The first-ever Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Accessibility and Inclusion Job Fair and the 5th Khadija Tul Kubra Awards, organised by the U.S. Mission in Pakistan in partnership with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) and HelpAge International, concludes in Islamabad. The dynamic yet inclusive event brought together over 180 policy makers, senior government officials, U.N. delegates, Chamber of Commerce representatives, job seekers, employers, and industry leaders in an effort to foster meaningful connections for facilitating inclusive career advancement.

Creating Connections for a More Inclusive Future

The dynamic job fair offering a chance of employment with on-the-spot interviews was one of the key highlights of the event. The job fair kicked off with registration by the aspiring candidates from across Pakistan through an accessible job portal, demonstrating a strong interest in exploring career opportunities and networking with potential employers.

Breaking Down Barriers to Employment

While addressing the audience, U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome remarked: “It’s remarkable – and inspiring – to see so many members of the business community, along with all the qualified jobseekers, here tonight.  Equity, accessibility, and inclusion in hiring and in the workplace should be a cornerstone principle for any organization, business, and government.  Ensuring all employees have the tools and resources to succeed in the workplace benefits us all.”

At the opening of the Job Fair, Abia Akram- STEP stated “Persons with disabilities make up an estimated one billion, or 15 per cent, of the world’s population. About 80 percent of these are of working age. The right of persons with diverse disabilities to decent work, however, is frequently denied. Persons with disabilities, particularly women with disabilities, face enormous attitudinal, physical, and informational barriers to equal opportunities in the work domain. Compared to non-disabled persons, they experience higher rates of unemployment and economic inactivity and are at greater risk of insufficient social protection that is a key to reducing extreme poverty.” PUAN and STEP, with the support and encouragement of U.S. Mission and the parliamentarians such as MNA Ms. Human Chugtai, officials from planning commission, and other Government of Pakistan designators are on their way to bridge the gap between industries, the corporate sector, and academia.

Celebrating Achievements and Inspiring Change

After the job fair, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome handed over 10 Khadija Tul Kubra Awards to acknowledge the achievements and contributions of distinguished women with disabilities who provided support, leadership, advocacy, service, and education to increase the social, economic, and civic participation of women with disabilities in Pakistan. 

A panel discussion “Bridging Horizons: Inclusivity and Economic Empowerment for People with Disabilities in Pakistan” also took place, the experts from NDMA (Ms, Zulekha), MNA, Ms. Huma Chugtai, ILO Country Head Mr. Geir T. Tonstol, Deputy Representative UNFPA, Ms. Latika Maskey Pradhan, President Rawalpindi Women Chamber of Commerce Ms. Sabohi Hussain, Director HR-Mobilink Bank Mr. Haroon Khan and Executive Director SPRC Dr.  Safdar Sohail participated in penal.

The panel discussed how discourse policies and initiatives are being implemented or planned by the various sectors and departments of Government and its partners’ organizations to promote economic empowerment for people with disabilities in Pakistan and how these are aligned with broader sustainable development goals. 

Further the penal emphasized a mechanism to measures and facilitate the promotion of employment opportunities for disabled workers should be devised by the partners promoting inclusion with support of Government of Pakistan to conform the employment and salary standards applicable to workers. The recommendation reminds corporate sectors and employers that such measures should include the making of reasonable adaptations to workplaces, job design, tools, machinery and work organization to facilitate training and employment which aligns with the increasing shift away from the “caring” to the “rights” model.

MNA, Ms. Human Chugtai said, “I am sure that the implementation of the legislation is critically important on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Pakistan, to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.”  

A Call for Continued Action

The event concluded by taking the pledge during the mentorship and networking dinner in which diverse companies, organizations, and individuals working on accessibility-focused projects promoted inclusive development and encouraged collaboration.

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