Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has introduced a Rs970 million vocational training program aimed at empowering women by delivering market-relevant skills directly to their homes. The initiative, named “Skill Enhancement Through Home Reach Programme” (SEHER), is being implemented by the Punjab Women Development Department.
The project seeks to increase female participation in Punjab’s skilled workforce by providing specialized training to 5,365 women from remote, semi-urban, and urban areas across the province. It particularly targets vulnerable groups such as widows, divorcees, and women from minority communities to help reduce gender disparities in the economic sector.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of economic empowerment for women, stating that when women in Punjab thrive financially, the entire province and nation benefit. She highlighted that the program transforms Punjab’s female population into a valuable resource by offering development opportunities at their doorsteps.
The SEHER initiative is built around three main training areas aligned with current market needs: digital technology, hospitality, and beautification services. In collaboration with the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), 2,040 women will participate in a six-month digital skills course. To support remote learning, the government is providing free laptops, internet devices, data packages, and a monthly stipend to the trainees.
The digital curriculum includes training on e-commerce platforms such as Daraz and Shopify, along with English language skills, product research, and financial literacy. Meanwhile, 1,260 women will receive hospitality training through a partnership with Ithum, a subsidiary of the Punjab Development Company (PDCP). This training covers culinary arts, baking, guest relations, front-desk operations, and airline management. Notably, the first batch of hospitality trainees has already completed their courses in major cities including Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Gujranwala.
Additionally, beautification courses have been launched for 2,065 women in four districts—Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan—in collaboration with commercial nail bars. These courses focus on hair styling, skincare, makeup, and nail art skills.
To ensure the program’s long-term impact, the Punjab government will actively assist certified graduates in securing employment or establishing home-based businesses. The chief minister remarked that this is the first vocational program to reach women at their homes and is expected to produce significant results. She added that completing these courses will enable women to earn a livelihood, achieve financial independence, and contribute productively to society.
