LAHORE — A major employment door has opened for rural women in Punjab. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has prepared a programme called “She Thread” that will train rural women in textiles and connect them with jobs.
In the first phase, 1,150 rural women will receive textile training, and the chief minister has set a target of training 2,500 rural women by June. After completing the training, the women will also be helped into jobs in the textile industry.
During training, every trainee will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 15,000, so that learning does not become a financial burden on the family. Registration has already begun in Lahore for women from rural areas, organised by the Women Development Department.
The training covers industrial sewing machine operation and apparel supervision, and will be held at Shahkam Industries on Multan Road near Lahore. The three-month course combines classroom instruction with practical training, so that trainees are fully ready for factory work.
To apply, a woman must be aged 18 to 45, hold Punjab domicile or residence, and have at least a matriculation qualification. For registration, applicants visit Shahkam Industries with their CNIC and domicile certificate and submit an application.
After initial screening and verification of eligibility, shortlisted candidates must submit an affidavit before admission. Further registration information is available from assistant commissioners, union council secretaries and relevant district offices.
The chief minister says the aim is to make rural women eligible for dignified employment through market-based training — skills that match what the market actually needs, so that training leads to a real job, not just a certificate.