Lahore, Pakistan – April 13, 2025 – In a landmark gathering, major church leaders, political figures, and civil society actors came together to call for empowering women—particularly religious minority girls—through entrepreneurship as a strategic response to workplace harassment and socio-economic exclusion. The meeting, organized by the Youth Development Foundation (YDF), focused on advancing religious freedom, minority rights, and gender equality through practical, collaborative actions. A core outcome of the dialogue was the unified agreement of Pakistan’s major churches that economic empowerment of minority women is critical to ensuring their safety, dignity, and independence. Key participants included: •State Secretary Tristan Azbej – Hungary Helps Program, Government of Hungary •Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu – Senior Minority Leader & Advocate •H.E. Bishop Azad Marshall – Moderator, Church of Pakistan •Dr. Majeed Abel – Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Pakistan •Colonel MacDonald Chandi – Territorial Leader for Leadership Development •Shahid Rehmat – Executive Director, Youth Development Foundation (YDF) •Dr. Jonathan Addleton – Rector and Vice Chancellor, Forman Christian College •Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum – Principal, Kinnaird College for Women •Ms. Sonia Ashir – MPA & Parliamentary Secretary, Human Rights & Minority Affairs •MPA Shakeela Arthur – Member, Punjab Assembly •Pastor Shahzad Murad – Chaplain, Church of Pakistan •Naukhez Khokhar – Minority Rights Activist Earlier in the day, all participants jointly launched the Minority Women Incubation Program, a groundbreaking initiative by YDF, Hungary Helps, and the Department of Human Rights and Minority Affairs (HRMA), Government of Punjab. The program has already empowered 300 minority women with business and leadership skills, enabling them to launch 300 small enterprises. These enterprises are projected to contribute approximately PKR 500 million to Pakistan’s economy—demonstrating both social and economic impact. Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu stated, “This initiative is a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can uplift vulnerable communities and protect the dignity of our minority women.” Bishop Azad Marshall added, “The Church stands united in supporting the economic and social empowerment of our women. Faith and action must go hand in hand to build a just society.” Dr. Majeed Abel emphasized, “Entrepreneurship gives our girls the strength to stand tall in the face of injustice. The Church must continue to lead in creating safe, dignified, and opportunity-rich spaces.” Shahid Rehmat, Executive Director of YDF, remarked, “YDF is proud to work with faith, political, and international partners to build an inclusive and economically empowered future for minority women in Pakistan.” YDF reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender justice and inclusion through collaboration with faith institutions, political actors, and community organizations. #WomenEmpowerment #MinorityRights #FaithInAction #InterfaithHarmony #YDFPakistan #SheStarts