From the quaint streets of Haripur, a small town woven with the vibrant threads of Pakistani culture, emerge Marium Hussain and Farhat al-Ain. These two women have totally transcended the traditional duties that women normally have through their mastery of stitching and embroidery.
Despite limited access to modern facilities and equipment, both women became a beacon of inspiration for housewives in Haripur and nationwide. This is the story of two young ladies as they started their journeys from being local artists to more empowered and tech-enabled entrepreneurs.
Their transformational journey began with a 15-day training program that PTCL & Ufone 4G organized in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) at the KTS Vocational Training Institute. This initiative aimed to uplift women from the region, improving not just their embroidery skills but also equipping them with digital marketing skills.
Moreover, the participants also received one day of financial management training from U Microfinance Bank. All this helped Marium and Farhat al-Ain, along with other women, significantly by establishing their position in the online marketplace so that they could reach out to more potential customers beyond their local community. This has enabled them to showcase their talent to a wider and more broader audience and further hone their skills by delivering products as per the customers’ diverse needs and preferences, further enhancing their portfolio.
The 15-day training program trained 100 women in two batches, each participant receiving a daily allowance and a diploma certificate. At the end of the program, the participants were asked to showcase their unique designs and as a result, each participant designed cushions, bedsheets as well as dresses. In this friendly competition, Marium secured 1st position while Farhat al-Ain remained in the top 10.
Their designs received much praise and appreciation from the expert designers and experts, further boosting their confidence and affirming their skills.
Notably, PTCL & Ufone 4G contributed to the cause by tech enabling young women by providing them with mobile phones with internet packages so that they could have uninterrupted internet access. They’ve also helped in financial digital integration by installing the UPaisa app and activating the Daraz online account, streamlining the business’s operations.
While talking to Marium and Farhat al-Ain, they shared how this support has transformed their overall operations. They explained how they listed their products in the online Daraz stores and started getting several orders that they timely and successfully delivered through the TCS courier service. All the payments were received in their UPaisa wallet account.
Marium recounted how she used to struggle to connect with potential prospects outside Haripur and faced delays in payments. Now she is able to attract customers from various areas in Pakistan. Plus, the UPaisa wallet account has made it easier for her to receive payments directly into her account timely and without any hassle.
On the other hand, Farhat al-Ain has taken it a step further, as she extended her impact by mentoring young girls in her community, equipping them with knowledge and expert skills so that they could get on a path toward a financially independent future.
A representative from this training program shared the vision, stating: “Brands or NGOs that are coming up with such initiatives often provide one-time support while our goal is sustainability. Through such training, we enable women and have been successful as the women we train are also running their businesses prosperously. Our aim is to empower women in the long run, and that is why we have brought them here. We want them to get a spotlight on a larger level so that they can showcase their talent in front of the world. We’ll not just leave them after the training; instead, we’ll also help them secure investments to either initiate a startup or kickstart a company.”
Undoubtedly, women like Marium and Farhat al-Ain are a true asset to Pakistan. They are weaving new narratives of empowerment and financial independence, stitching together a future where women need not depend on others for their livelihood. Their journey truly sets an example for more women, inspiring them to do what they love.
