Karachi: In a significant achievement, Standard Chartered Pakistan has been recognized with two prestigious awards in June 2025, acknowledging its exceptional contributions to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Employer's Federation of Pakistan awarded the bank the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Diamond Recognition Award, highlighting its commitment to fostering a gender-inclusive environment. Additionally, the bank was lauded for its excellence in Best Accessible Documentation, Employment for Women with Disabilities, and Disability Inclusion Training and Capacity Building at the inaugural Pakistan PWDs Finclusion Awards.
According to Standard Chartered Bank, the institution has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, boasting an industry-leading diversity ratio of 29%. The bank has actively engaged in initiatives that enhance workplace inclusivity, such as sponsoring the country's largest career fair for differently-abled job seekers for the past two years. This initiative has successfully connected over 900 young individuals with more than 40 prospective employers. Furthermore, the bank has initiated the first-ever roundtable for HR heads in the banking industry to advocate for disability-confident hiring practices and has sponsored 'HuroofAccess25,' an event dedicated to the financial and workplace inclusion of persons with disabilities. In addition, staff training on sign language and the implementation of a virtual sign language interpretation application at select branches exemplify the bank's proactive approach to inclusivity.
Yasir Khwaja, Head of HR at Standard Chartered Pakistan, emphasized the significance of the bank's inclusive culture as a strategic advantage. He stated, "Our culture of inclusion is not just a core value but a strategic differentiator for us. Our inclusive practices, ranging from flexible working arrangements and equalized parental leave policies to our proactive efforts in hiring and supporting persons with disabilities, have been instrumental in maintaining our market-leading diversity ratio and ensuring financial empowerment. These efforts underscore our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive by creating enabling environments, addressing biases, and leveraging technology."