Islamabad, Dec 3: The esteemed UN Women 2024 Asia-Pacific Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Award in the Leadership Commitment category has been given to Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO of Telenor Pakistan. This recognition demonstrates his unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and gender-equal workplace atmosphere.
Telenor Pakistan effectively executed a comprehensive range of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities that align with the organization’s strategic goals under the direction of Khurrum Ashfaque. To boost female representation throughout the company, notable initiatives including “Parvaaz” for female sales trainees and “Naya Aghaaz” for returning female professionals were implemented.
Furthermore, customized programs such as “EmpowHer for Today” and “EmpowHer to Lead” were created to improve the abilities and leadership potential of women at different phases of their careers. A friendly and inclusive atmosphere for female talent has been created by these measures as well as the adoption of policies like flexible work schedules and increased daycare and transportation benefits.
Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, commented on the accomplishment, saying: “At Telenor Pakistan, we think gender equality is both a moral necessity and an economic advantage. Our dedication to creating a culture where everyone has an equal chance to succeed extends beyond our policies.
We prioritize mentorship programs, empowering women in traditionally male-dominated fields, leadership development, and promoting digital inclusion in rural communities. The combined efforts of our partners and individuals are reflected in this award. I am appreciative of UN Women for this honor, which motivates us to keep pushing boundaries and shattering barriers.
The private sector’s efforts to gender equality and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are honored by the UN Women Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards. Individuals and groups making noteworthy progress in establishing gender-inclusive communities and workplaces are recognized in the Leadership Commitment category. The UN Global Compact and UN Women launched the WEPs framework in 2010 as a roadmap for businesses looking to adopt gender-sensitive practices.
This acknowledgment emphasizes how important leadership is to promoting systemic change and gender equality. Khurrum Ashfaque is a perfect example of how business executives may make significant strides toward a more diversified and sustainable future by emphasizing inclusivity and equitable practices.
