Iqra University recently had the honour of hosting a thought-provoking session on “Women Empowerment in Business & Entrepreneurship” in collaboration with the Department of Information and Socio-Cultural Affairs of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, Karachi. The distinguished guest speaker, Mr. Arie Poluzzi, Consul for Information and Socio-Cultural Affairs, was accompanied by Mr. Ali Nur Ahmad and Ms. Ramsha Hussain Khan, staff members from the Indonesian Consulate.
This interactive workshop provided students, particularly aspiring female entrepreneurs, with valuable insights into gender equality, inclusive leadership, and the role of women in economic development. Mr. Poluzzi shared Indonesia’s inspiring progress in women’s empowerment, drawing comparisons between the cultural and socio-demographic similarities of Pakistan and Indonesia.
He highlighted that while both countries have nearly equal gender distribution—Indonesia at 49.77% and Pakistan at 49.2%—Indonesia has made significant strides in enabling women’s participation in the economy. Women in Indonesia own 53% of micro-enterprises, and their contribution to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector forms 61% of the country’s GDP. Furthermore, Indonesia boasts 21.9% women’s representation in its parliament, and the nation also had its first female president, Megawati Sukarnoputri, which is a testament to its political inclusivity.
The session also included a lively Q&A segment, where students engaged in an open dialogue with Mr. Poluzzi, discussing real-world challenges and opportunities for women in the professional sphere. The discussion emphasised that Pakistani women hold immense potential, but greater structural support and policy-driven encouragement are needed to elevate their participation in the workforce and entrepreneurial ventures.
The speaker urged students and educators to learn from Indonesia’s success stories, reinforcing that transformative change is achievable—even within traditional societies—through policy, perseverance, and inclusive leadership.
Iqra University continues to serve as a platform for global conversations that inspire action, ignite ambition, and empower future leaders, especially women, to create meaningful impact in business and beyond.
