Pakistan receives Commonwealth award for women empowerment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received the ‘Commonwealth Government Award’ for women’s economic empowerment in a ceremony held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London.

The award was jointly given by the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network and Global Citizen to the government of Pakistan in recognition of the work and impact in women’s empowerment.

The award was received by a representative of the High Commission on behalf of the government of Pakistan, during the Commonwealth Businesswomen Awards held on April 18.

The ceremony was organised by the Commonwealth Businesswomen Network, an accredited organisation focused on women’s leadership and economic empowerment recognised by 53 countries across five continents.

It brings together around 50,000 women working to encourage, enable and embed women in leadership and women’s economic empowerment through trade, talent and training.

The government of Pakistan was acknowledged for securing passage of the anti-honour killings bill in 2016 into legislation, and forging an effective coalition of parliamentarians, NGOs, civil society, academia and media who supported the landmark achievement.

Another award, the Commonwealth Company of the Year Award was conferred upon Engro Foods in recognition for its work towards having a significant impact on women’s economic empowerment in the organization and the wider community.

The award was received by Ms. Nageen Rizvi, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at Engro Foods (Pakistan) and Regional Leader for Asia at the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network.