LADIESFUND Energy empowers female engineers in Pakistan through solarization project in which an all-female team of women engineers trained and certified by NED installed 24 KW 6 lithium battery system on the rooftop of Hooseini Yateem Khana. This was the first solar roof installation by a female in Pakistan’s history and to our knowledge, the first all-female team solar roof installation in the world. A ceremony commemorating this milestone was held of the rooftop of Hooseini Yateem Khana with backdrop full view of the solar panels and system, and tours of the wafq orphanage (founded by Hoosein Kassam Dada in 1952) and wafq orphan school afterwards.
The vocational NED certified training of 28 women engineers was a project by Dawood Global Foundation (DGF) for women empowerment and inclusivity in the entire sector. LADIESFUND Energy Pvt. Ltd was the Implementation Partner for this project and with the support of KFW and developpp designed the training and modules as well as engaged these women as interns and installers and conducted the solar installation by this entire female team. The NED training in “Solar Roof Installation” conducted by Dr. Mohsin Aman was world class with cutting edge equipment and LADIESFUND Energy designed a top notch solar roof installation and system for the orphanage. There were 86 female engineers waitlisted for this course, and DGF plans to do its next batch with girls from Interior Sindh. With the support of KFW DEG Impulse and developpp, hands-on training for female engineers in the installation of the solar system at an orphanage, facilitated by five exceptional LADIESFUND female engineers – Areeba Rashid, Eman Batool, Farhan Anjum, Muskan Iqbal, and Rahimeen Haider Ali – who became the first women in Pakistan’s history to be paid for solar roof installation and they are LADIESFUND Energy installers.
Tara Uzra Dawood, CEO of LADIESFUND Energy, emphasized the dual objective of the initiative: not only to train and hire these female engineers for LADIESFUND but also to act as a feeder to the broader energy sector. She extended a warm invitation for wider participation, emphasizing the cause of promoting female representation in the sector and contributing to a better environmental landscape in Pakistan. “We especially want to thank Hooseini Yateem Khana for believing in women engineers to install, KE/KSolar for their hands on supervision as this is a first project, and so many other people who have helped behind the scenes.”
LADIESFUND successfully organized a certification course for 28 female engineering students from NED University. These students have also been invited to The Buraq Center by LADIESFUND for practical and safety training, conducted by notable experts such as Sir Hashim, a renowned solar entrepreneur, and Mr. Muhammad Fida from K-Solar. Additionally, key participants from K-Electric, including Ms. Alia and Ms. Warda, have contributed to the 10-day practical and theoretical training program, serving as mentors alongside K-Solar professionals.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Honourable Mayor of Karachi graced the occasion as Chief Guest, stating, “On behalf of the City of Karachi, I am so proud of our courageous dynamic female engineers of LADIESFUND Energy, the first ever female installers in Pakistan. Best wishes to you all!
Mayor Wahab pledged 1) for the Government as well as KMC to fund the training of 100 women engineers in solarization by Dawood Global Foundation at NED or to provide the land and funds to build a vocational training school by Dawood Global Foundation for STEM vocational training 2) LADIESFUND Energy to pitch for their current tender to solarize KMC building.
“I am so excited to have been part of this first installation by a woman,” said Eman Batool, one of the LADIESFUND Energy installers, who installed the orphanage roof, and also represented LADIESFUND Energy at the USAID Stem Career Expo in Islamabad last week, “Thank you LADIESFUND Energy and also thank you to DGF for believing in us and training us.”
The 28 girls were engineers and engineering students from Dawood University of Engineering & Technology, NED University, and Usman Institute including Aimen Talha, Alina Malick, Alishba Khan, Amna Muktar, Areeba Nasir, Areeba Rashid, Muskan Iqbal, Arooba Iraqui, Eman Batool, Eng Iqra Gul, Fahmeen Murtaza, Farhat Anjum, Fatima Abbas, Hafiza Haya Reham, Iqra Jamali, Marium Afzal, Marium Nadeem, Minha Qureshi, Qirat Fatima, Rahimeen Haider Ali, Sabahat Maqbool, Sakina Batool, Samra Gul, Shagufta Badar, Sidra Laiq, as well as non-engineer Tara Uzra Dawood herself, who was also trained and certified by NED.
Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Sindh Minister of Culture, sent a message, “As a Proud Sindhi from Mirpurkhas, I am very happy to see our girls rising, especially the LADIESFUND Energy female installers from Sanghir and Nawabshah. I am most impressed that Dawood Global Foundation ensured the training of 28 female engineers in solar installion and next plan to do a batch of girl engineers from Interior Sindh.”
Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Honourable Sindh Minister for Energy & P&D, sent a special message from Islamabad, stating, “On behalf of the Sindh Government, I am deeply proud of these talented Pakistani women engineers. They truly bring honour to our nation! We wish them every success in their careers and take inspiration from their courage.”
Prominent industry figures such as Ayaz Dawood, Syed Kumail Hyder Shah (son of Nasir Shah as well as Lord Mayor Sukkur), Haseeb Khan, Sindh Ministry of Climate Change Ayhan Bhutto (a donor to the project), Mehfooz Qazi (World Bank), Shanaz Ramzi, Naeem Qureshi (from Sindh Energy Department), Sikander Dada, Hussein Dada, Hanila Dada, Syed Aamir Sajjad, Ahsan Mehanti, Samia Mufti, Dr. Mohsin Aman, attended the training sessions and/or closing ceremony. The 28 engineers, hailing from, received comprehensive training aimed at enhancing their skills and knowledge in the energy sector.
Mr. Ayyan Bhutto, a representative from the Sindh Ministry of Climate Change, commended Tara Uzra Dawood and the young female engineers for their efforts. He pledged continued support for this initiative in the broader interest of the country.
The project is now fully completed and the orphanage is powered by hybrid solar battery and grid. Tara Uzra Dawood affirmed that the mission will continue with the ongoing support of DGF, LADIESFUND, and KfW DEG Impulse and developpp, ensuring sustained progress in empowering female engineers and promoting sustainable energy solutions.
Other supporters of this project include Starlinks PR, Depilex, Chop Chop Wok and Cups’n’Cakes.
