KARACHI: In a groundbreaking shift for the traditionally conservative Tharparkar region of Sindh, Pakistan, women are stepping into roles previously dominated by men, marking a significant step toward socio-economic transformation in the desert region.
Seventy women are now employed as dump truck drivers, while 21 others are working in solar maintenance, thanks to initiatives under the Thar Block II Project operated by the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company.
One of them, Saima Junejo from Umerkot, is among the first batch of women trained and employed as heavy dump truck drivers. “There was some hesitation from my parents, but my two brothers supported my decision,” she shared. Now based in Karachi for work, Junejo believes involving rural women in diverse job sectors is key to Pakistan’s broader socio-economic development. “What once seemed unusual has now become a routine part of life for us,” she said.
The women received proper training before their employment, said Umair Pervez Khan, secretary of the Consortium of Asia Pacific Studies (CAPS), which is involved in the training process. “Our goal is to ensure women’s inclusion in sustainable development projects,” he noted.
Khan added that training programs are expanding to other sectors, including textiles, energy, and security. Notably, 191 women have recently completed training and joined Sindh’s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) security force.
“This initiative is about challenging entrenched gender norms and creating new opportunities in male-dominated fields,” Khan explained. Similar efforts are also underway in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where women are being encouraged to enter traditionally male professions.
