UN Women has recognised 17 businesses and leaders for their efforts to advance gender equality at the 2026 Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards in Pakistan, with recipients selected across seven categories from 52 applicants nationwide, including major corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The 2026 Pakistan WEPs Awards were organised by UN Women Pakistan in partnership with Derien and Soorty, with Geo News as the media partner. The awards celebrate initiatives that promote inclusive leadership, strengthen gender-responsive business practices and expand economic opportunities for women across Pakistan.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Jamshed M Kazi, UN Women Pakistan Country Representative, said: “The true measure of business success is not only what companies produce, but whose lives they transform and whose futures they make possible. When women can lead without barriers, work with dignity, access markets on equal terms and shape the decisions that affect their lives, businesses do more than advance gender equality — they help redefine the economy itself. The Pakistan WEPs Awards celebrate those turning this vision into practice and challenge the entire business community to move beyond commitments on paper towards change that women can experience in their everyday lives.”
The chief guest at the award ceremony, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, said: “Women’s economic participation is vital to Pakistan’s social and economic progress. Recognising businesses that promote equal opportunities, inclusive workplaces and women’s leadership sends an important message that gender equality is a shared responsibility. By working together, government, businesses and development partners can help create an enabling environment in which women can participate fully and contribute to the country’s development.”
Keynote speaker, Nishat Fatima, Chief Executive Officer, South Air, highlighted: “Businesses have a vital role to play in advancing gender equality by ensuring that women have equal opportunities to contribute, grow and lead. Empowering women is not only the right thing to do, but it also strengthens organisations, drives innovation and contributes to a more inclusive and prosperous Pakistan. The WEPs Awards celebrate those making this commitment a reality.”
The ceremony celebrated visionary business leaders and initiatives advancing gender equality in workplaces, marketplaces and communities. It recognised organisations pioneering gender-inclusive policies, integrating gender perspectives into their products, services and value chains, strengthening inclusive procurement and building partnerships that support women’s empowerment.
The awards also highlighted the role of technology and artificial intelligence in advancing gender equality and recognised SMEs taking meaningful steps towards more inclusive business practices.
The national winners will be considered for the regional 2026 Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards, alongside national winners from other countries in the region, subject to regional eligibility and confirmation of the final arrangements. The regional ceremony is scheduled to take place and be broadcast on December 1, 2026 via the UN Women Asia-Pacific YouTube channel.
Pakistan’s champions across award categories
The 2026 Pakistan WEPs Awards recognise recipients across seven categories, with a total of 17 winners and runner-up recognitions.
Leadership Commitment
- First runner-up: Dr Muhammad Suleman, SAFCO Microfinance Company Pvt. Ltd.
- Second runner-up: Zunaira Omar Saqib, The Square Peg (SMC-Private) Limited
Gender-Inclusive Workplace
- Winner: Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited
- First runner-up: Abacus
- Second runner-up: Artistic Milliners Pvt. Ltd.
Gender-Responsive Marketplace
- Winner: Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company
- First runner-up: Walee Financial Services Private Limited
- Second runner-up: The Bank of Punjab
Inclusive Procurement
Championed by WE RISE Together
- Winner: JAZZWorld – PMCL
Community Engagement and Partnerships
- Winner: Mobilink Bank
- First runner-up: Engro Fertilizers
- Second runner-up: EFU Life Assurance Ltd.
Technology and AI for Gender Equality
- Winner: HBL
- First runner-up: Bioniks
SME Champions
- Winner: Davaam Life
- First runner-up: Fruit of Sustainability
Pakistan WEPs Awards 2026
The Pakistan WEPs Awards 2026 mark the first national WEPs Awards ceremony in Pakistan, recognising businesses advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Organised by UN Women Pakistan in partnership with Derien and Soorty, with Geo News as media partner, the awards celebrate achievements across seven categories.
The ceremony shines a spotlight on businesses turning commitments into action and creating more inclusive workplaces, markets and opportunities for women across Pakistan.
About UN Women
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. As the lead United Nations entity on gender equality, UN Women works to transform laws, institutions, social norms and services to close the gender gap and build a world where every woman and girl can exercise her rights and realise her full potential. It places the rights of women and girls at the centre of global progress — always and everywhere.
