First LadiesFund Networking Luncheon Series launched

The British Deputy High Commission Karachi and Dawood Capital Management Limited (DCML) on Saturday launched Pakistan's first LadiesFund Networking Luncheon Series for professional women in Pakistan.
The LadiesFund initiative, established by Dawood Capital Management, is investment advisory services for women to facilitate the financial security of women in Pakistan and promotes women entrepreneur ship with the goal to uplift the country and tap into a highly potential unexplored segment. The focus of the lunch was to build professional friendships, mentor-ships and lobbying amongst professional and influential women in Pakistan.
The lunch also celebrated the launch of LadiesFund magazine, Pakistan's first magazine for working women and entrepreneurs. The Director Trade and Investment in Pakistan and British Deputy High Commissioner Karachi, Robert Gibson said on this occasion "We are very pleased to be able to partner with Dawood Capital Management Limited and LadiesFund in hosting this networking event for female professionals in Pakistan.
He pointed out that in the UK only 10 percent of Board Members of FTSE-100 companies are women. A London Business School study evaluates that woman's lack of exploitation of networking is key factor in this. "Oliver Williamson, Nobel Laureate for Economics 2009, evaluates that the cost of doing business significantly decreases if you do business with someone you know. So the message is clear - Get Networking! We hope these luncheons can help us achieve this goal," he added.
The funds generated from this event will be used to support initiatives for women uplift including the LadiesFund Fellowship programme and the LadiesFund Masters Scholarship programme at Karachi University. These programmes aim to give opportunities to women and girls at the grassroots level.
Dr Ishrat Hussain, Dean and Director of Institute of Business Administration (IBA) appreciated the initiative of LadiesFund to encourage and support the women in the country. The Dawood Capital Management Limited and LadiesFund CEO Ms Tara Uzra Dawood thanked the British Deputy High Commission for their friendship and overwhelming support of our initiatives at LadiesFund to energise 'The Girl Effect" in Pakistan.
"Providing world class opportunities for our talented, dynamic women will not only enhance their lives, but will also help our communities and country be truly optimised," she added. The lunch was hosted at the British Deputy High Commission, Karachi and the leading women professionals of Pakistan attended the event. The chief guest of the event, Nasreen Jalil, former Naib Nazim of Karachi was interviewed during the event by Dr lshrat Husain on women empowerment in Pakistan.