KARACHI: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI) has announced a pledge by its members that aims to create more inclusive workplaces and empower women in the workforce across Pakistan. The pledge was announced today in collaboration with UN Women as part of an ambition to achieve the UN’s sustainable development goals towards gender equality and to serve as an inspiration for businesses in Pakistan and beyond. To further this commitment over the next three years, OICCI members will focus on establishing a conducive environment that enhances gender equality and develop women for high level corporate leadership. In moving towards realisation of gender equality and women empowerment, UN Women Pakistan provides support to innovative initiatives that promote women’s human rights, with special focus on their economic security, political participation and protection from violence. OICCI Managing Committee President Khalid Mansoor said, “OICCI members have a strong commitment towards gender balancing and have pledged to support initiatives towards empowering women in the socioeconomic growth of Pakistan.” UN Women Pakistan Country Representative Jamshed Kazi mentioned that, “empowering women within the growing corporate sector is a challenge where, we believe, the private sector can be the agent of change to build a healthy environment; where gender equality is considered a reality, encouraging more women to gain confidence in their ability to assume senior management positions including as CEOs and member of the board of directors”. OICCI CSR Subcommittee Chairman Bruno Olierhoek said, “The OICCI Women initiative wants to propose a concrete way forward, a “how to” manual, helping organisations to have women-friendly work environment. I believe that OICCI together with UN Women can start a movement, in Pakistan, by promoting this simple and pragmatic approach and thus making a real impact.” Shazia Syed, co-chair, added, “It is our responsibility as business leaders to recognise the business case for gender equality and diversity in the workplace. Today, we have provided a roadmap built on best practices within Pakistan’s industry to empower women for sustainable success.” During the panel discussion, the CEOs and senior management of multinational companies spoke about practices of their companies which help them retain female talent and emphasised on their importance to be promoted in all organisations for gender-equality. These practices included providing security and support for relocating, work with home-day care, maximising their potential by making lean-in circles and formulating female orientated mentorship network The OICCI members will further work to increase advocacy among members as well as voicing the initiative to support formulating policies at government level which would benefit gender diversity at workplaces in the country. As part of their commitment to Pakistan, the OICCI has dedicated the CSR Report for 2016-17 to creating a platform for women empowerment and gender equality. This aims at bringing all OICCI members under one umbrella for a concerted effort towards achieving the vision of the United Nation’s sustainable development goals and becoming a source of inspiration for other businesses in Pakistan and beyond. Published in Daily Times, November 22nd 2017.