Building dreams

Pakistan, a country with significant entrepreneurial potential, is home to many ambitious women who see business as both a pathway to financial independence and a means to make a difference. Every November 19th, the world celebrates Women’s Entrepreneurship Day - a tribute to women who’ve not only ventured into business but also battled social norms, financial barriers, and limited access to resources.

Pakistan, like many other countries, operates within a patriarchal framework where women face an uphill battle in achieving entrepreneurial success. For every man who starts a business, there are only 0.80 women - reflecting a gender gap rooted in societal structures that assign different roles to men and women. This gap, fuelled by limited access to capital, training, and networks, is one that female entrepreneurs in Pakistan are determined to close.

As highlighted in the ‘Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Women’s Entrepreneurship Report’, women in low-income countries often encounter additional obstacles when starting and growing businesses. This is particularly true in a country where traditional gender roles position men as breadwinners and women as homemakers. These societal expectations hinder women’s access to critical resources such as capital, land, and business networks, limiting their ability to fully participate in the economy. However, despite the obstacles, women have managed to make their mark and how!

Their journeys are challenging but also an inspiring. While obstacles may be many, the success stories that emerge from these journeys serve as reminders of resilience and determination. To truly understand their trials and triumphs, we need to look into the lives of those who’ve faced these barriers head-on - and thrived against the odds.

Digital game-changers

For the majority of Pakistani women with entrepreneurial ambitions, the path forward is daunting. Female-led SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) in Pakistan struggle with accessing finance, as societal biases and collateral constraints often leave them out of formal financial networks. “It’s not just about starting a business,” explains Nadia Patel Gangjee, founder of Femprow, a social enterprise focused on financial empowerment for women. “Women are frequently underestimated or discouraged by financial institutions. They’re seen as ‘high-risk’ clients, which often limits their options,” she adds.

Nadia’s platform was founded in 2019 with the goal of addressing these barriers through education, community, and capacity-building. With partnerships that include giants like Meta’s #SheMeansBusiness programme, her platform has trained over 8,000 women entrepreneurs from across Pakistan and 20 other countries, offering a lifeline to women who would otherwise have little access to business resources.

Nadia’s goal is to foster a supportive network that empowers women with the skills they need to succeed. “Your network is your net worth,” she stresses. “For women entrepreneurs, this is particularly true. Having access to a community that understands your challenges can make all the difference.”

The community-based approach has proven to be a powerful tool for women in business. In a culture where traditional roles often prevent women from networking as freely as men, platforms like these provide safe spaces for women to learn, share, and support each other’s growth.

What’s remarkable about these women isn’t just their resilience, but their adaptability. For many, this digitalisation has been a game-changer, allowing them to reach broader markets with minimal infrastructure. But the gender digital divide remains a pressing issue, particularly in rural areas where many women lack access to the internet and digital tools.

Initiatives like Aurat Raaj has emerged as a ground-breaking platform dedicated to ending gender inequality in Pakistan through artificial intelligence and machine learning. Founded by Saba Khalid in 2017, the platform creates accessible digital content that educates young Pakistani women about taboo subjects such as sexual health and personal safety. “For many women in Pakistan, access to information about health and rights is limited, if not completely inaccessible,” Saba explains. “Our goal is to provide that information in a way that’s approachable and engaging.”

It provides initiatives such as a chatbot that answers women’s questions about reproductive health and an animated series on gender violence, providing aid for women in need of guidance and support. Saba hopes her platform will break the silence around issues that affect women across Pakistan, especially in rural and conservative communities. “If we want women to thrive, they need access to information that empowers them,” she elucidates.

Her work illustrates a broader point: for women to succeed in business, they need not just financial resources but also educational and social support. Access to information and the freedom to ask questions without judgment can be as crucial to an entrepreneur’s journey as capital or mentorship.

The focus on purpose-driven business is a recurring theme among Pakistani women entrepreneurs. For Tanzila Khan, founder of Girlythings.pk, her work is rooted in activism and advocacy for women’s health. Girlythings.pk offers menstrual health products to women across Pakistan, but her ambitions go beyond business. “We’re here to change the conversation about menstrual health in Pakistan,” she says. Her innovative approach has led her to create a mobile app and an urgent menstrual kit delivery service, addressing a need that’s often ignored.

