LAHORE: Women need access to markets, financial literacy, networks and opportunities to grow their businesses if skills training is to translate into lasting economic gains.

This was stated by Saman Rai, secretary of the Punjab Women Development Department, while speaking at the conclusion of a two-year Home Chefs Project.

The initiative trained more than 8,000 aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, including nearly 7,200 women, across eight cities.

“Such initiatives help create an enabling environment where women can translate their talents into meaningful and sustainable economic participation,” Ms Rai said.

The participants received training in culinary skills, financial management, digital marketing, business planning, e-commerce and customer engagement.

The initiative was implemented by CARE Pakistan with funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Gull Sadia, assistant country director at CARE Pakistan, said the training had helped women build confidence and improve their ability to manage and expand their enterprises.

The closing ceremony featured a marketplace where the participants displayed their products.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026