PESHAWAR WOMEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

“POLICY ADVOCACY PROJECT”

April, 2013

Vice President, Shamama Arbab

CHALLENGES FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN PESHAWAR

Lack of economic participation due to unfavorable traditions

Women entrepreneurs were barred from participating in policy reform process.

Heavily male dominated society Threats from Taliban for Women participation in the

main stream economy. Lack of access to finance Lack business experience and skills Limited knowledge of regulatory provisions Lack of understanding of chamber business

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THE FORMATION OF WOMEN’S CHAMBERS IS PERHAPS THE BEST THING HAPPENED FOR

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN PAKISTAN. DESPITE 51 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, UNTIL 2006,

WOMEN DID NOT HAVE A VOICE IN THE ECONOMIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT, NOW THERE ARE EIGHT

REGISTERED WOMEN’S CHAMBERS TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THEIR MEMBERS. WE ARE YOUNG

CHAMBERS, WE NEED TO IMPROVE OUR STRUCTURE TO BECOME MORE ACTIVE, BUT WE

ARE LEARNING FAST

WOMEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, PESHAWAR (WCCIP)

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Formally registered on August 10, 2010

Over 150 members to date A non-profit, non-political

organization 03 full time employees and First trade association in KPK

focusing on women’s economic empowerment in Khyber Pakhthunkhwa

PWCCI SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Promote and encourage women entrepreneurs through advertising in media and trade fairs/ Exhibitions.

Organize and conduct workshops, conferences for the purpose of capacity building and raising awareness amongst women.

Provides visa recommendation letters to those who wants to establish business outside the country.

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BENEFITS OF FORMATION OF WOMEN CHAMBER

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Women now have the right of trade association. Government officials and different institutions

take women entrepreneurs more seriously Creation of a legal body has given

encouragement to women entrepreneurs to come forward and discuss their business issues.

Women voice being raised in most conservative area of the region

45% Increase in participation of Women Entrepreneurs since 2010.

CIPE AS A CHANGE AGENT

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Built capacity of our board

First grant in 2010 resulted in: Office automation Membership drive Website Capacity building of

staff members

WWW.WCCIP.ORG.PK

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Capacity Building Program for WCCIP Leadership by CIPE

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CELEBRATION OF GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK

First time in the history of KPK Region, Participation of 70 female

students and lecturers from different universities of Pakistan to debate on the challenges and opportunities for the start up university graduates.

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GEW WEEK PHOTOS

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WHY POLICY ADVOCACY?

Over the last two years, chamber on its own has been debating with provincial government for the development of women entrepreneurship in the region, but due to the lack of advocacy skills and funding to support advocacy program from the government, they have not been successful

Through CIPE 2nd grant, Chamber is now working more strategically and looking at key impediments in the women entrepreneurship development and what policy reforms required to remove these issues in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Province.

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ADVOCACY PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To engage key stakeholders such as provincial assembly members, central bank, microfinance institution, academia, students, business community and media in democratic dialogue to identify specific issues related to the development of women entrepreneurship in KPK

To prepare a report based on stakeholder dialogue to embark upon a strategic policy reform project.

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WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS PROJECT 1/5

Two focus group meetings have been held

During the 1st meeting following recommendations have been raised

Financial sector institutions should give soft loans to women businesses.

Through public and private sector partnership spirit of entrepreneurship should be promoted

Setting up a unit in the Chamber for prospective women entrepreneurs to educate them about the dynamics of business and processes involved in setting up a business through public private partnership

The universities should introduce entrepreneurship as a subject. The PWCCI can provide support in developing entrepreneurship curriculum.

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 2/5

2nd Meeting was attended by State Bank & major Financial InstitutionsChief Manager State Bank instructed that local banks should start financial literacy programs to educate women entrepreneurs about business procedure and financial management.The State Bank offered support in conducting a survey in partnership with the Women Chamber about available products by local banks in the KPK region, so that maximum number of women could utilize financial supportThere should be separate SME policy for women, to facilitate women entrepreneurship.

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ACADEMIA AND MEDIA 3/5

Agreed with academia to develop a curriculum for Grade 8 and 9.

Business Idea Competitions. Mentorship, Internships preferences. Media agreed to join hands as a team and create a soft

image. Entrepreneurship societies of the Universities to be linked

with the Chamber for Information Osmosis. Agreed on taking women entrepreneurs on boards of the

universities.

Academia and Media

ANTICIPATED RESULT FOR ADVOCACY INITIATIVE

Better understanding of key policy issues related to the development of women entrepreneurship in KPK.

Encouraging democratic dialogue between key stakeholders on the subject matter, which will encourage discussion on women entrepreneurship in provincial assembly.

Increased media attention to the subject of women entrepreneurship development in KPK Province.

Providing networking opportunities to universities, research and other stakeholder organizations.

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Politicians/Parliamentarians 4/5

Involve and ask for their support in taking it to the legislature.

FINAL ROUND TABLE 5/5Policy Advocacy for Entrepreneurship Development Policy for Women of KPK

Final round table involving all the stake holders and handing over of Policy Document to the legislators.

WAY FORWARD Sustainability of the chamber and keep

moving it forward Road map for next five years and review of the

map every fourth year Developing an effective board Implementation of Good governance and

leadership development Participation of young leadership in chamber

activities Developing and implementing a strategic plan.

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Thank You

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