Maryam Nawaz unveils home-based skills initiative for women

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has unveiled a Rs970 million vocational training initiative designed to empower women by providing market-driven skills at their homes, her office said on Monday.

The project, titled “Skill Enhancement Through Home Reach Programme” (SEHER), is being executed by the Punjab Women Development Department.

It aims to scale up women participation in the province’s skilled labour force by providing specialised vocational training to 5,365 women across remote, semi-urban, and urban areas of Punjab.

Under the initiative, the government will focus vulnerable groups, including widows, divorcees, and women from minority communities, in an effort to bridge gender gaps in the economic sector.

“When the women of Punjab are economically empowered, the nation, and specifically Punjab, will prosper,” Maryam Nawaz said in a statement.

“We are transforming Punjab’s female population into a valuable asset by providing development opportunities directly at their doorsteps.”

Diversified Training Modules

The SEHER program is structured around three core pillars tailored to current market demands: digital technology, hospitality, and beautification services.

In partnership with the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), 2,040 women will undergo a six-month digital skills training course. To facilitate remote learning, the government is providing trainees with free laptops, internet devices, data packages, and a monthly stipend.

The curriculum covers e-commerce platforms such as Daraz and Shopify, alongside English language proficiency, product research, and financial literacy.

A cohort of 1,260 women will receive hospitality training in collaboration with Ithum, a subsidiary of the Punjab Development Company (PDCP).

The training covers culinary arts, baking, guest relations, front-desk operations, and airline management. The government confirmed that the first batch of hospitality trainees has already completed courses across major hubs including Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Gujranwala.

The programme has rolled out beautification courses for 2,065 women across four districts —Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan —in collaboration with commercial nail bars. Trainees are being upskilled in hair styling, skincare, makeup, and nail art.

Post-Training Employment

To ensure the sustainability of the programme, the Punjab government announced it will actively facilitate job placements for certified graduates to transition them smoothly into the workforce or support them in establishing home-based businesses.

“This is the first time a vocational program has reached the doorsteps of our women, and it will yield significant results,” the chief minister added.

“By completing these courses, these women can easily earn a livelihood and become financially independent, productive citizens.”