Rawalpindi, Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) has recently concluded a significant two-day international conference titled “Exploring the Transformative Nexus: Higher Education and Women Empowerment”. The conference, held in collaboration with the Women Empowerment Consortium and Punjab Higher Education Commission, brought together renowned speakers, policymakers, and experts to discuss the role of higher education in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality.
According to Fatima Jinnah Women University, the conference featured insightful discussions on topics including gender competitiveness, leadership roles, societal barriers, and the impact of technology on women’s empowerment. It emphasized the transformative effect of higher education in building confidence, leadership skills, and catalyzing societal change for women.
The conference was inaugurated with a keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Ghada Amer from Misr University for Science and Technology, Egypt, focusing on leveraging technology and innovation to empower women. This was followed by Prof. Dr. Samina Amin Qadir’s address on the professional development challenges faced by women. The event also included online sessions and panel discussions that highlighted the strides women are making in various fields and the importance of women in leadership for a sustainable future.
The conference identified barriers to women’s access to higher education and emphasized collaborative efforts to overcome these challenges, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. The closing ceremony featured addresses by Prof. Dr. Uzaira Rafique, Vice Chancellor of FJWU, and other distinguished guests, including Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza, Dr. Maryam Rab, and Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir. They underscored the conference’s impact in shaping the narrative for gender equality.
The event marked a pivotal step towards empowering women through education, highlighting the need for continued progress in this area. The insights and recommendations from this conference are set to inform policies and initiatives aimed at achieving gender equality in higher education and beyond.