EU ambassador pledges support for women empowerment

Islamabad:Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan EU Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Riina Kionka on Wednesday said the EU was committed to supporting initiatives that enhance human capital and empower women in Pakistan.

“I am excited to lay the foundation for a modern TVET centre that will prepare women for the digital transition, empowering them with the latest technological skills and fostering economic growth in the province,” Dr Riina told the ground-breaking ceremony for the Centre of Excellence under the Team Europe’s TVET Sector Support Programme at the IM SCIENCES. She said the initiative marked a significant step towards equipping women with cutting-edge skills in artificial intelligence, robotics, internet of things, and data science-all critical fields for Pakistan’s growing digital economy.

"The programme is part of the broader Team Europe Initiative involving the EU, France, Germany and Italy to build back better through green jobs creation, but also contributes to the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative in which the EU is trying to leverage public and private sector investments, including by investing in skills of young people in Pakistan," she said.

Country Director for the British Council in Pakistan James Hampson introduced the programme and highlighted its role in promoting gender equality through inclusive access to high-tech training. “The launch of this centre of excellence under the EU-funded TVET Sector Support Programme is a game-changer for women's economic empowerment in Pakistan. By equipping women with cutting-edge digital and high-tech skills, this initiative will not only transform individual futures but also drive lasting change in the country’s workforce and economy,” he said.

According to officials, the TVET Sector Support Programme (TVET SSP) is a five-year programme designed to strengthen Pakistan's TVET sector, by providing training opportunities to men and women in high-demand professions. The action aims to advance Pakistan’s human capital development through creation of decent jobs in green and digital areas.