UN Women Pakistan honoured 17 award recipients at the 2026 Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards, recognising businesses and leaders promoting gender equality, inclusive workplaces and women’s economic empowerment across Pakistan.
The biennial awards recognised winners and runners-up across seven categories, following a nationwide selection process involving 52 applicants ranging from major corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
UN Women Pakistan organised the awards in partnership with Derien and Soorty, with GEO serving as media partner.
The ceremony celebrated initiatives strengthening inclusive leadership, gender-responsive business practices, women’s participation in economic activities and equal opportunities across workplaces, marketplaces and communities.
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UN Women Calls for Meaningful Gender Equality
Addressing the ceremony, Jamshed M. Kazi, UN Women Pakistan Country Representative, said businesses should measure their success not only through production and financial performance but also through the lives they transform and opportunities they create.
He emphasised that women must be able to lead without barriers, work with dignity, access markets on equal terms and participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Kazi said the Pakistan WEPs Awards recognised organisations translating gender equality commitments into practical changes while encouraging the broader business community to move beyond promises towards meaningful impact.
Government, Business Leaders Emphasise Women’s Economic Participation
Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Sindh Minister for Local Government and chief guest at the ceremony, said women’s economic participation remained essential to Pakistan’s social and economic development.
He said recognising businesses that promote equal opportunities, inclusive workplaces and women’s leadership reinforced the principle that gender equality was a shared responsibility.
Shah highlighted the importance of cooperation between government, businesses and development partners in creating an enabling environment where women could participate fully in national development.
Nishat Fatima, Chief Executive Officer of South Air and keynote speaker, said businesses had a significant role in ensuring women received equal opportunities to contribute, grow and lead.
She noted that women’s empowerment strengthened organisations, encouraged innovation and supported a more inclusive and prosperous Pakistan.
Pakistan WEPs Awards Recognise Seven Categories
The 2026 awards recognised initiatives promoting gender-inclusive policies, gender-responsive products and services, inclusive procurement, community partnerships and the use of technology to advance equality.
The awards also highlighted SMEs making meaningful progress towards more inclusive business practices.
Leadership Commitment
- Winner: Angel Imdad, Irverde Gogreen Pvt. Ltd.
- First Runner-up: Dr Muhammad Suleman, SAFCO Microfinance Company Pvt. Ltd.
- Second Runner-up: Zunaira Omar Saqib, The Square Peg (SMC-Private) Limited.
Gender-Inclusive Workplace
- Winner: Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited.
- First Runner-up: Abacus.
- Second Runner-up: Artistic Milliners Pvt. Ltd.
Gender-Responsive Marketplace
- Winner: Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company.
- First Runner-up: Walee Financial Services Private Limited.
- Second Runner-up: The Bank of Punjab.
Inclusive Procurement
Championed by WE RISE Together
- Winner: JAZZWorld – PMCL.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
- Winner: Mobilink Bank.
- First Runner-up: Engro Fertilizers.
- Second Runner-up: EFU Life Assurance Ltd.
Technology and AI for Gender Equality
- Winner: HBL.
- First Runner-up: Bioniks.
SME Champions
- Winner: Davaam Life.
- First Runner-up: Fruit of Sustainability.
National Winners to Be Considered for Asia-Pacific Awards
The national winners will be considered for the regional 2026 Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards alongside national winners from other countries, subject to regional eligibility and confirmation of final arrangements.
The regional ceremony is scheduled for December 1, 2026, and will be broadcast through the UN Women Asia-Pacific YouTube channel.
The Women’s Empowerment Principles, developed by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, provide guidance to businesses on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment across workplaces, marketplaces and communities.
According to figures provided in the press release, the global WEPs directory includes more than 13,400 companies, while over 190 companies in Pakistan have joined the network.
Their participation supports efforts to expand equal opportunities, strengthen partnerships, encourage innovation and promote gender equality, corporate responsibility and sustainable socio-economic development across Pakistan and the Asia-Pacific region.
The Pakistan WEPs Awards 2026 further highlighted the growing role of businesses in translating gender equality commitments into practical opportunities for women.
