Breaking down barriers

Women working as assembly-line operators in a home appliance or an automobile brand company in Pakistan is a rare vision that usually raises eyebrows. One wonders what women are doing in a male-dominated field. Another rare sight is women performing welding at a technical and vocational skill training institute, and working hard on their grades to be employed at a leading home appliance or manufacturing company eventually. Women enrolling in such vocational skills courses as welding, electrical, and mechanical trades, all considered non-conventional for women, demonstrate that they have the will to thwart their financial constraints and problems if they are given the opportunity to.

As inflation spirals amidst an ailing economy, many Pakistani women are breaking the myth that they can only be trained in professions related to grooming, stitching and embroidery or handicrafts. Women crossing different frontiers to achieve sustainable livelihoods is heartening as they work towards financial independence. Many have turned the corner to learn non-conventional skills that will get them good jobs in the manufacturing or automobile sector. One witnesses this reality unfold at The Hunar Foundation’s Karigar Technical Institute (HKTI) at Korangi, Karachi.

Aiman, 19, never thought she would land in an Assembly Line Operator (ALO) course at The Hunar Foundation last year. For those who don’t know, assembly line operator is an individual or a worker, who construct parts and joins them together to make products like, automobiles, household appliances and electronics. Assembly line operators work in manufacturing, mostly home appliances, electronic goods, transport, and automobiles.

Aiman had completed her intermediate and was teaching at a local school when she heard about this ALO course. “People used to wonder why I enrolled in the ALO course. They used to say that it is not for girls,” she elucidates. “They still say this field is for boys, but when I got a good grade on my course, they realised girls could also learn technical trades. We could also progress,” she says with a smile. Aiman’s father always supported her interest in technical fields. “He says that such technical fields are not restricted to boys only. I joined this course because of my deep interest in technical fields,” she adds.

Aiman is now interning at a leading home appliance company as an assembly line operator. “I want to take up a technical job and make a future by working in a leading home appliance company,” she says in a determined tone.

The Hunar Foundation provides vocational skills training in 40 trades through its 16 institutes nationwide since 2008. The institute is one of the largest non-profit institutes in the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. Trades include conventional, digital, hair and beauty, and healthcare. Other trades include training in customer services, computer operators, office assistants, logistics and supply chain, hospitality experts, etc. So far, in 17 years, 40,000 students have graduated from the Hunar Foundation, of which 71 per cent are economically engaged – working in industry or running small businesses. Around 15 per cent have continued with their studies.

A study was conducted by Urooj Obaid, a researcher, in 2017 on ‘The Role of Technical and Vocational Training in Empowering Young Women in Pakistan’. According to the findings of the study, held under the Pakistan Institute of Development (PIDE), “Despite several skills development initiatives taken by the Government of Pakistan, there are limited training opportunities available for young women. It is believed that women’s participation in the labour force can be an effective approach not only to improve the current status of women in Pakistan but also to improve the social well-being of her family and, eventually, the nation.” It has been observed that despite equipping young women with technical and vocational skills, the role of TVET in empowering young women in Pakistan is moderate. “It is primarily because the realisation of TVET benefits is linked to utilising skills learned at the Institute. The moral, emotional, and financial support from their families and social inhibitions are critically important in making decisions about young women’s education, utilisation of skills, employment, marriage, and mobility. It has been found that the patriarchal nature of societies in Pakistan limits opportunities for young women to engage in economic activities and contribute to family welfare,” says the report.

Another detailed study, ‘Income Patterns of Women Workers in Pakistan – A Case Study of the Urban Manufacturing Sector’, by renowned economist Asad Sayeed states, “In developing countries, participation of women in the labour force is increasing over time. This increased participation is mainly attributed to both ‘push’ as well as ‘pull’ factors. The push of increasing urbanisation, greater demand for consumer goods, and the reduction in the ‘social wage’ has compelled a greater number of women to join the labour force. Similarly, increasing literacy and educational attainment amongst women and the desire for financial independence has created the requisite pull towards remunerative work.”

Skill development - technical and vocational education – can play an essential role in furthering the country’s socio-economic development and the prospering of individuals, families, groups, communities, and societies. It also helps empower marginalised communities of society by building capacity and providing job opportunities.

Hania, 18, another student enrolled in the six-month ALO course, was preparing for MD-CAT exams when she heard about this course in technical vocational training at the Hunar Foundation. “My parents supported my decision to make a future in this field. This was a very different experience for me.” Hania is also interning at the same company as Aiman. “I had not worked before I joined the Hunar Karigar Technical Institute. My parents supported me in joining the ALO course and interning at a leading home appliance company. Every day, when I return from my On-the-Job Training (OJT), they ask me everything about what I learned and how people treat me at work. They want me to perform well in the internship so that I am offered a job in this company,” shares Hania.

Though this field is largely male-dominated, manufacturing companies today are employing women in this area. “Companies are considering women to be inducted in technical jobs because they think women are more responsible and flexible, and their turnover is low,” observes Mr Muhammad Mahmood, Institute Manager at Hunar Karigar Technical Institute. “This is very encouraging for other women and many have followed suit. Women also work similar jobs at textile, pharma, and mobile companies. This is a welcome change,” he adds.

“Assembly Line Operators course was designed in collaboration with the British Asian Trust’s women empowerment drive, last year to train 20 women in mechatronics, electrical, mechanical, and welding, safety, and employability skills,” informs Mr Hafiz Muhammad Bilal, the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Instructor at the Hunar Foundation. Female students were also trained in LED assembling and the manufacturing of washing machines and microwaves. Of these students, 15 female candidates were selected for On-the-Job Training (OJT) at a leading home appliance company,” he expresses.

At Hunar Karigar Technical Institute, the six-month ALO Course involves four months of 20 per cent theoretical training and 80 per cent practical training, followed by eight weeks of On-the-Job Training (OJT). Students’ performances are assessed based on the OJT, and this eventually leads to students receiving job offers from companies.

Hunar’s Karigar Technical Institute is offering another interesting one-month course for women, ‘The Basic Domestic Electrician course’. This course is sponsored by K-Electric and comprises many women-focused components. Last year, 50 females joined the course and completed their On-the-Job training earlier this year. “Women scored very well on the Competency-Based Exams and Viva,” tells Mr Mahmud. “The curriculum also carried a side course in self-defence against harassment. This is a crucial offering for women to save themselves from harassment if they opt to work in this area. This course component trains women to defend themselves in case of an adverse situation,” he shares.

According to The World Population Report (2013), around 18 per cent of the world population consists of young people (10-24 years), of which 85 per cent live in developing countries. Skill development and creating job opportunities for the youth, especially women, are dire needs for achieving financial sustainability and social well-being, thus leading to social and economic empowerment and inclusiveness for men and women to make informed decisions in life.

“I have two more sisters and a brother. My sisters are studying, and my brother is looking for a job. He hasn’t found one yet. My father is handling financial matters alone. I want to do something substantial and to make my name in my chosen field. I want to make my parents proud,” commits Aiman.

“I want to make my future in supply chain or human resource departments eventually. This wonderful opportunity will not only help me get vocational training but also help me progress up the ladder,” utters Hania.

Though poverty alleviation in a developing country like Pakistan remains far-fetched, such heartening stories and visions show hope as women enter male-oriented trades or fields, and breaking down barriers.

They say a nation cannot progress unless its women are economically equipped. One could go an extra mile: A nation’s progress without women is a hollow exercise.

Sumera Naqvi is a development practitioner and a writer. She can be reached at sumera.naqvi@gmail.com