Centre of Excellence in Responsible Business

Explore CERB's work on Gender Inclusion and Strategy in this Newsletter. Attended our workshops before? Share your experience below! If you would like to collaborate with us for future workshops on Gender Strategy, reach out to us at [email protected] #InternationalWomensDay #IWD25 #WomeninLeadership #GenderStrategy #DEI #Inclusion

Powerful statement from Dr. Zeelaf Munir. This is the kind of commitment and action that is needed.

This International Women’s Day 2025, CERB celebrates a historic milestone! ?? We are proud to announce the induction of Dr. Zeelaf Munir as the first female Chairperson of The Pakistan Business Council. Her leadership marks a significant step toward greater gender diversity in corporate governance, paving the way for more women to take on influential roles in Pakistan’s private sector. As we continue advocating for inclusive leadership, this moment reinforces the importance of breaking barriers and empowering women at the highest levels of decision-making. We need more women in boardrooms, and Dr. Zeelaf marks the stepping stone for all future leaders. Watch full video here: https://lnkd.in/d_JPr_87 #IWD2025 #WomenInLeadership #BreakingBarriers #DiversityAndInclusion #InternationalWomensDay #AccelerateAction #GenderEquity #GenderInclusion EBM

Gender equality isn’t just a one-day conversation—it’s a continuous effort to build inclusive, equitable workplaces where women can lead and thrive. This International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate the impact of our Gender Strategy Workshops, helping businesses turn inclusion into action. At CERB, we partner with organizations to bridge gender gaps and develop sustainable strategies for real change. Here’s how: ? Breaking Barriers: Preparing Women for Leadership – In collaboration with National Foods Limited, this workshop empowered women with the skills and confidence to step into leadership roles, strengthening the talent pipeline for inclusive workplaces. ? Building Blocks for Successful Gender Strategies – Partnering with Engro Fertilizers Ltd, we guided businesses in embedding gender inclusion into their core strategies, ensuring diversity is not just a commitment but a measurable outcome. ? Developing a Robust Gender Strategy for Textile Companies – With MG Apparel, we addressed industry-specific challenges, helping textile companies implement actionable gender strategies in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Workplaces thrive when women are supported, leadership is diverse, and policies drive real inclusion. This #IWD2025, let’s commit to more than just words—let’s take action for lasting change. Have you attended our workshops? Share your experience and a workplace policy that has worked for you! ?? #InternationalWomensDay #GenderEquality #InclusiveWorkplaces #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenAtWork #BreakingBarriers #GenderStrategyWorkshops #WomenInLeadership Engro Asma Yusuf (she, her) Ivana Bajamic Aliyah Mohyeddin Kehkeshan Usman Noreen Akhtar Beenish Kajani Nida Qureshi Nabila Zar Malick Faiza Savul Zoha Saqib Gull Zareen Khan Amber Imran Reshma Aftab Anam Fatima Khan Arzoo Mahmood Muhammad Saad Khan The Pakistan Business Council

?? New This Week at CERB! Stay updated on our latest initiatives, insights, and programs driving diversity, equity, and sustainability in the workplace. Check out what’s new: ??

Accelerating Action: Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace | #IWD2025 At the current rate of progress, gender parity won’t be achieved until 2158—five generations from now. That’s far too long. We must accelerate action. As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, CERB led a crucial conversation on the role of HR and DEI teams in shaping company policies that address domestic violence and provide meaningful support for employees. Our webinar, hosted by Safia Hussain (Programme Coordinator, CERB), featured insightful discussions with Fathema Zuberi (Director HR, Unilever Pakistan), Rabia Khattak (Head of DEI, JAZZ), and guest speaker Zahrah Sehr Vayani (Assistant Attorney General for Pakistan, CEO & Founder, Zahrah S. Vayani & Associates). Ending violence against women isn’t just a social issue—it’s a workplace issue. Businesses must step up, create safe work environments, and drive real change. ?? How is your organization accelerating action for gender equality? Share your thoughts in the comments! Watch here: https://lnkd.in/dQXqjXyW #AccelerateAction #IWD2025 #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #DiversityAndInclusion #WorkplaceEquality #CERB

