IWD 2025: Reviewing CERB’s Contributions
Centre of Excellence in Responsible Business
Moving towards long term value creation
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CERB continues highlighting business contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the CERB Sustainability Directory and the SDG Leadership Programme. To learn more about both, please email [email protected].
?Reviewing our work on Gender Inclusion for International Women's Day 2025:?
Induction of first female Chairperson at PBC
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.
Watch the full video here: youtube.com
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, here.?
For more information, contact Rajaa Bokhari at [email protected].
IFC-PBC Climate2Equal Phase 2
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 - International Finance Corporation - The Pakistan Business Council (IFC-PBC) Climate2Equal, businesses can take meaningful steps to overcome these hurdles and drive lasting impact.
At the kickoff event, we explored actionable pledges companies can take, heard valuable insights from our first cohort, The Dawood Foundation & Artistic Milliners , and discussed expectations for businesses joining this peer-learning platform. By bridging gender and climate action, we can create a more sustainable, inclusive future.
Interested in joining the next IFC-PBC Climate2Equal cohort? Contact us at [email protected].
Vulnerability: A Strength for Inclusive Leadership | #IWD2025 True leadership isn't about having all the answers-it's about embracing vulnerability as a...
CERB recently hosted a webinar featuring Sadaf Javed , expert coach at quiet thrivers - Executive Coaching and former Global Director at 联合利华 . She shared valuable insights on how executive coaching empowers emerging leaders, equipping them to navigate critical moments and unlock their full potential.
Coaching is more than leadership development—it’s about creating workplaces that are inclusive, progressive, and driven by diverse perspectives. By investing in leadership growth, organizations can build a stronger, more equitable future.
This International Women’s Day, we challenge norms, redefine inclusivity, and expand the vision of leadership.
As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, CERB led a vital conversation on how businesses can support employees facing domestic violence through well-meaning and effective policies. ?? Discover actionable initiatives to enhance employee safety and well-being. ??? Learn...
Watch full video here:?youtube.com
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).
Workshops with SDG Leaders on Gender Strategy and Leadership
National Foods & CERB Empower Future Women Leaders
National Foods Limited partnered with CERB to host Breaking Boundaries: Preparing Women for Leadership Roles, a two-day workshop aligned with UN SDG 5.
Bringing together professionals from top organizations, the sessions focused on inclusive leadership, confidence-building, and overcoming biases.
Expert facilitators and industry leaders provided actionable tools to support women's career growth and drive lasting workplace change.
The Building Blocks for Successful Gender Strategies workshop, hosted with Engro Fertilizers Ltd , provided key insights on advancing workplace gender equality.
Day 1 focused on identifying organizational gaps, setting gender-focused targets, and developing actionable plans. Engro leaders shared best practices for fostering an inclusive culture.
Day 2 featured a panel discussion on leadership buy-in, mentorship, and retention strategies, followed by a deep dive into CERB’s research on gender-equal policies.
Sessions covered training program design, gender data reporting, and transparency, equipping participants with tools to drive meaningful change.
This workshop conducted with MG Apparel in Islamabad aligned with SDG Goal 5, focusing on strengthening gender strategies and improving reporting in the textile industry.
A business case report on Gender Equality in the Workplace highlighted how inclusion drives economic growth and women’s empowerment, while interactive sessions tackled recruitment, retention, and target setting.
The "Threads of Equality" panel featured experts from UN Women Pakistan, APTMA Ireland , MG Apparel , and the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives , who emphasized collaborative partnerships and shared best practices for advancing gender diversity globally.
Published Reading Material on Gender from CERB
In Aurora’s latest article, "Shattering the Glass Ceiling," by CERB's Nazish Shekha, the author delves into the challenges and triumphs of women in leadership across Pakistan’s corporate landscape. She explores the barriers to advancement, the importance of inclusive policies, and the role of organizations in fostering gender diversity at the highest levels.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, achieving gender parity remains a critical goal for workplaces in Pakistan.
Dawn's article, "Roadmap to Gender Parity," written by CERB's Rajaa Bokhari, explores the structural and cultural barriers hindering progress and outlines key strategies for fostering equity and inclusion. From policy reforms to corporate leadership commitments, the piece highlights actionable steps that can drive lasting change.
In this article, "Society: Levelling the Playing Field," written by CERB's Nazish Shekha, Sameen Akhund and Rajaa Bukhari, featured in Dawn, authors examine the systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in the workforce and society. They highlights the urgent need for inclusive policies, workplace reforms, and societal shifts to ensure equal opportunities for all.
???Thank you for reading! We hope you have a great week!
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