender inclusivity.
Mr. Ivan Kral, representing UNIDO, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between PTA (SZ)-ES and Bahria University. He highlighted UNIDO’s commitment to offering various learning options, both on-site and online, to promote a cleaner environment and sustainable development.
The certification distribution ceremony celebrated the successful completion of the “Women Empowerment in Leather Sector” program, symbolising a promising step towards gender equality and sustainable development in the industry.