?? Vulnerability: A Strength for Inclusive Leadership | #IWD2025 True leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about embracing vulnerability as a tool for growth, inclusivity, and meaningful change. When leaders create space for openness and reflection, they build diverse, empowered teams where every voice matters. Ms. Sadaf Javed, our expert coach from quiet thrivers - Executive Coaching, and former Global Director at Unilever, shares how executive coaching helps emerging leaders navigate critical moments, unlocking their potential to drive inclusive and progressive workplaces. This International Women's Day, we challenge norms, redefine inclusivity, and expand the vision of what a leader looks like. Ready to lead with confidence and inclusivity? Join our online program for high-potential middle managers in Pakistan. ?? Register here: https://bit.ly/qtcerb25 #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #DiversityAndInclusion #InclusiveLeadership #PakistanLeaders #EmergingLeaders #QuietThrivers #IWD2025

Celebrating Women, Championing Inclusion! | IFC-PBC "Employer of Choice" Gender Diversity Awards 2025 This International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to gender diversity and inclusion — because workplaces thrive when women do. As part of our mission to drive equity and empowerment, we are excited to announce that nominations for the 4th PBC-IFC "Employer of Choice" Gender Diversity Awards 2025 are now open! These awards recognize organizations that lead in gender-equal workplaces, fostering inclusive cultures where women can grow, lead, and succeed. Showcase your commitment, benchmark your efforts with the Gender Diversity and Disclosure Scorecard, and gain industry recognition. Register by May 1st, 2025: https://lnkd.in/dSXesG-f Together, let’s create workplaces where gender equality isn’t just a goal—it’s the standard. For more information, contact Rajaa Bokhari at [email protected]. #IWD2025 #GenderEquality #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenInLeadership #EmployerOfChoice #PBC #IFC #InternationalWomensDay #GenderDiversityAwards

CERB recently hosted the Kickoff event for the Second Phase of the IFC-PBC (IFC - International Finance Corporation - The Pakistan Business Council) Climate2Equal Platform Addressing climate risks while closing gender gaps is a pressing priority for the private sector in Pakistan. Yet, companies face key challenges—normative, structural, capacity, and decision-making barriers. Through IFC-PBC Climate2Equal, businesses can take meaningful steps to overcome these hurdles and drive lasting impact. At our kickoff event, we: ? Explored actionable pledges companies can take ? Heard valuable insights from our first cohort — The Dawood Foundation & Artistic Milliners (thank you for your contributions! ??) ? Discussed expectations for companies joining this peer-learning platform Excited to continue this journey with our second round participants: Jazz Bank AL Habib Limited Atlas Honda LTD TPL Corp National Institutes of Health TATA TEXTILE MILLS International Packaging Films Limited Service Sales Corporation (Pvt.) Limited Artistic Fabric Mills ConnectHear The Hub Power Company Limited (HUBCO) Artistic Milliners FCDO Services FAO Pathfinder International BOP Exchange Iqra University (Official) Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited MG Apparel Wafi Energy Pakistan Telenor Nestlé The Dawood Foundation Descon Macpac Films Ltd For companies interested in joining the second round of IFC-PBC Climate2Equal, please reach out at [email protected]. Shazmeneh Durrani Dalia Hashish Safia Hussain Nazish Shekha #ClimateandGender #GenderResponsiveClimateAction #ClimateAction #ResponsibleBusiness #Sustainability

When does an emerging leader truly need executive coaching? ?? In this clip, Ms. Sadaf Javed, our program's expert coach and former Global Director at Unilever, shares her insights on the critical moments in a leader's journey. Discover how her approach can unlock your potential to foster inclusive and progressive work environments. Ready to elevate your leadership? Join our online program designed for high-potential middle managers in Pakistan. Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/qtcerb25 #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #DiversityandInclusion #PakistanLeaders #EmergingLeaders #QuietThrivers The Pakistan Business Council quiet thrivers - Executive Coaching