Acting Assistant Secretary Wells Launches Phase Two of U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells participated in the U.S. launch of the second phase of the U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council (USPWC) on September 23 on the Sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. The second phase launched by kicking off the Pakistan Million Women Mentor Initiative with a speed mentoring session.  The event was co-hosted by the USPWC, Citi, U.S.-Pakistan Business Council and convened approximately 75 leaders from the private sector, civil society, Government of Pakistan, and the U.S. government, including the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues.  Other speakers included Citi’s Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Global Treasury Trade Solutions Kristen Holden, U.S.-Pakistan Business Council President Esperanza Jelalian, and Dr. Sania Nishtar, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection.  The event follows a Pakistan launch of the second phase of the USPWC, which took place in March 2019 at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi led by Charge d’affaires Paul Jones.

The session facilitated mentoring between professional leaders and Pakistani exchange students in the United States.  It launches the new Pakistan Million Women Mentors Initiative, an effort that aims to connect one million women and girls in Pakistan to mentors over the next three years.  Citi highlighted its pledge to mentor 3,000 women and girls during the event.  Other companies that have pledged include S&P Global, The Resource Group, ZAFA Pharmaceuticals Laboratories Pvt Ltd, KFC, and PepsiCo.