New Pak-China project aims to boost women’s economic independence

ISLAMABAD: A new chapter in China-Pakistan people-to-people cooperation began with the launch of the China-Pakistan Youth One Sphere International Women’s Training Base in Islamabad, an initiative aimed at equipping Pakistani women with practical skills to achieve sustainable economic independence.

The project, supported by the Beijing One Sphere Charity Foundation and the China-Pakistan Youth Exchange Community, was inaugurated with the donation of 30 sewing machines to establish the training facility’s foundational setup.

In addition to sewing techniques, the center plans to gradually introduce courses in basic computer literacy and Chinese pastry making to diversify income-generating opportunities for participants.

A specialized program for crafting traditional shawls will also be launched, intended both to preserve Pakistan’s cultural heritage and to develop skills that hold commercial potential.

The training program follows an intensive three-month cycle, with four sessions conducted each year and 30 participants enrolled in each session. This structure will allow the facility to train up to 120 women annually in various technical and creative fields.

The first batch of students from Islamabad and Rawalpindi has already begun classes focused on sewing, while additional modules will be introduced in the coming months.

“The ultimate goal is to provide these women with the tools they need to contribute meaningfully to their families and communities,” said Ma Bin, a representative from the organizing committee. “By combining traditional crafts with modern skills, we hope to strengthen cross-border cooperation in women’s empowerment.”