KARACHI, Jun 07 (APP):Daraz, Pakistan’s biggest online marketplace, was announced as the winner of the Employer of Choice for Gender Diversity Awards, organized on Tuesday jointly by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) to improve economic opportunities for women.
The awards, which are supported by UK Aid, celebrate private sector employers in the country committed to empowering women in the workplace. Companies are judged on five key gender principles—promoting gender equality at leadership and policy level; ensuring a diverse workforce; eliminating gender pay gaps; creating an optimal workplace culture; and providing coaching and mentoring for women employees.
The awards aim to recognize firms that have not only implemented strong gender diversity policies, but also communicate them—in annual reports, websites, or through social media—to encourage others to do the same. Daraz PK received the highest score using the scorecard developed by IFC and the Pakistan Business Council.
“We believe companies can attract the best talent by implementing gender inclusive policies and disclosure practices,” said Ehsan Malik, CEO of the Pakistan Business Council.
He said the awards gave a unique chance to work with some of Pakistan’s biggest companies to help improve the working environment and opportunities for women in the workplace.
Ehsan Malik felicitated Daraz and the other winners for their commitment to gender equal workplaces.
In tandem with the awards, IFC and the PBC produced a guide for companies on how to effectively develop and disclose gender diversity policies in line with the awards’ principles, he said.
Zeeshan Sheikh, IFC’s Country Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan said public information on gender-related policies is increasingly important for both investors, potential employees, and other stakeholders when evaluating companies.
He added “We have been working closely with the Pakistan Business Council to help firms implement gender diversity policies and targets and publicly disclose this information to affirm their commitment – the award ceremony is an important recognition of companies leading the way in this regard”.
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, works to reduce gaps between men and women in the private sector, enabling companies and economies to improve their performance.
The second and third place were awarded to K-Electric and Engro Fertilizers Ltd, respectively, while sevencompanies received honorable mention awards. They were Nestle Pakistan Ltd; Engro Vopak & Elengy Terminals; Engro Polymer & Chemicals; Pepsico; MG Apparel; Telenor Pakistan; and English Biscuit Manufacturers.
