Fatima Yoshida: One Year of Empowering Women in Sialkot’s Business World

Sialkot — At the end of September, an inspiring milestone was reached as a dynamic member of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sialkot completed her first year in a two-year term as an Executive Member. Reflecting on the journey, Fatima Yoshida shared candid insights from a year spent in boardrooms alongside industrialists, policymakers, bureaucrats, and politicians — all focused on shaping a stronger future for women in business.

“It’s been a year of learning, advocating, and showing up with purpose,” she shared enthusiastically. “And I’m just getting started!”

Her key takeaways highlight both the challenges and the immense potential of women in Pakistan’s business landscape.

“Women are fully capable — we just underestimate ourselves,” Fatima Yoshida noted, emphasizing how confidence attracts opportunity. She also believes that success begins when we speak our goals out loud and back them with consistent action: ‘Intention + continued action = accomplishment.’

While acknowledging that the industry remains male-dominated, she urged women to embrace both strength and empathy. “To thrive, we must balance masculine traits like assertiveness and strategy with our feminine intuition and emotional intelligence,” she said.

She also pointed out that meaningful change is underway. “Yes, there’s still a gap, but there’s genuine effort to bridge it. The government, NGOs, and global organizations are creating opportunities — we just need to seek and use them.”

Her experience also reinforced one important truth: professionalism earns respect. “If you’re competent and professional, most men will respect you. Those who don’t — their bias says more about them than it does about you.”

Ending on an optimistic note, Fatima Yoshida added, “The future is female — not just a slogan, but a strategic reality. Businesses that empower women will lead; those that don’t will be left behind.”

As Fatima Yoshida steps into her second year, her message is clear — women in Sialkot and beyond are not just participants in the business world; they are shaping its future.