Public Domain Picture: 15 Nov - Development of gender strategy for USAID Power Distribution Program

USAID Power Distribution Program as part of its improvement plans for DISCOs has also initiated the improvement of Gender Strategy across all DISCOs with an aim to transform the DISCOs into being viewed as a welcoming environment for women. Following the request from USAID Power Distribution Program, each DISCO nominated a focal person to liaison with USAID Power Distribution Program. The focal persons and their colleagues from 7 DISCOs participated in the first and unique all day consultative meeting held at USAID Power Distribution Program Head Office, Islamabad which was a first ever opportunity of its kind that brought DISCO women together. The participants identified the gaps in the policies related to gender equity and were provided an opportunity to discuss various gender related issues, covering harassments at work place; identification of the training needs for improving career paths for the female work force of DISCOs; the improvement of work place environment in DISCOs such as adding women's prayer to attract young educated women to opt for employment opportunities, like engineers, revenue and account officers, customer services; HR and administration and other issues pertaining to gender equality in a modern workplace environment. The workshop focused on the ways to improve DISCO gender policies and practices that will promote DISCOs' image as a better workplace for women staff. Discussions were also held to enhance the contribution of women in improving DISCO’s performance.

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Gender, Pdp, Usaid

April 29, 2014