Peshawar (Shahid Ali Tareen): In a significant stride towards empowering women in Northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), LADIESFUND launched its Peshawar chapter, marking a milestone event that brought together a distinguished assembly of women leaders.
The event, held at Peshawar Barracks by Shelton’s Rezidor, was hosted by LADIESFUND Peshawar member Zeba Rehman, Director of Rehman Medical Institute. Tara Uzra Dawood, President of LADIESFUND, traveled from Karachi to grace the occasion.
The event celebrated the inclusion of several influential women as inaugural members of LADIESFUND Peshawar. Among these were Shahida Shah of UN Women, Hadia Mehr of Brightside High School, Arzoo E Sahar, an Advocate at the High Court Peshawar, Humera Riaz, owner of The Jiggly Cake, and Dr. Noor Ul Ain of KMU’s Forensic Medicine department. Other notable members included Farrah Azam, President of Peshawar Floral Art Society, Farzana Ali, Bureau Chief of AAJ News Peshawar, and many more prominent figures from various fields.
Qurat Ul Ain Khan, a key organizer and Regional Coordinator & Director at Al-Huda International Welfare Foundation, highlighted the importance of LADIESFUND’s initiatives in KPK. “LADIESFUND is an esteemed organization dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs and key figureheads across Pakistan, which has now extended its areas of focus to include KPK, a province that is often neglected by most NGOs performing similar functions,” she said. Khan emphasized the transformative impact of LADIESFUND through education, training programs, networking opportunities, and financial support.
Architect Sidra Hasan expressed her excitement about joining LADIESFUND, stating, “I am deeply honored to be a member of LADIESFUND, an organization dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of women. This acknowledgment not only celebrates the collective achievements of women but also inspires continued efforts toward gender equality.”
The event provided a platform for members to connect, share experiences, and support each other’s endeavors. Guloono Zahra Babar, owner of Soiree PR & Events, shared her enthusiasm: “I connected with like-minded women, potential clients, and collaborators, opening doors to new opportunities. Witnessing the talent and passion of Peshawar’s women left me energized and motivated to pursue my own goals.”
Shahida Shah, a Women Empowerment Professional with UN Women, appreciated the unique networking opportunities provided by LADIESFUND. “I am thankful to Tara Uzra Dawood for introducing me to LADIESFUND, which is a very unique networking platform for women empowerment. I am working for Pashtun tribal women empowerment in KP & erstwhile FATA (now called Merged Districts) since a decade, but I found LADIESFUND a different and a good opportunity to be a bridge between my work at grassroots level to global level.”
The event was followed by a second meeting at SOS Children’s Villages Peshawar, hosted by Kokab Batool Qureshi, Director of SOS Children’s Village Peshawar. This meeting welcomed additional influential women, including Dr. Palwasha Rauf, Zeba Masood, and Dr. Almas Fasih Khattak, further expanding the network of LADIESFUND Peshawar.
Dr. Almas Khattak praised the commitment of LADIESFUND and its founder Tara Uzra Dawood: “LADIESFUND’s commitment to empowering women and fostering leadership in various fields is truly commendable. Tara Uzra Dawood, with her inspiring personality, has created a platform that not only celebrates the achievements of women but also provides them with the resources and support needed to excel.”
The launch event concluded with a roundtable discussion on future initiatives, including philanthropic work in Peshawar, spotlighting the achievements of Peshawar’s women, and creating opportunities for learning and networking. The genesis of LADIESFUND Peshawar was supported by various contributors, including Dr. Ishrat Husain, Consul General of Pakistan to New York Amir Ahmed Atozai, and Nighat Misbah.
LADIESFUND’s expansion into Peshawar marks a significant step in empowering women across Khyber PakhtunKhwa, driving economic growth, and fostering a supportive community for female entrepreneurs and professionals.