Karachi (AsiaNews) – Caritas Pakistan’s Karachi chapter (Sindh province) held a workshop on 16 November as part of a broad strategy to help women in their quest for economic empowerment. This especially important for Christian women who suffer gender and religious discrimination.
The seminar was held at the St Thomas Parish Church, Shahbaz Goth, Karachi, a poor area, where initiatives for the most marginalised groups are in short supply.
Recently Caritas conducted a survey among local residents, with a special focus on women. This led to the idea of organising a day dedicated to women's entrepreneurship, particularly Christian women.
Thus last Monday, a workshop gave participants a chance to develop skills to make small crafts, like candles and soap. Sixteen women from the Shahbaz Goth area took part in the seminar.
Social mobiliser Javed Iqbal told AsiaNews that the goal was to "teach and develop entrepreneurial skills among poor women and marginalised members of religious minorities."
Mansha Noor, executive secretary of the Karachi chapter of Caritas Pakistan, handed out candle and soap samples to the women. “We organised the training workshop to help participants learn ways to make a living by starting their own small enterprises and using their specific knowledge and skills.”
There was great enthusiasm among participants. Many want more of such initiatives to boost women’s role, especially Christian women in a predominantly Muslim society.
For Nasreen Yousaf, the workshop is useful to "open the door" to the labour market, and create "small businesses".
Echoing this, a local volunteer, Shahzad, said, "We are optimistic that participants will use their new skills to improve their economic opportunities in the future."