The Women Entrepreneurship Conference (WECON) 2025 was held in Islamabad on Wednesday, focusing on empowering women entrepreneurs through equity-driven reforms.
The event, co-hosted by Change Mechanics Pvt. Ltd. and the British Council at the Pak-China Friendship Centre, centred on the theme Masawaat, or equity. Speakers emphasized dismantling barriers that restrict women’s participation in the economy.
Policymakers, business leaders, and innovators discussed how targeted support, institutional collaboration, and equity-driven reforms can expand opportunities for women-led businesses. Key institutions participating included SECP, FBR, Pakistan Single Window, GSMA, NAVTTC, Ignite, TiE Islamabad, Invest2Innovate, and UNDP.
Universities, tech groups, and financial institutions such as Karandaaz, Mobilink Bank, FJWU, the All-Pakistan Women’s Universities Consortium, Google Developer Groups Islamabad, Code for Pakistan, Jazz, and HEC also lent their support, reflecting broad backing for women’s economic inclusion.
British Council Pakistan Country Director James Hampson stated, “Supporting the entrepreneurial talent of Pakistan’s women is essential for sustainable growth and equality.”
WECON founder Sayyed Masud highlighted the importance of leveraging women’s potential: “If we do not utilise the potential and intelligence of women, how will we build the fairer, more prosperous Pakistan we dream of?”
Panel discussions explored the distinction between equality and equity, while policy roundtables focused on embedding equity-driven reforms into national entrepreneurship frameworks. Strengthening links between academia, industry, and the TVET sector was also emphasized.
The conference featured women-led startups showcasing innovative business ideas, alongside skill-building sessions on AI, leadership, branding, and digital transformation.
In his closing remarks, National Incubation Centre Islamabad Project Director Sayyed Ahmad Masud reaffirmed the shared commitment to creating an equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem for all.
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