KARACHI: After facing discrimination at work because of her newborn son, Secil Sendag, a board member of the Turkish Women’s Entrepreneurs Association, said that it was then she decided to be a part of the change.

Speaking at the 8th International Women Leaders Summit at a hotel here on Tuesday, Ms Sendag said she was handling PR for a big company in her early 30s and thought she was doing well till a few years later when she gave birth to her first child.

“I decided to attend a press conference they were holding — which I thought was important — two weeks after I gave birth. I had my mother wait with the baby in the car and to call me if there were any issues. Of course, the baby got hungry and I had to go to feed him. In my head, I thought I was doing something great,” she said, adding that her colleagues, however, did not agree.

“They told me I wasn’t ready and I should stay at home because I was too much of a mum…It was then that I realised that somebody needs to do something for the women of my country,” she said.

Ms Sendag is currently running a PR company and focusing on women empowerment, financial literacy for women and employment.

With examples of her time in the media and corporate world, she discussed the importance of friendship and support. She also discussed the Syrian refugee crisis in Turkey.

Ms Sendag’s talk was followed by a presentation by Sindh Engro Coal Mining CEO Shamsuddin Shaikh.

Mr Shaikh started the session with a visual presentation of Engro’s projects in Thar with backup vocals by Faakhir and Mai Dhai.

He discussed the Thari woman, change, livelihood and employment in the area. He said that early on, they realised that the Thari woman would be able to do more than a man — which was why they decided to create jobs for them. That was how Engro decided to train women how to drive dumper trucks.

Once they placed an advertisement in the newspapers, Mr Shaikh said that people made fun of them but when the responses started to pour in, they realised they had taken the right step.

He also introduced the audience to Lata, one of Engro’s first female dumper drivers.

This was followed by a panel discussion on gender inclusiveness in organisations moderated by URS CEO Ali Khan.

Maj Gen Nigar Johar, the vice principal of the Army Medical College, gave the keynote address which was followed by several speeches, presentations, panel discussions and mentorship sessions.

Speakers included ambassadors, CEOs, UN representatives and others.

The event was organised to recognise that women in leadership roles offer a diversity of thought which is integral for success and essential to bridge the gender divide.

The summit is also focused at providing leadership development insight that encourages, cultivates and harnesses the talent of women to innovate and enhance their professional lives.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2018