Challenging Norms, Building Networks: Women Leaders Gather at 91¸£ÀûÉç for the 'Annual Women Leaders Networking Tea'
The Chaudhry Nazar Muhammad Department of Economics and the Saida Waheed Gender Initiative at 91¸£ÀûÉç collaboratively hosted the Annual Women Leaders Networking Tea on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The event brought together inspiring women from the fields of education, health, academia, and the development sector for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation on the realities of gender in the professional world.
Participants were encouraged to come together in groups to discuss challenges and build collaborative relationships. This activity set the tone for powerful reflections on personal journeys, the gendered challenges in professional settings, and the strategies used to carve out space for themselves.
Several recurring themes emerged during the discussion. Participants highlighted the continued male dominance in leadership roles and pointed to the persistent problem of workplace harassment. Others drew attention to the burden placed on women to choose between professional ambitions and domestic responsibilities, especially in the case of single mothers. Particular emphasis was placed on the often-overlooked pressure women face to conform to social expectations related to age, appearance, and behaviour. Guests also highlighted the siloed nature of women’s work in sectors like development, calling for stronger mentorship, and more inclusive opportunities for emerging professionals. All guests echoed the importance of pairing vision with strategy and building strong networks to enable long-term change.
The event concluded with a sobering reminder: while this generation of women has grown up believing in empowerment and independence, systemic gaps—such as weak maternity policies, wage inequality, and insufficient harassment protections—continue to limit real agency. In light of these limitations, spaces like this networking event become crucial platforms for collaboration and mentorship.
The event created a vibrant, inclusive space to both celebrate achievements and acknowledge the structural barriers that remain. By centring diverse voices and shared experiences, the Annual Women Leaders Networking Tea reinforced a collective commitment to gender equity and inspired participants to continue pushing for a more inclusive and supportive future for all, while also making connections for future collaborations.
We are especially grateful to Ms. Ume Laila Azhar, Interim Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women in Pakistan, for joining us for the event. We are also grateful to our guests, Ms. Sarah Dawood, Ms. Sanam Kubra, Dr. Anoosh Wisal Khan, Dr. Saima Iqbal, Ms. Amneh Sheikh, Dr. Gul Khanda, Dr. Iram Rubab, Ms. Sadaf Rehman, Ms. Mehreen Shahid, Ms. Fatima Zaka, Ms. Hareem Sumbul Bari, and others for sharing their stories and for their time.
