Karachi: Unilever Pakistan, in collaboration with NOWPDP and the Pakistan Business Council, hosted a roundtable discussion focused on advancing education and employment prospects for people with disabilities across Pakistan. The event, titled UpliftingU, aimed to foster dialogue among multiple stakeholders to address the integration of persons with disabilities into the workforce and the necessary systemic reforms.

The session was held at Unilever Pakistan's Head Office, where participants examined ways to incorporate the abilities of people with disabilities into the workforce. The roundtable featured a context-setting segment followed by open discussions that identified barriers and gaps in inclusive educational infrastructure and underscored the need for collaboration between industry, academia, and the development sector.

During the proceedings, NOWPDP announced a new capability building program, developed in partnership with Unilever Pakistan. This initiative seeks to expand skill development opportunities and enhance employability for people with disabilities, marking a significant step in promoting disability inclusion and supporting national priorities for equitable access to education and employment.

Sanam Sheikh, HR Head for Unilever Pakistan, addressed the ongoing inequalities faced by people with disabilities, emphasizing the need for accessible environments. She highlighted the reality that, despite a large population of 27 million people with disabilities in Pakistan, few have access to higher education or employment due to inaccessible environments.

Nazish Shekha from the Pakistan Business Council's research platform, CERB, highlighted the necessity for institutional readiness. She stressed the importance of addressing accessibility and infrastructure issues to achieve true diversity and equal opportunity.

Omair Ahmad, CEO of NOWPDP, underscored the importance of early intervention and societal acceptance for inclusion. He noted the role of parents and the need for institutions to clearly identify limitations and develop solutions through policy making, advocating for dedicated policies to drive systemic change.

The UpliftingU roundtable reinforced the importance of mainstreaming education and capabilities for people with disabilities as a national priority, aiming to strengthen Pakistan's talent landscape and contribute to economic resilience while fostering inclusive opportunities in society.