LADIESFUND® Founder Recognised for Women-Led Renewable Energy Initiatives
Tara Uzra Dawood, President of the Dawood Global Foundation and Founder of LADIESFUND Energy Pvt. Ltd., has been awarded the CAREC Gender and Green Innovation Award 2025 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The prestigious ceremony took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, celebrating leaders across Central and South Asia who are advancing gender equality through green innovation and sustainable technologies.
The CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation) Awards are jointly supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the OSCE Academy, and the Unison Group. This honour represents a remarkable global recognition for Pakistan and its women leaders driving sustainability and inclusion.
Earlier in March 2025, Ms Dawood had received national recognition from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for leading one of Pakistan’s top private companies for women, as assessed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), UNFPA, the Pakistan Business Council, and the Federal Ministry for Human Rights.
Championing Green Innovation and Women’s Empowerment
Congratulating Ms Dawood, Samantha Hung, ADB’s Director of Gender Equality and a jury member, stated, “This award recognises Tara Uzra Dawood’s visionary leadership in combining gender equality with green innovation to deliver transformative solar solutions.”
Ms Dawood’s pioneering work through LADIESFUND Energy has empowered women engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in Pakistan’s renewable energy sector. Her initiatives have focused on rooftop solarisation projects led by female engineers — an idea that initially faced scepticism but has now evolved into a thriving, sustainable enterprise.
“This honour reaffirms our belief that women’s empowerment and sustainable development are two sides of the same coin,” said Ms Dawood. “Together, we can drive meaningful change that uplifts communities while protecting our planet.”
She was also invited as a panelist at the CAREC Women’s Business Forum: Together for Green Innovation and Gender Equality, where she spoke on “From Evidence to Action – Advancing Gender and Green Innovation in CAREC Climate Pathways.”
Dr. Roman Mogilevskii, Head of the Climate and Energy Group at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Associate Director at the University of Central Asia’s Institute of Public Policy & Administration (IPPA), praised her presentation, noting her “impressive insights and delivery.”
LADIESFUND® and LADIESFUND Energy: Leading Pakistan’s Green Transition
Established under the Dawood Global Foundation, LADIESFUND® is Pakistan’s leading platform for women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. Since its inception, it has trained and mentored tens of thousands of women nationwide, fostering leadership, innovation, and sustainable enterprise aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
LADIESFUND Energy Pvt. Ltd., Pakistan’s first women-led renewable energy company, focuses on empowering women in the solar and green energy sectors. Its projects combine environmental sustainability with economic empowerment, ensuring women play a key role in the country’s shift toward clean, inclusive energy solutions.
The CAREC Gender and Green Innovation Award 2025 underscores Ms Dawood’s enduring commitment to bridging gender equality and environmental responsibility — positioning Pakistan as a regional leader in women-driven sustainability and green transformation.
