Sightsavers hosted a special screening on November 5 in Islamabad to showcase success stories from its Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment and Entrepreneurship (RISE/E) project. Held at the Ramada Hotel, the event titled “Creating and Celebrating Opportunities for Young Persons with Disabilities” aimed to recognize the achievements of young people and emphasize the need for equal work opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The screening featured individuals who demonstrated how access to support, skills development, and opportunities can help persons with disabilities achieve economic independence and professional goals. The program also included a panel discussion called “From Skills to Decent Work: Building an Inclusive Employment Ecosystem,” where participants explored the obstacles persons with disabilities face and the responsibilities of policymakers, employers, and training institutions in removing those barriers.
Syeda Munazza Gillani, Director for Pakistan and the Middle East at Sightsavers, stated that creating equal employment opportunities requires more than just skills training. She noted it requires an enabling environment where employers recognize talent, workplaces are accessible, and young people have the support to pursue ambitions. Gillani added that real-life stories are powerful tools for changing perceptions, challenging stereotypes, and inspiring action toward greater inclusion.
Other speakers at the event emphasized that true inclusion requires a shift in mindsets to recognize abilities and the creation of an inclusive economy that links skills development directly to employment. The program featured an open-mic session for participants to share reflections and discuss practical steps for a more inclusive ecosystem.
The event concluded with a call to action and a pledge-signing activity to encourage stakeholders to turn their commitments into meaningful action. The RISE/E initiative specifically works to improve access to sustainable employment and entrepreneurship for young persons with disabilities by strengthening their skills and readiness while encouraging stakeholders to address existing barriers.
