WECON 2025 pushes for equity-driven reforms to uplift women entrepreneurs

WEB DESK: ISLAMABAD: The Women Entrepreneurship Conference (WECON) 2025 convened in the capital on Wednesday, bringing together policymakers, business leaders and innovators to push for stronger, equity-based support systems for women entrepreneurs across Pakistan.

Held at the Pak-China Friendship Centre and co-hosted by Change Mechanics Pvt. Ltd. and the British Council, the sixth edition of WECON centred on the theme Masawaat, or equity, highlighting the need to dismantle systemic barriers that restrict women’s participation in the economy.

Speakers and panellists from both the public and private sectors examined how policy reforms, institutional collaboration and targeted support can expand opportunities for women-led businesses. Institutions including the SECP, FBR, Pakistan Single Window, GSMA, NAVTTC, Ignite, TiE Islamabad, Invest2Innovate and UNDP joined discussions on building a more gender-responsive entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The event also saw support from universities, tech groups and financial institutions such as Karandaaz, Mobilink Bank, FJWU, the All-Pakistan Women’s Universities Consortium, Google Developer Groups Islamabad, Code for Pakistan, Jazz and the Higher Education Commission, signalling broad-based backing for women’s economic inclusion.

British Council Pakistan Country Director James Hampson said the organisation was committed to advancing equality. “It makes sense to support efforts to unleash the entrepreneurial talent of Pakistan’s women,” he said.

WECON founder Sayyed Masud invoked the spirit of the 1979 feminist film Aurat Raj, urging the audience to rethink their approach: “If we do not utilise the potential and intelligence of women, how will we ever build the fairer, more prosperous Pakistan we all dream of?”

Panel discussions explored the difference between equity and equality, while policy roundtables focused on embedding equity into national entrepreneurship frameworks and strengthening links between academia, industry and the TVET sector.

The conference also spotlighted women-led startups, with founders presenting innovative business ideas across sectors. Skill-building sessions on AI, leadership, branding and digital transformation equipped participants with tools for the future.

In closing remarks, National Incubation Centre Islamabad Project Director Sayyed Ahmad Masud reaffirmed the shared commitment to building an equitable entrepreneurial landscape for all.