Her work has earned international recognition, including the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award in 2022. Yet, her achievements don’t stop there. Through her NGO, Creative Alley, Tanzila also offers training and empowerment projects to the community. “I want young women to feel proud of their bodies and confident in seeking the resources they need,” she shares. “Starting a business was a way to address an urgent issue, but it’s also about creating change.”

Redefining food business

In an era where convenience often overshadows nutrition, a growing wave of entrepreneurs is determined to change the narrative around food. These innovators are bringing healthier options to the market, with a focus on homemade, organic, and nutrient-rich products, especially for children. Among them is Maliha Ahmed, founder of SARR’s Kitchen, whose journey began with a simple mission: to create wholesome alternatives in a world increasingly dominated by processed snacks.

As a mother, Maliha witnessed first-hand the rise of junk food in children’s diets and felt a responsibility to offer something better. “My journey started with a WhatsApp group,” she shares. “I wanted to create a community around healthy eating for children. This wasn’t just a business idea – it was personal.” What began as a small community chat evolved into a thriving business centred on providing homemade, organic snacks and meals for kids. Maliha’s commitment and innovation have even garnered attention in well-known magazines.

Her dedication to promoting healthy eating for children led her to connect with the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN), a global movement aimed at improving nutrition, especially for children. Through SARR’s Kitchen, Maliha is not only redefining snack time but also contributing to a larger mission of fostering healthier futures. The support of SBN proved instrumental. “SBN’s resources and network have been invaluable,” Maliha states. “Their training and e-business directory helped me reach a wider audience and refine my business strategies.”

While Maliha’s business story is rooted in health and nutrition, Shaista Asif co-founded PureHealth in 2006, a healthcare enterprise that’s reshaping the industry in the UAE and beyond. Recognised in Forbes’ ‘100 Most Powerful Women’ list for 2024, her journey highlights the scalability of women-led ventures.

A massive expansion in her business, including a recent acquisition of the UK’s Circle Health Group, underscores the potential impact of women entrepreneurs when given opportunities to lead. Shaista’s journey is a reminder of how women in leadership can drive economic and social change on a grand scale.

Creating an enabling environment

However, navigating the male-dominated world of business is not just about technology and finance; it’s about breaking societal norms. Traditional gender roles still dictate that men should be the primary earners while women manage the household. This can isolate women entrepreneurs, limiting their networking opportunities and exposure to broader business circles.

As the entrepreneurial ecosystem grows, there is a pressing need for multi-agency cooperation to create a more inclusive environment. According to Muhammad Azam Roomi, Professor of Entrepreneurship/Vice Dean - Faculty, Research and EXED at M Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business, and an advocate for women’s entrepreneurship, “A collaborative effort between government agencies, media, and education systems can catalyse change. Government policies that offer incentives for women-led businesses or mandate gender-sensitive procurement can open doors for women entrepreneurs.”

Financial literacy is another area where women entrepreneurs are often at a disadvantage. While some have formal education, many learn on the job, figuring out budgeting, cash flow management, and pricing as they go. This often results in women pricing their products too low, a phenomenon driven by societal expectations.

In addition to financial literacy, social capital plays a crucial role. In this field, it’s often connections that open doors. From societal expectations to economic crises, including inflation and rising costs of basic resources, the situation is volatile. “One day you’re planning for growth, the next you’re dealing with a surge in gas prices that puts a strain on your budget,” shares Maliha. This unpredictability underscores the need for systemic reform.

A key component of this reform must be inclusive policies that support women’s access to business resources. Creating an enabling environment for female entrepreneurs is essential for economic development. In Pakistan, this means improving access to finance, expanding training programmes, and establishing a legal framework that supports female-led SMEs. Private-public partnerships can also play a critical role, providing the stability and support necessary for businesses to thrive amid economic fluctuations.

As the GEM report reveals, one in six women globally intends to start a business, and low-income countries like Pakistan boast some of the highest rates of entrepreneurial ambition among women. This ambition reflects a hunger for change, a desire to contribute, and a vision for a more inclusive economy. With the right support, Pakistan can harness this potential, building an entrepreneurial ecosystem that’s as diverse and dynamic as its people.

Despite the hurdles, these women are resilient, resourceful, and passionate. From tech and textiles to food and social services, they’re not only transforming industries but also challenging deep-rooted stereotypes.

The writer is a subeditor at You! magazine. She can be reached at wallia_khairi@hotmail.com