Key points

  • UN Women Pakistan honoured 17 award recipients and runners-up at the biennial Women’s Empowerment Principles Awards.
  • The winners were selected from 52 applicants spanning major corporations and small-to-medium enterprises.
  • The initiative aims to promote inclusive leadership and expand economic opportunities for women across the country.

According to Business Recorder, the biennial Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards in Pakistan recently celebrated 17 winners and runner-up recognitions for their efforts in advancing gender equality across corporate value chains.

Key Details

Business Recorder reported that the 2026 edition of the awards drew 52 applicants from across the country, encompassing entities ranging from major corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event was organised by UN Women Pakistan in collaboration with Derien and Soorty, with GEO serving as the designated media partner.

During the ceremony, UN Women Pakistan Country Representative Jamshed M Kazi emphasised the broader impact of inclusive commerce, stating as reported by Business Recorder: "The true measure of business success is not only what companies produce, but whose lives they transform and whose futures they make possible."

Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, the Minister for Local Government who attended as the chief guest, also spoke at the event regarding women's economic participation, according to Business Recorder.

Context and Impact

The WEPs awards highlight initiatives designed to foster inclusive leadership, strengthen gender-responsive business practices, and broaden economic prospects for women throughout Pakistan. Jamshed M Kazi noted that empowering women to lead without barriers and access markets on equal terms allows businesses to redefine the wider economy, moving beyond commitments on paper to tangible changes in daily life, Business Recorder reported.

Summary and What Next

The biennial event underscores ongoing efforts to recognise corporate leadership in gender equality and challenges the broader business community to deepen its practical commitments. Further outcomes from the initiatives of the awarded organisations remain to be seen in future reporting.