UN Women honours SAFCO founder for championing women’s economic empowerment

HYDERABAD: Dr Muhammad Suleman G. Abro, founder and chief executive officer of SAFCO, has been named first runner-up in the Leadership and Commitment category at the Pakistan Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards 2026, organised by UN Women in recognition of his more than four decades of work towards women’s economic empowerment.

To celebrate the achievement, SAFCO Microfinance Company hosted a reception in Dr Abro’s honour at its head office in Hyderabad. The gathering was attended by Managing Director Syed Sajjad Ali Shah, Bashir Ahmed Abro and the organisation’s female and male staff members.

The awards ceremony, held for the first time in Pakistan, took place on November 3 at the Mohatta Palace Museum in Karachi. Sindh Senior Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah attended as chief guest and presented the award to Dr Abro. Dedicating the recognition to working and underprivileged women, Dr Abro stressed the need to continue efforts for women’s rights, education, healthcare and economic independence.

Addressing the reception, Syed Sajjad Ali Shah said UN Women had invited applications for the awards in March 2026. SAFCO submitted a detailed case study outlining its policies, gender action plan, leadership training programmes for women, women-focused branches and Women Incubation Centre. The organisation was subsequently asked to provide additional documents and supporting evidence. In October, a five-member jury also conducted an in-depth interview on Dr Abro’s leadership and work.

He said the recognition reflected Dr Abro’s personal vision, his longstanding commitment to women’s social and economic advancement, and the collective efforts of the organisation.

Dr Suleman Abro said the award was not the achievement of an individual but the result of four decades of collective struggle and teamwork. He said efforts to advance women’s rights, human rights, education, healthcare and economic independence had been carried out in Pakistan and several other South Asian countries.

He observed that dreams could become reality only through practical struggle and sustained effort. Dedicating the award to working and underprivileged women, he noted that many women in rural areas and informal settlements still lacked access to education, healthcare and other basic facilities, yet continued to strive for better lives.

Leadership, he said, was not merely about personal advancement but about creating opportunities for others, developing their potential and preparing a new generation of leaders.

Other speakers praised Dr Abro’s four-decade-long struggle, particularly his contributions to women’s economic development, social justice and empowerment. They also highlighted SAFCO’s initiatives to promote women’s financial independence, leadership opportunities and participation in business and economic activities.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Jai Prakash, Harish Kumar, Rameez Iqbal, Sunil Kumar, Naveed Memon, Mujeeb Narejo, Wajid Junejo, Habibullah Khilji, Mashooq Qureshi, Shaukat Abro, Absar Abro, Mufti Arsalan, Tanveer Soomro, Fahad Hussain, Arsala Anjum, Falak Ali, Kashaf Bhatti, Sanam Mughal, Hafsa Sheikh, Naila Memon, Aqsa Sheikh, YasrabRajput, Jiya Bhatia and Maliha Khaskheli.

The reception concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony. Guests presented Dr Abro with traditional Sindhi ajraks, lungis and bouquets.