BY S.T.S.
Karachi: LADIESFUND Energy empowers female engineers in Pakistan
through solarization project in which an all-female team of women
engineers trained and certified by NED installed 24 KW 6 lithium
battery system on the rooftop of Hooseini Yateem Khana. This was the
first solar roof installation by a female in Pakistan’s history and to
our knowledge, the first all-female team solar roof installation in
the world. A ceremony commemorating this milestone was held of the
rooftop of Hooseini Yateem Khana with backdrop full view of the solar
panels and system, and tours of the wafq orphanage (founded by Hoosein
Kassam Dada in 1952) and wafq orphan school afterwards.
The vocational NED certified training of 28 women engineers was a
project by Dawood Global Foundation (DGF) for women empowerment and
inclusivity in the entire sector. LADIESFUND Energy Pvt. Ltd was the
Implementation Partner for this project and with the support of KFW
and developpp designed the training and modules as well as engaged
these women as interns and installers and conducted the solar
installation by this entire female team. The NED training in “Solar
Roof Installation” conducted by Dr. Mohsin Aman was world class with
cutting edge equipment and LADIESFUND Energy designed a top notch
solar roof installation and system for the orphanage. There were 86
female engineers waitlisted for this course, and DGF plans to do its
next batch with girls from Interior Sindh. With the support of KFW DEG
Impulse and developpp, hands-on training for female engineers in the
installation of the solar system at an orphanage, facilitated by five
exceptional LADIESFUND female engineers – Areeba Rashid, Eman Batool,
Farhan Anjum, Muskan Iqbal, and Rahimeen Haider Ali – who became the
first women in Pakistan’s history to be paid for solar roof
installation and they are LADIESFUND Energy installers.
Tara Uzra Dawood, CEO of LADIESFUND Energy, emphasized the dual
objective of the initiative: not only to train and hire these female
engineers for LADIESFUND but also to act as a feeder to the broader
energy sector. She extended a warm invitation for wider participation,
emphasizing the cause of promoting female representation in the sector
and contributing to a better environmental landscape in Pakistan. “We
especially want to thank Hooseini Yateem Khana for believing in women
engineers to install, KE/KSolar for their hands on supervision as this
is a first project, and so many other people who have helped behind
the scenes.”
LADIESFUND successfully organized a certification course for 28 female
engineering students from NED University. These students have also
been invited to The Buraq Center by LADIESFUND for practical and
safety training, conducted by notable experts such as Sir Hashim, a
renowned solar entrepreneur, and Mr. Muhammad Fida from K-Solar.
Additionally, key participants from K-Electric, including Ms. Alia and
Ms. Warda, have contributed to the 10-day practical and theoretical
training program, serving as mentors alongside K-Solar professionals.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Honourable Mayor of Karachi graced the
occasion as Chief Guest, stating, “On behalf of the City of Karachi, I
am so proud of our courageous dynamic female engineers of LADIESFUND
Energy, the first ever female installers in Pakistan. Best wishes to
you all!
Mayor Wahab pledged 1) for the Government as well as KMC to fund the
training of 100 women engineers in solarization by Dawood Global
Foundation at NED or to provide the land and funds to build a
vocational training school by Dawood Global Foundation for STEM
vocational training 2) LADIESFUND Energy to pitch for their current
tender to solarize KMC building.
“I am so excited to have been part of this first installation by a
woman,” said Eman Batool, one of the LADIESFUND Energy installers, who
installed the orphanage roof, and also represented LADIESFUND Energy
at the USAID Stem Career Expo in Islamabad last week, “Thank you
LADIESFUND Energy and also thank you to DGF for believing in us and
training us.”
The 28 girls were engineers and engineering students from Dawood
University of Engineering & Technology, NED University, and Usman
Institute including Aimen Talha, Alina Malick, Alishba Khan, Amna
Muktar, Areeba Nasir, Areeba Rashid, Muskan Iqbal, Arooba Iraqui, Eman
Batool, Eng Iqra Gul, Fahmeen Murtaza, Farhat Anjum, Fatima Abbas,
Hafiza Haya Reham, Iqra Jamali, Marium Afzal, Marium Nadeem, Minha
Qureshi, Qirat Fatima, Rahimeen Haider Ali, Sabahat Maqbool, Sakina
Batool, Samra Gul, Shagufta Badar, Sidra Laiq, as well as non-engineer
Tara Uzra Dawood herself, who was also trained and certified by NED.
Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Sindh Minister of Culture, sent a message, “As
a Proud Sindhi from Mirpurkhas, I am very happy to see our girls
rising, especially the LADIESFUND Energy female installers from
Sanghir and Nawabshah. I am most impressed that Dawood Global
Foundation ensured the training of 28 female engineers in solar
installion and next plan to do a batch of girl engineers from Interior
Sindh.”
Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Honourable Sindh Minister for Energy & P&D,
sent a special message from Islamabad, stating, “On behalf of the
Sindh Government, I am deeply proud of these talented Pakistani women
engineers. They truly bring honour to our nation! We wish them every
success in their careers and take inspiration from their courage.”
Prominent industry figures such as Ayaz Dawood, Syed Kumail Hyder Shah
(son of Nasir Shah as well as Lord Mayor Sukkur), Haseeb Khan, Sindh
Ministry of Climate Change Ayhan Bhutto (a donor to the project),
Mehfooz Qazi (World Bank), Shanaz Ramzi, Naeem Qureshi (from Sindh
Energy Department), Sikander Dada, Hussein Dada, Hanila Dada, Syed
Aamir Sajjad, Ahsan Mehanti, Samia Mufti, Dr. Mohsin Aman, attended
the training sessions and/or closing ceremony. The 28 engineers,
hailing from, received comprehensive training aimed at enhancing their
skills and knowledge in the energy sector.
Mr. Ayyan Bhutto, a representative from the Sindh Ministry of Climate
Change, commended Tara Uzra Dawood and the young female engineers for
their efforts. He pledged continued support for this initiative in the
broader interest of the country.
The project is now fully completed and the orphanage is powered by
hybrid solar battery and grid. Tara Uzra Dawood affirmed that the
mission will continue with the ongoing support of DGF, LADIESFUND, and
KfW DEG Impulse and developpp, ensuring sustained progress in
empowering female engineers and promoting sustainable energy
solutions.
Other supporters of this project include Starlinks PR, Depilex, Chop
Chop Wok and Cups’n’Cakes.
