USAID and PREIA together for training women business chambers

Group selfie with the trainers Mr. Hammad Siddiqui and Mr. Huzaifa Shabbir

The next round of Women Leadership in Trade Policy (WLTP) by USAID, that WCCIM became a part of, in January 2017- took place on 26th-28th July, the same year, in Serena hotel Islamabad. Participants selected from the workshops in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi were invited to take part, with complete provision of lodgings at the same hotel. From Multan, Masooma Sibtain, Filza Akbar, Novaira Fahad and Fariha Munir were invited. As Masooma and Novaira were out of country for summer vacations, only Fariha and Filza were able to attend these workshops.

The cynosure of this program was, enhancing knowledge and skills on planning active and effective advocacy campaigns. Also to introduce some of the best practices under advocacy action planning. 'Proposal writing' and 'financial reporting' were also treated as polestar. As the honorable trainer Mr. Hammad Siddiqui explained later. These organizations, which arranged these trainings are well aware of the availability of funds for the benefit of female entrepreneurs and social workers, by international donors for trade policy and gender related subjects. Unfortunately, people are unaware of accessing those channels and proper methods to acquire them. Sound proposal writing skills and financial management help develop transparency and target the goals effectively.

The participants were from Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Karachi. Which turned out to be a great platform for them to connect on national level, alongwith acquiring knowledge from extremely accomplished and seasoned trainers from CIPE, Mr. Hammad Siddiqui and Mr. Huzaifa Shabbir. 9 am to 5 am training sessions prove to be quite a tiresome routine but these trainers simply mesmerized the audience with their expertise. They kept them awake and on their toes by involving each and every person through interactions, break up activities, running tea coffee, lunch, served alongwith the learning.

Shamama Arbab from Peshawar, Mr. Aamer Bhandara, Mr. Fouad Bajwa, Shazia Salman, Falahat Imran and Nudrat from Lahore. Mehreen Ilahi, Shaiyanne Malik from Karachi, Fatima from Islamabad, Filza Akbar, Fariha Munir from Multan, alongwith others, remained actively involved.

Special guest speakers were also invited to share their experiences with this esteemed group of participants from all over the country. And on the very first day, they were simply thrilled to meet the living legend, the very proficient, Jehan-Ara from PASHA. Where she shared her success story, she went on to point out the opportunities available for females and the youth. An inspiration that she is, Jehan Ara was truly admired and appreciated by the audience and remained a focal point for photography and selfies. The guest speaker for second day was Dr. Vaqar, who also shared his success story and lifetime experiences about effective proposal writing, which lead him to great achievements. Through presentations, these guests shared the tricks of their trades with attendees of the trainings.

The final day was dedicated to financial management, lead by Mr. Huzaifa Shabbir. As the session was in full swing, on Friday, 28th July, the news broke about disqualification and dismissal of former prime minister of Pakistan. As security measures for the safe return of participants, USAID team immediately dismissed rest of the training. Everybody was sent home. Rest of the reading material and presentations were shared with them through emails.

It was indeed three superb days dedicated to acquisition of knowledge, in the lap of luxury - Serena hotel in the scenic capital of Pakistan. For some of the participants, this journey with USAID may end but the learning and the memories of it, will never end. On behalf of all the participants, the writer of this post thanks you all!! Tayeba Batool and Asma for co-ordination and management, Mr. Muhammad Asfar, for arrangements of the logistics, Mr. Faisal Butt for organizing such a fabulous program. Mr. Huzaifa Shabbir for fantastic training session and the presentations. And Mr. Hammad Siddiqui for brining everything together and teaching new lessons.

Thanks a lot, USAID, PREIA and CIPE for this wonderful opportunity. We truly admire your efforts for enlightening and educating Pakistanis at every level in life.