The Karachi-Electric, National Foods, Engro Corp and Standard Chartered have partnered with an entrepreneurial innovator, CIRCLE Pakistan, to embark on a programme – Elevate Pakistan – that commits to empowering women in the workplace. Elevate Pakistan is a programme and advocacy campaign created by CIRCLE Pakistan, a social enterprise focused on increasing women’s participation in the economy. CIRCLE Pakistan was founded by Sadaffe Abid, former COO and CEO of Kashf Foundation, a leading microfinance organisation in the country. Over 1,000 have publicly pledged to the #ElevatePak, a pledge aimed at increasing women’s visibility in professional life. A key portion of Elevate Pakistan is the Elevate Programme in collaboration with the four major companies listed above. Starting with a kick off session on September 21, CIRCLE Pakistan will mentor and lead a group of 20 women strategically selected to benefit from industry experts such as United Bank Limited CEO Sima Kamil and Dr Severine Minot from the Habib University. The four corporations participating in the Elevate Programme represent the major industry leaders in Pakistan. Each of the companies is helmed by male CEO, a testament to Elevate’s goal in incorporating male allies in the pathway to women’s empowerment. The commitment to women’s empowerment by Engro Corp, National Foods, Standard Chartered and K-Electric is a major milestone in Pakistan’s business community. As women’s rights in Pakistan progress, a commitment from heavy-hitting corporations indicates a crucial step forward for professional women working here. Pakistani women’s participation in the workplace is growing, but a strategy aimed at helping them grow and progress with their organisations’ support, while addressing challenges they may face in the workplace, provides a clear path, which ensures those numbers will continue to rise. The Elevate programme addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5, 8, and 17, the internationally recognised markers of progress. CIRCLE Pakistan, along with the four participating organisations, are available for comment upon request. Published in Daily Times, September 24th 2017.