The ‘International Federation of Business and Professional Women (IFBPW)’ was formed in Geneva, Switzerland in August, 1930. Its Pakistan chapter-the Karachi Business and Professional Women’s Club- was inaugurated in 1954 by Late Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan. With the passage of time, the younger lot of the club members took over the reins and soon realized that out of approximately 70 percent of country’s population living in the rural areas, as many as 60% comprised women who were making tremendous contribution in the agricultural economy. However, it was ironical that their substantial contribution never received due recognition at the government level, to the extent that women were never counted in the agricultural labor force surveys. In early 1982, countless requests from the Club’s members prompted the office bearers to suggest amendments in the constitution which were later approved by an overwhelming majority as well as Directorate of Social Welfare. In 1979, the Club acquired a new dimension when not only was it renamed as Association of Business, Professional and Agricultural Women (ABP&AW), its membership scope widened considerably – from upper class to middle and even to lower middle strata of the society. It now has an independent national status. At present, it has nine branches within the country and two link branches outside Pakistan. To its credit, the ABP & AW has been working for the development and welfare of women, children and society for the past four decades. It is a non-sectarian, non-political organization, mainly because it does not interfere in the country’s politics although it does encourage women to take an active interest in it. Briefly, its goal is to elevate the status of women and encourage them to play active role in the economic, social, and political life of their country. Philosophy of Association:
The main philosophy of association is to transfer the skills and capabilities of educated women from the developed areas to underdeveloped and unskilled women of remote areas. Aims and Objectives:
To work for the high standards of professionalism in the respective field of service. To stimulate and encourage women from all fields to realize and accept responsibilities towards the community – at local, national and international levels. To encourage women and girls to:
o Acquire education, occupational training, awareness on health care and their own well-being, and to foster better understanding amongst women of Pakistan by focusing on communities, social harmony and uniformity of ideas. o Use their occupational capabilities and intelligence for the advantage of others as well as for themselves. To work for:
o Equal opportunities and to enhance the status of women in the economic, agricultural, social and political levels. o Creating awareness among women regarding their status, rights and responsibilities. o Removal of discrimination at all levels. o Promoting worldwide friendship, cooperation and understanding between business, agriculture and professional women in promotion and support of national and international development and welfare programs. Branches of ABP&AW:
Branches of Association are spread across Pakistan from Karachi to Peshawar in multiple cities. Branches are mostly situated in big cities but their areas of work also expand to nearby villages and towns. The aim of these branches is to contribute to the welfare of agricultural women in rural areas. Therefore, the philosophy of association is to utilize the skills of professional and educated women for the welfare of poor and illiterate women. Although these branches are constituted under single umbrella yet they are completely independent in their operations. Every branch has separate bank accounts which are audited annually. Sindh
Karachi(Established with old name), 1954
Hyderabad, 1984
Sukkur, 1987
Larhkana, 1995
Punjab
Lahore, 1984
Rawalpindi (Islamabad), 1988
Faisalabad, 1991
Multan, 1991
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar, 1948
ABP&AW collects donations ONLY from friends and families and is a charity based organization. Peshawar Branch:
Branch of Peshawar was established in 1984.
