WECON 2025 Drives Equity for Women Entrepreneurs

WECON 2025 brought powerful conversations on the WECON women equity agenda to Islamabad. The conference gathered policymakers, innovators and business leaders for an energetic discussion on inclusive growth. The goal was clear: build stronger systems that support women entrepreneurs across Pakistan.
The event took place at the Pak China Friendship Centre. It was co sponsored by Change Mechanics Pvt. Ltd. and the British Council. The theme Masawaat, meaning equity, guided every session and highlighted the need to remove barriers that limit women’s economic participation.
Speakers stressed that sustainable progress requires fair opportunities. In addition, they have called for reforms that address the root causes of inequality. Their discussions focused on how structural gaps continue to restrict women-led businesses.

Collaboration and Reform

Leaders from public and private institutions joined the conversation. Representatives from SECP, FBR, Pakistan Single Window, GSMA, NAVTTC, Ignite, TiE Islamabad, Invest2Innovate and UNDP shared insights on improving the ecosystem. They agreed that collaboration is essential for meaningful change.
Support also came from universities, tech groups and financial institutions. Karandaaz, Mobilink Bank, FJWU, the All Pakistan Women’s Universities Consortium, Google Developer Groups Islamabad, Code for Pakistan, Jazz and HEC participated. Their involvement showed strong national backing for women’s economic inclusion.
British Council Pakistan Country Director James Hampson reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to equality. He noted that supporting women’s entrepreneurial talent benefits the entire country. His views aligned with the conference’s focus on inclusive economic growth.
WECON founder Sayyed Masud referenced the classic feminist film Aurat Raj. He encouraged the audience to rethink their approach to progress. He asked how Pakistan could advance without using the intelligence and potential of its women.
Different panels examined the gap between equity and equality. Meanwhile, policy roundtables highlighted how national frameworks can embed equity more deeply. Participants also explored how academia, industry and the TVET sector can work more closely.
The conference showcased innovative women-led startups. These founders presented fresh ideas across multiple industries. In addition, participants attended training sessions on AI, leadership, branding and digital transformation.
National Incubation Centre Islamabad Project Director Sayyed Ahmad Masud closed the event. He renewed the shared commitment to building an equitable entrepreneurship landscape for everyone in Pakistan.